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[rodneykm]

EDIT: Update from Josh Gross/SI.com:

Denying a published report Tuesday by the Los Angeles Times, M-1 Global officials told SI.com that Fedor Emelianenko and the Ultimate Fighting Championship are not close to finalizing a deal that would bring mixed martial arts' top heavyweight in the Octagon.

Source: Fedor Emelianenko, UFC finalizing deal | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

A long-awaited agreement between the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the man considered the world's best mixed martial arts fighter, Fedor Emelianenko, is expected to be announced by UFC President Dana White on Friday, a source with information about the negotiations told The Times today.

The source, who asked not to be identified because he's not authorized to speak publicly about the dealings, called negotiations between the UFC and Fedor "very civil" just days after Fedor's scheduled Affliction Trilogy fight Saturday against Josh Barnett was canceled.

Affliction wound up folding its MMA promotion activities and announced an apparel deal to sponsor UFC.

Now, Fedor, who has previously fought in organizations including PRIDE Fighting Championships in Japan, Bodog Fight and Affliction, is crossing over to the world's most successful MMA fighting organization, as well.

With a 30-1 record that includes victories over former UFC heavyweight champions Tim Sylvia, Andrei Arlovski and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Emelianenko would likely get an immediate shot at reigning UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar.

The source said officials were discussing details on the public announcement of the deal, which in the past has been complicated by Emelianenko's resistance to accept UFC's standard six-fight contract and his unwillingness to surrender some merchandising and marketing revenues.

But this month White said he was optimistic he could bring Emelianenko aboard, and his confidence was well-placed. The UFC declined to elaborate on Friday's scheduled announcement.

[jhell]

I seriously hope this happens, and Brock should be getting a little nervous if so.

[hobiecat]

Dang, that looks just like my post earlier.

[sawinc]

If this comes to fruition, I think my head is gonna explode. I'd be so pumped for Fedor vs. Brock.

[rodneykm]

I think you'll live hobiecat.

This is excellent news. Biggest fight in MMA history might actually happen now.

[smoogy]

I'll believe it when I see it I guess. Not to attack the LA Times or its credibility, but the last MMA piece they published was some garbage editorial that didn't even get the basic facts right, so I'm a bit skeptical

[FalconPunch]

Well im just gonna wait until friday.

I hope this really happens like everyone else, if it does i believe the ufc will then become solidified as the face of MMA, Dream and sengoku will serve as minor MMA orgs for fighters to build their records against decent competition imo.

Strikeforce will be the only other MMA company able to be productive in the US.

[fishy]

Originally Posted by jhell

I seriously hope this happens, and Brock should be getting a little nervous if so.

I think he's too stupid to be nervous and stupid enough to think he will actually beat him...just like smoogy said, I'll believe it when I see it...

[jody]

That Tom Lawlor thing is awesome smoogy.I too will believe when I see,but what if man,what if?I'm gonna make a bold prediction based on past disappointments...Fedor loses his first ever UFC fight,should it happen.I bruise easy

[unkoil]

I won't get my hopes up on this one... I'll just wait for it to come out of Dana's or Fedor's mouth.