Fedor (photo) decided to cancel his retirement and return to the ring. Photo: Disclosure
When Fedor Emelianenko frustrated MMA fans, who expected his deal with the UFC, and announced that he would return to the ring at the Japanese event run by former PRIDE owner Nobuyuki Sakakibara, many wondered why the Russian hadn't signed with the biggest event on the planet. But it seems that Fedor there was not just one reason, but 10 million.
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According to journalist Dave Meltzer, from the North American website “Wrestling Observer”, Emelianenko signed a contract to earn US$ 2,5 million (R$ 9,9 million at the current price). “Japanese sources reported that the show will be hosted at the Saitama Super Arena and also reported that Fedor will be guaranteed US$2,5 million for the fight, which tells us why he has not signed with the UFC – as it is guaranteed and possibly he he will still face a weaker opponent than in the UFC. The UFC had been negotiating with him and it seems they were close to closing, but he signed for two fights with the Sakakibara group event. The show is believed to be financed by a foreign oil investor who already has a stake in the MMA business. Whether he agreed to invest for an event or for the usual promotion, however, is unknown,” he said.
At 38, Fedor Emelianenko has a professional record of 34 wins, four losses and one fight without result. PRIDE heavyweight champion from 2003 until the end of the event in 2007, Fedor maintained one of the longest undefeated streaks in history, after going without being defeated between 2000 and 2010. The “Last Emperor”'s unbeaten streak came to an end with the surprising submission suffered in the first round for the Brazilian Fabricio Werdum in Strikeforce, to this day one of the biggest upsets in the history of MMA.
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