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[notrightn0w]

On Thursday, new cracks appeared in M-1 Global’s façade. Apy Echteld, a co-manager of Fedor Emelianenko and development executive in the upstart promotion, confirmed to ESPN’s Ryan Hockensmith that the top-ranked fighter and M-1 would be separating next week.

Emelianenko was M-1’s first talent acquisition when the consortium of Russian and American promoters came together in October of 2007.

The report on ESPN.com also stated that both Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White and Echteld would be open to discussions concerning the possibility of having Emelianenko face UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture in the Octagon.

M-1 President and CEO Monte Cox, however, was adamant that the Russian superstar is still a part of his promotion. “As of right now, M-1 Global and Fedor are still working together,” he told MMAWeekly.com.

Cox declined to comment about the ESPN article, but said M-1’s plans were still underway for its first event on American soil, a June 14 card at the Sears Center in the Chicago area, still expected to feature Emelianenko. The show has been rescheduled from a May 3 date at the Allstate Arena, also in the Chicago area.

M-1’s first venture with Emelianenko, a co-promotion with Fight Entertainment Group and other Japanese promoters on New Year’s Eve, was a success according to Cox. Since then, rumors of difficulties between the American and Russian factions of the partnership have persisted.

“But as of now, Fedor still belongs to M-1 Global,” stated Cox.

- FEDOR A FREE AGENT? NOT SO FAST - MMA WEEKLY - Mixed Martial Arts & UFC News, Photos, Rankings & more

I'm pretty much done.... but I'm pretty sure that isn't the first time I say so.

"The as of right now..." part is curious, maybe he does become a free agent next week and Cox is just in denial.

[SimpleJack]

I'm sure he does, for now. There will be a court battle. I wonder if Fedor's company will seek out legal assistance under a different promotion's umbrella so that they can leave the M-1 contract. You know that UFC's legal squad would find a way to blow that contract to bits.

[MasterShake]

We should just start a new section called the "Theory of Fedor".

With all these rumors and shit flying its the same as a few months back, give me some hard core documented facts, I think we need Nostradomus- hope I spelled that right-, to predict this shit.

[mmasince91]

I hope he is a free agent I would love to see him in the cage but something tells me he has no interest in the UFC. I think Dana has insulted him alittle to much... Maybe he will put a boxing match against Dana in their contract if he signs lol

[notrightn0w]

Originally Posted by MasterShake

We should just start a new section called the "Theory of Fedor".

With all these rumors and shit flying its the same as a few months back, give me some hard core documented facts, I think we need Nostradomus- hope I spelled that right-, to predict this shit.

where you at?

[Clint]

This only continues to show that Fedor's people must be difficult to work with and that what Cox was saying about them making untrue announcements and doing their won thing without involving the rest of M1 is true.

One half of M1 is saying that Fedor is leaving, the other half is arranging an event with him as the main event.

[MasterShake]

Originally Posted by notrightn0w

where you at?

?????

[twankydawg]

Damn all this he said she said bullshit, I'm ain't believing shit anymore until something is official. All this backdoor shit is just pissing me off.

[Quintessential Studmuffin]

This whole situation is so fucking ridiculous.

[jesusatemyhotdog]

As I wrote in another thread:

This is the end of Monte Cox's career.