Fedor’s Manager, Vadim Finkelchtein, released a statement today in regards to the Matter:
“We consulted with Fedor and it was decided that he should not leave the sport in this way. His friends and past opponents support Fedor in continuing his career and he agreed. We want to organize a fight for Fedor in Russia and have already begun working in this direction. If everything goes as planned, we will produce a card in Moscow or St. Petersburg sometime in the fall with Fedor as the main event. In addition to the fight in Russia, we’re also working with our Japanese contacts to organize a New Year’s Eve event in Japan that Fedor would participate in as well. If all is successful, in 2012 we’ll be back in the U.S. All these ideas are being developed right now and we want to work exactly according to this plan.â€
Now cut from the ZUFFA fold, Emelianenko and his management are free to resume his pre-Strikeforce business handlings of mismatched opposition and get their fighter back in the win column.
While he may no longer be relevant in the world’s heavyweight rankings, Emelianenko still has a cult following of fans across the globe which will allow the M-1 guys to continue milking their cash-cow.
