Fedor Emelianenko is no longer a Strikeforce fighter.
But he is definitely still a Showtime fighter, according to his representatives.
UFC president Dana White said today that the former PRIDE champion's days in the hexagon have come to an end following a third consecutive loss this past Saturday in suburban Chicago.
Reached for comment on the release, M-1 Global Director of Operations Evgeni Kogan said to MMAjunkie.com (
www.mmajunkie.com), "Really? Given that [White] doesn't have a contract with Fedor, interesting."
Kogan stated that Emelianenko's contract lies not with the recently acquired Strikeforce but instead with Showtime Networks, Inc., who played a major role in bringing the Russian back to the negotiating table after talks with Strikeforce broke down in the latter half of 2010.
As part of a deal to bring Emelianenko back to the Strikeforce cage, Showtime negotiated a deal to broadcast four M-1 Global events in 2011. The first of those events took place this past March in Norfolk, Va.
Kogan indicated that Emelianenko may soon find a home with the promotion in which he also holds a minority ownership stake.
Emelienanko was stopped in the first round by Dan Henderson in the main event of "Strikeforce and M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Henderson." Afterward, he deflected comments about possible retirement and said a decision would be made after he returned to Russia to spend time with his family.
Source: White says Emelianenko cut from Strikeforce; rep says contract still intact with Showtime
