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[twankydawg]

By Michael Rome
Posted on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 06:16:52 PM EDT

The news of Tim Sylvia talking of going to M-1 got me thinking again about M-1 Global's future. Last October they signed Fedor, and started talking about potential TV deals. After the smoke has settled, four months later, they seem to be no closer to doing a show, getting on TV, or signing any fighters besides Fedor.

Financially, M-1 needs to be willing to take some major hits to even survive a show. Fedor commands 2 million dollars alone. Add in cost of venue, the salary for the rest of the roster, cost of advertising, flying guys in, and all of the other smaller costs, and it's hard to imagine how M-1 can do an event without losing at least 1.5 million dollars. If they pay a lot for a guy like Barnett or Sylvia, even more.

I would not be surprised if we never see a M-1 show. It appears to be little more than a front company dedicated to promoting Fedor. From speaking with some fighters that were initially interested, they've also come to the conclusion that this thing is a sham. Financially I can't see how they have a shot, even if they get small TV or run a couple of shows. That Fedor contract is utterly crippling for a new company. I just hope no fighters get caught up in all of this.

Found it interesting that people are starting to be more outspoken about this as time goes on. I can't see M1 doing anything but floundering around in obscurity considering they have done nothing since their inception. I said before that until they have something to offer other than just Fedor, most orgs aren't going to want to co promote with them. They want the UFC to co promote but they can't even put together a half ass card on their own, why would the UFC or any org do that? I don't see anyone coming out of the woodworks wanting to co promote with them and I don't ever see it happening to be honest.

I think this guy hit the nail on the head, this is a sham so they can save face for Fedor not signing with the UFC, and this is simply a way for them to control who he fights to keep his record spotless. I hope this pipedream ends very soon with them either folding or proving me wrong here, either way, I just want to see the wasting of Fedors talent come to an end.

[Clint]

I find it especially interesting that they say that fighters are also starting to believe it is a sham (Cox might want to let Sylvia know before he burns any bridges).

I agree that no company has a need to copromote with a company with one fighter and zero market footprint. You don't see taste tests between Coke and Dominion Cola for a reason. Especially since M1 probably wants an unreal amount of money to lend Fedor out. (They would need atleast the $2million to pay him and a lenders fee to pay the employees)

[Diegonightmare]

It is a really tragic situation for one of, if not the, best MMA fighter in history to end up in. Eschewed the UFC and fights with Nog, Randy, Cro Cop, Gonzaga, Werdum, AA, Vera, Sylvia in order to sign himself basically into exile, fighting various cans, freakshows and has-beens for (probably) the rest of his career.

[twankydawg]

Originally Posted by Diegonightmare

It is a really tragic situation for one of, if not the, best MMA fighter in history to end up in. Eschewed the UFC and fights with Nog, Randy, Cro Cop, Gonzaga, Werdum, AA, Vera, Sylvia in order to sign himself basically into exile, fighting various cans, freakshows and has-beens for (probably) the rest of his career.

I agree, and that's if they can find someone that wants to borrow Fedor, pay a large fee like Clint just said, and let M1 throw their name on a card they really had no legit part in helping put together. Most orgs aren't going to do that just for Fedor. I think when they figure out this strategy isn't going to work, it'll be interesting to see what happens, hopefully he'll end up in the UFC.

[thebwit]

Was his fight against Hong Man Choi considered an M1 fight? I don't remember seeing M1 except for around Fedor for that event. The broadcast seemed more like an HDNet Fight than an M1 card - which is smart for HDNet fight.

[jesusatemyhotdog]

I wrote almost the exact same thing in another thread.

This was all created as a leveraging scam by Fink.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by thebwit

Was his fight against Hong Man Choi considered an M1 fight? I don't remember seeing M1 except for around Fedor for that event. The broadcast seemed more like an HDNet Fight than an M1 card - which is smart for HDNet fight.

I saw atleast one interview where Finkelstein was talking about how well M1's Yarrenoka event did. So M1 is atleast claiming it as their own.

[twankydawg]

Originally Posted by Clint

I saw atleast one interview where Finkelstein was talking about how well M1's Yarrenoka event did. So M1 is atleast claiming it as their own.

And I'm sure most other orgs are taking notice. M1 just has nothing to offer, they are simply a management org for Fedor with alot of people sitting there with their hand out when it's time to get paid.

[Diegonightmare]

Originally Posted by Clint

I saw atleast one interview where Finkelstein was talking about how well M1's Yarrenoka event did. So M1 is atleast claiming it as their own.

The only "input" M1 had was contributing Fedor for the event, for which they got their name attached to it. Yarennoka! certainly was not an M1 event. As chronicled, we might never see an M1 event

[jlruthven84]

M-1 is Fedor's public relations firm, nothing more. This is all going to blow up in the faces of everyone involved, the only question right now is how long.