M-1 Global Says Fedor’s Contract With Showtime, Zuffa Buyout Has No Effect

If the MMA world is wondering what happens with M-1 Global and Fedor Emelianenko now that Strikeforce has been purchased by Zuffa, wonder no more.

UFC president Dana White specifically pointed out in his interview with MMAFighting.com that he would honor all contracts currently in place with Strikeforce, including Fedor Emelianenko, the Russian’s management team at M-1 Global has their own take on the situation.

M-1 Global’s Evgeni Kogan told MMAWeekly.com on Saturday that Fedor is under contract with Showtime, and they look forward to fulfilling that deal.

“Fedor’s contract is with Showtime Networks Inc. and we’re excited to be working with such a premium North American outlet,” Kogan said.

M-1 Global, which also promotes events, recently signed a new TV deal with Showtime as well. They debut on the network on March 25.

Kogan pointed out that the new deal between Zuffa and Strikeforce effects nothing in their own deal with Showtime.

“The purchase of Strikeforce doesn’t affect M-1 at all,” Kogan stated. “Our TV deal is with Showtime and we’re happy. It’s business as usual for M-1 Global as we close into our March 25 event.”

White stated on Saturday that he believes Strikeforce’s current deal with Showtime runs for approximately two more years. Regardless of any other contracts in place, Zuffa remains committed to running Strikeforce as a separate entity.

Strikeforce has yet to comment about the deal to sell to Zuffa. MMAWeekly.com reached Director of Communications Mike Afromowitz on Saturday, but he stated that Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker is currently unavailable for comment.

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