· M-1 Global On Zuffa’s Purchase Of Strikeforce “It’s Business As Usual”

With the questions and speculation mounting in the wake of Zuffa’s purchase of rival promotion Strikeforce, the biggest questions surround what will happen with M-1 co-promotions and in particularly Fedor Emelianenko. MMA Spot went directly to the head of M-1 Global to seek out those answers. Director of Operations Evgeni Kogan tells Andrew Yount that the buyout should not affect M-1’s contracts with Showtime, which is currently gearing up for their event debut on the cable channel later this month.

M-1’s official statement concerning their standing with Showtime following the purchase of Strikeforce:

“Fedor and M-1 have a great home on Showtime and we have a good relationship with the network executives. The news of the last few days does not change in our position in any way. Fedor is happy fighting on Showtime/CBS and we hope that this continues to be a productive relationship which lasts for a long time.”

With the purchase of Strikeforce some questions remain for various Strikeforce promotional and advertising partners. With M-1 the biggest of those partners and likely most affect by the purchase, how do they view the news and what concerns might exist following the purchase?

Kogan: It certainly makes for interesting news. I'm sure as with everyone who is involved in MMA, the purchase has changed the landscape and how this will impact other promotions and fighters will be seen over the next year or so.

Kogan reiterated that M-1 and Emelianenko’s contracts are specifically with Showtime and not Strikeforce and that the purchase should not have any immediate impact for M-1 managed clients, especially Fedor Emelianenko.

Kogan: All our promotion fighters are signed under the M-1 brand and the purchase has no impact on the day-to-day operations of our full slate of events. Fedor's contract is with Showtime Networks Inc. and as noted, he is happy fighting on Showtime/CBS.

Being one of the largest non-Zuffa owned organizations in the world; M-1 Global now stands as a competitor to Strikeforce/UFC. But how will that competition play out? Does this purchase positively or negatively impact M-1 as a promotion?

Kogan: This is a good question and thank you for the compliment. M-1 has been in existence for 13 years and we're looking to put on some great cards on Showtime starting with M-1 Challenge XXIV on March 25th. Competition is a good thing for the continued growth of MMA, and we enjoyed working together with Strikeforce in the past and look forward to working together with Strikeforce in the future. M-1 is an organization which operates in a number of countries around the world. The U.S. is one of these countries, and we see any change in the landscape of MMA as exciting and positive. New opportunities are presented in this sport faster than one can keep up with.

Attempting to read between the lines of M-1’s official statements that Fedor Emelianenko's contracts are with Showtime and M-1, and with M-1 now producing events on Showtime, MMA Spot pressed the M-1 executive on whether or not it is possible that Mr. Emelianenko can fulfill his Showtime commitments without having to fight for Strikeforce. Mr. Kogan’s response was ominous and left even more to be read between the lines.

Kogan: Right now its anticipated that Fedor would continue to participate on the co-promoted Strikeforce cards and we don't want to speculate beyond this. It's business as usual.