411Mania's M-1 Press Conference Coverage 10.22.07
Posted by Damian Sarcuni on 10.22.2007
The complete story behind the new M-1 fight promotion and the signing of Fedor Emelianenko!
New York, NY - At last the great mystery is revealed. Mixed martial arts world champion Fedor Emelianenko held a press conference today at Marc Ecko Enterprises headquarters in New York City to formally announce his signing with the new M-1 Global Organization.
For the past weeks leading up to this conference, MMA media and fans alike were caught up in a frenzy of rumors and speculation as to just what M-1 was, and what it was that Fedor would be doing there. MMA's most notable names and media were on hand to finally get their answers, and what they learned could very well send a shockwave throughout the mixed martial arts world, if not several. 411Mania was on hand to bring you all the latest news and shed some light on the story behind the greatest MMA champion ever and the latest MMA organization to join the scene.
Be sure to check out 411's interview with Fedor Emelianenko here!
The conference opened up with Mr. Mitchell Maxwell, the president and CEO of Sibling Entertainment and chairman of M-1 Global. Mr. Maxwell and Sibling are well known veterans of the entertainment industry and have produced several Broadway and off-Broadway plays as well as independent films and successful theaters and restaurants. Mr. Maxwell stated plainly that his goal in MMA is to take the foundation that has been established, and to take MMA to a mainstream level throughout the world. Maxwell stated that this could not have happened without the world's greatest fighter, Fedor Emelianenko. Maxwell acknowledged that although the M-1 promotion is an underdog, the underdog does often win (including the American Olympics team defeating the Russians, he joked as Fedor smiled). Maxwell also stated he wants to bring theatricality to the sport of MMA, before turning the floor over to Monte Cox, President and CEO of the new M-1 Global organization.
Monte Cox is one of the most successful fighter managers, and has produced a record seven world champions in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Cox has also staged well over 400 events which included some top names in MMA. Monte stated that while working on his "Extreme Challenge" event 10 weeks ago, he was called up by M-1 and stated that both he and Fedor were soon on board. Cox said he wants to get the word out about Fedor, and that he is looking for the best opponents for the M-1 event. He then turned the conference over to Fedor's manager and one of the creators of M-1, Vadim Finkelchtein.
Vadim thanked the press for coming, and said that M-1 is a new global company, but has 10 years of roots in Europe. He went on to say that M-1 is as popular in Europe as the UFC is in the United States. Vadim said M-1 has organized a great team and he wants to go forward with it.
Finally, Fedor Emelianenko spoke after thunderous applause from the entire room. He thanked everyone and welcomed the press. He said the people on the M-1 team are the best at what they do, and he was very glad to be there. The floor was then turned over for questions and answers.
Asked why he did not choose to sign with the UFC, Fedor stated softly that M-1 will not be a closed in company but an open company that will allow him to meet with different champions and the strongest fighters. Fedor said M-1 fighters will be treated in the most respectful way. Vadim also stated that the UFC is not a global organization though it is a leader. Fedor later went on to say that the contracts offered to him and his brother Aleksander were "not that good, to tell it softly". Although Fedor does not have an opponent lined up for his first fight, Monte Cox stated that they are currently negotiating a television deal and looking to hold their first event in the United States next February. Monte said that this negotiation will help to dictate many things including Fedor's next opponent. He expects they will know soon.
Asked about Randy Couture's departure from the UFC and his wish to challenge Fedor, the Russian champion said that he was pleased to hear Couture thought so highly of him and that he deeply respects him and has been watching him since his first fight. Fedor admires Randy and met him at a show in Prague, where Couture left really warm thoughts. Fedor says Randy has grown and is the strongest fighter. "It will be an honor for me to fight him." Fedor also said he respects Randy not just for his fighting qualities but also his human qualities.
Mitchell Maxwell stated that M-1 did not announce its upcoming stable of fighter signings yet because they want to keep in contact with the media and also because "today is Fedor's day." Maxwell said that M-1 will announce its stable within the next ten days. In addition to those fighters, Maxwell feels that M-1 will make the sport of MMA more fan friendly, with pomp and circumstance coming to the events. They will also allow their champion to fight all champions from around the world, while emphasizing a respect for the fighters and their health. Monte added that M-1 has in fact contacted other organizations and that they will allow Fedor to fight other fighters in other organizations. Cox said that MMA must move into that direction and that other organizations will join them. Maxwell added that Fedor's contract allows him to offer the UFC champion 1 million dollars above what the UFC would offer for a fight, as well as 1 million dollars over the purse of that fight. In 2008, Maxwell said M-1 will hold events in America, Europe and Asia, and that they are very serious about globalization.
Monte Cox acknowledged that a lot of M-1's success rests on Fedor, and that they want to make him a household name. He said that finding opponents for Fedor will be easy, and their job now is to get his name out there. Asked about organizations such as the UFC who might not want to share their talent, Mitchell acknowledged the UFC and other MMA organizations have created a great foundation for the sport. Mitchell went on to say that what we are looking at in terms of isolated organizations is merely a snapshot of the MMA scene is like today, and he feels that talks will open up as time goes on. The fact that they have the number one fighter in the world is good place to start. He also noted that many UFC fighters have contracts that will expire and they will be looking for respect and a chance to challenge Fedor. "There are three things that bring a man or an organization down: women, greed, and arrogance. We don't have any of those."
Monte Cox whirled at that joke. "We have no women?"
"Unfortunately no." continued Mitchell, "We have no greed, and just a touch of arrogance, enough to keep us out of trouble."
Asked about the rules in M-1 global, Monte Cox said that there are currently no rules set up for the promotion. They only know that they will need a uniform set of rules that can be used in any country, but at this moment they are not sure of what the rules will be. He said in the coming week they should have an idea.
When asked if he is afraid of anything, Fedor stated "Like all children I probably was afraid of darkness. Right now, I would like to see my friends and family safe." When asked how he feels about the Pride organization, Fedor said that Pride was the strongest organization and was composed of a lot of international fighters. He said that Pride champions were truly international champions, but now Pride is gone and they would like to create a new project that may be even better. He also mentioned that next summer; M-1 will likely hold events in Japan. Finally, Fedor was asked as the number one heavyweight in the world, who he thinks is number two. Fedor responded humbly, saying that he does not feel he is number one, as there are many fighters he has yet to face.
Mitchell Maxwell talked about the birth of M-1 global, explaining that one of Vadim's old friends in Russia is a business associate of his, and brought up Fedor's negotiations with the UFC at one point. Maxwell asked for two weeks to go back the United States and put together a team, and that is how the relationship formed. Maxwell also stated that it was important to have a formal announcement of the M-1 global organization as well as Fedor's signing.
M-1 Global has made its mark with a big splash right off the bat, and it will be interesting to see what more they have to offer fans and media in the coming weeks. We would like to thank M-1 for allowing us to be present for this historical event.
