Why Did Fedor Emelianenko Never Fight For The UFC?

 

 

Image – Skysports

Fedor Emelianenko is among the best professional fighters to have fought for the UFC. Having competed for over two decades, Fedor Emalianenko has fought for many prominent MMA promotions. From the glory years of Pride to the more modern organizations such as Strikeforce and Bellator MMA, hardcore MMA fans are very familiar with the legacy of Fedor Emalianko.

Someone regarded as one of the best to fight for PRIDE, it seemed at first that Fedor Emalianenko was a shoo-in to join the UFC down the line. But unfortunately, a potential Fedor Emalianenko UFC run never panned out.

Fedor Emalianenko vs. Brock Lesnar For The UFC Heavyweight Championship?

Furthermore, while Fedor Emalianenko never fought for the UFC, there were attempts to sign him to the organization. After the discontinuation of PRIDE in 2007, many former PRIDE fighters came to the UFC. And especially during the late 2000s and early 2010s, when the UFC’s PPV business was booming, bringing in Fedor Emalianenko would’ve been a big box-office hit for the UFC.

There was also talk of Fedor Emalianenko coming to UFC to face World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar at AT&T Stadium. If Fedor Emalianenko were to join the UFC, a match between him and Brock Lesnar would be a “dream match” that could’ve been a reality.

Image – Fight Sports

Why Did Fedor Emelianenko Never Fight For The UFC?

However, despite Fedor Emalianenko potentially bringing big business for the UFC, he and the company could never agree to a deal. There have been many theories about why Fedor Emalianenko never signed with the UFC.

For instance, in a 2013 interview with WHOA! TV(h/t MMAFighting), Fedor Emalianenko claimed that UFC president Dana White hated him. Fedor Emelianenko would cite past insults Dana White would throw at him in the past. He also asserted negotiations with the company were “just talk.”

However, it’s worth noting that Dana White has expressed his desire to bring Fedor Emalianenko to the UFC many times. Not only did the UFC offer Fedor Emalianenko a title shot against UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar upon his first fight, but it also offered him a whopping $2 million per fight.

Whether or not Fedor Emalianenko’s claims are true, the UFC wanted to give him special perks regardless. In the end, Fedor Emalienenko’s co-ownership of the M-1 Global promotion didn’t help with negotiations. As Fedor Emalianenko’s team requested to co-promote UFC and M-1 Global, the UFC declined.