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The California based Strikeforce promotion are said to be launching an audacious move to secure the services of WAMMA heavyweight champion, Fedor Emelianenko, a move that would scupper any hopes of seeing him square off with UFC heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar.

The following is according to FiveKnuckles.com:

“Sources close to the fighter have informed us that Strikeforce were in talks with Affliction, M-1 Global and Golden Boy promotions on a long term deal with Emelianenko within the last couple of days. The promotion reportedly offered the former Pride champion between 500,000 and 700,000 per fight, a non-exclusive contract, guaranteed exposure on CBS shows and a cut of any PPV event he was a part of.”

“Emelianenko would certainly be able to get maximum mainstream U.S. exposure via CBS and Showtime which could lead possible big money endorsement deals and he'd also get to enjoy the freedoms associated with Strikeforce's non-exclusive contracts. This scenario is considered a strong possibility if Emelianenko is indeed a free agent according to inside sources.”

If true and Strikeforce manage to pull it off, this would show just how far Strikeforce have come over the past year with the backing of such partners as CBS and Showtime. It would be a massive blow to the UFC who were clearly in the driving seat after the collapse of Affliction and felt there was nowhere else tangible for Fedor to go. Oh how they were wrong.

By Michael Pepper.

[Ramma]

Fedor on CBS.... that would be nice...

[Diegonightmare]

$500k-$700k per fight is lunch money compared to what the UFC can pay him; and Strikeforce won't be lucrative on PPV till after or near the time of Fedor's retirement. The "non-exclusive" is the magic word in this story.

I am betting he will take it.

I agree with Rizzo, it would be really awesome to see Fedor on CBS. The casual couch potato working stiff thought Kimbo was a badass....wait till they get a load of Fedor.....

[bellsboy671]

Strikeforce continues to impress me, I just hope they don't break the bank.

[goodtimes]

They paid nearly as much for Frank Shamrock, I think Fedor will be well worth it. I also doubt that Strikeforce will make the same mistakes as Affliction; basically paying millions of dollars to Fedor's opponents. I'm sure they can get half decent opponents for Fedor without dishing out huge amounts of money. If Strikeforce is successful, I think it keeps the UFC honest and forces everyone to put out the best cards possible.

[Y2JUBAE]

“Emelianenko would certainly be able to get maximum mainstream U.S. exposure via CBS and Showtime"

LOL! Maximum exposure? Wrong, that's with the UFC.

[rodzilla1988]

I'm pretty sure this is what he'll end up taking just because it is non-exclusive. I'm think the UFC would offer him between 1M & 1.2M but I still don't think he will budge because the UFC is for sure not willing to compromise with Fedors demands(As far as I know).

[leedogg900]

Yo I see your posting a lot of MMABAY news. Just a warning, MMABAY is the worst possible website for mmanews. Sometimes they flat out make things up.

Their articles are usually taken with a grain of salt. IMO MMABAY articles should be banned from this site.

[Diegonightmare]

Originally Posted by leedogg900

Yo I see your posting a lot of MMABAY news. Just a warning, MMABAY is the worst possible website for mmanews. Sometimes they flat out make things up.

Their articles are usually taken with a grain of salt. IMO MMABAY articles should be banned from this site.

I agree with you; however, in this case, MMABay is at least quoting another site - which I previously wasn't familiar with, so who knows if they are reliable or not.

[GL Jeff]

Umm, when did Strikeforce get on CBS?