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[jlruthven84]

From MMAjunkie.com:

The recently restructured M-1 Global organization is teasing a new weekly TV reality series called “Fighting Fedor,” in which 16 heavyweight prospects will take part in a tournament-style competition. The winner gets a fight with the organization’s biggest (and right now, only) star: famed Russian Fedor Emelianenko.

The video was posted on www.mix1fight.com, a news site run by Emelianenko’s management in partnership with M-1 Global.

No debut date or broadcast partner for the series is revealed on the site, though, and MMAjunkie.com (UFC News & Rumors - MMA News - UFC Fighters - UFC Event Recaps and Previews - MMAjunkie.com) was unable to immediately confirm details of the show with M-1 Global.

However, according to details released in the video, the show will use a familiar format.

“M-1 Global is embarking on a journey across four continents to find MMA’s best young heavyweight contenders,” the video’s narrator states. “Sixteen fighters will travel to St. Petersburg, Russia’s Red Devils Sports Club (where Emelianenko trains), where they will open their doors to American television cameras for the first time. From there, the fighters will spend the next several weeks living together, training together and fighting each other in a full-contact mixed-martial-arts tournament — the likes of which have never been seen on American television.“

(Viewers of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the UFC’s hit reality series that airs on Spike TV, may disagree.)

M-1 Global was recently purchased from Emelianenko’s manager and restructured by a group of American investors. The company’s first order of business was signing Emelianenko to a long-term deal back in October, and the organization has been on the hunt for heavyweight talent to fight the famed Russian ever since. M-1 Global will likely hold its first event in Chicago on May 3.

The 31-year-old Emelianenko, who held the PRIDE Fighting Championships’ heavyweight belt for more than four years before the organization’s eventual demise this past summer, owns a career mark of 27-1. Although he’s defeated some of the most notable fighters in the sport — including current UFC fighters Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and Heath Herring — he’s fought few (if any) top-tier guys in recent years.

Emelianenko recently turned down an offer to fight exclusively for the UFC, saying the contract was too restrictive.

Source: UFC News & Rumors - MMA News - UFC Fighters - UFC Event Recaps and Previews - MMAjunkie.com

Noah Inhofer by triangle.

[valheruking]

Unless they include some top pro fighters it's another wasted fight for Fedor imo, but that is only if you take the view that Fedor and his team actually care about rankings etc, which im really beginning to doubt. Also kind of a weird culmination to a tournament format tv show, to have the winner most likely lose to Fedor in about 3 minutes.

[jlruthven84]

Originally Posted by valheruking

Unless they include some top pro fighters it's another wasted fight for Fedor imo, but that is only if you take the view that Fedor and his team actually care about rankings etc, which im really beginning to doubt. Also kind of a weird culmination to a tournament format tv show, to have the winner most likely lose to Fedor in about 3 minutes.

BEGINNING?!?!?!

Lol, just kidding. But yeah, this should be fun...or at least incredibly stupid. I'm betting on the latter.

[scottsec]

Gabe Rudieger in a cake walk...lol...

[Bigshanks666]

Well this is obviously a blatant TUF rip off. The difference is that on TUF, you get a contract or a title shot if you win where as with M-1 you get a loss added to your record by fighting fedor. This seems like just another ploy to stop fedor from facing worth competition. I dont think I'll be tuning in for this one.

[ChuckBooty]

I don't think Fedor cares about the rankings. I think that he's happy making a living fighting MMA and competing in his national sport (combat sambo). He is definately marginalizing himself...becoming a circus side-show of sorts. But I honestly don't think he cares.

Think about it....if he goes to the UFC he's bound to get beat eventually by somebody. If he keeps wrestling bears and boxing kangaroos, he fades into the background of MMA and silently "retires" whenever he's ready.

EDIT: And as far as their TUF rip-off. Who the hell would go on this show?? What do they REALLY get if they win. They get to lose to Fedor, then go home and try to get an IFL contract? No thanks!

[playuntiltheskyisblack]

Is it still a faux pas to call Fedor a joke for taking part of this org?

[leedogg900]

what a sad idea

[DW]

am I the only one that doesnt give a fuck about Fedor anymore??

[jlruthven84]

Originally Posted by playuntiltheskyisblack

Is it still a faux pas to call Fedor a joke for taking part of this org?

Some on this board might say so, but I'm with you.