Fedor-Sylvia Report Raises Interesting Questions

This afternoon Fedor Emelianenko confirmed to Sherdog.com that he will face Tim Sylvia on July 19. The bout will reportedly headline an event promoted by Affliction at American Airlines Arena in Dallas and air on HDNet Fights. MMAPayout.com reported earlier this month that the clothing company had scraped plans for a June debut in Las Vegas and was tentatively planning a July date in Houston.

The report raises a number of interesting questions, but none more interesting than Fedor's contractual arrangement for the event. MMAPayout.com has received multiple unconfirmed reports of an offer worth slightly more than $2 million per fight from Affliction to Emelianenko. Sylvia is under contract to Adrenaline, the successor to M-1 Global which dissolved last month after parting ways with Fedor.

Regardless of the final details, this event appears to have all the makings (two promoters and a third party television outlet/producer) of the first major co-promotional event in MMA history. The bout has storied history, reportedly in the making for several years with Dana White originally offering to send Sylvia to Pride to fight Emelianenko. The bout would also put to rest reports that Emelianenko was "afraid" to fight Sylvia.

The most interested observer of the bout in July might very well be Randy Couture. Assuming a favorable outcome in pending litigation, admittedly a big assumption, Couture hopes to fight Fedor in October of this year. An Emelianenko loss could potentially put that fight in jeopardy, or at the very least take much of the luster of the bout.

Fedor Update

The never ending story that is the Fedor Emelianenko sweepstakes continues after the collapse of M-1 Global with no end in sight. EliteXC reportedly made a four fight, seven figure offer, however, the sides appear to be far a part on terms with Gary Shaw's statement that Fedor wants $2 million per fight. The UFC is also reportedly interested, but the two sides remained far apart last year despite prolong negotiations.

Fraud Against Fedor?

The Korea Times reports:

South Korean prosecutors indicted the local chief of a Russian martial arts agency for fraud Monday after he allegedly used the publicity rights of Fedor Emelianenko, the famed Russian mixed martial arts fighter, without consent.

Emelianenko filed the suit early this month over a "shoddy" honey commercial that went on air on Korean cable television featuring his image. The world heavyweight champion sought 1.55 billion won ($1.6 million) in compensation from the president of Korea Sambo Federation and the head of a local apiculture agency whose honey product the commercial promoted.

Adrenaline MMA

Yesterday Monte Cox announced the formation of Adrenaline MMA, the demise of M-1 Global, the release of Fedor, the signing of Tim Sylvia and Ben Rothwell, and the promotions first event in a pair of press releases:

Adrenaline MMA replaces M-1 Global; Fedor becomes a free agent

NEW YORK -- Executives at M-1 Global announced today they have started a new promotion called Adrenaline MMA and will begin promoting major events in the U.S. beginning in June.

Adrenaline will replace M-1 Global in the U.S. immediately. The change also includes the release of Russian fighter Fedor Emilianenko, who is free to seek fights elsewhere.

Monte Cox is the President and CEO of Adrenaline MMA. Bob Clark is the COO and Brian Patton is VP responsible for sponsorships and endorsements.

Adrenaline signs MMA heavyweight standouts Sylvia and Rothwell

NEW YORK -- Adrenaline MMA announced today that heavyweight stars Tim Sylvia and Ben Rothwell have signed multi-fight contracts with the newly-formed promotion.

Sylvia (24-4) is a former 2-time UFC heavyweight champion, while Rothwell (31-5) was undefeated in the IFL for the champion Quad Cities Silverbacks.

Sylvia, 6-foot-8 and 265 pounds, has fought 13 times in the UFC and defeated top performers like Jeff Monson, Andre Arlovski (twice), Brandon Vera, Ricco Rodriguez and Assuerio Silva.

"Adrenaline is a new promotion, but it allows fighters to fight for other organizations... that's huge," Sylvia said. "I've got 3 to 4 years left and want to fight as much as possible, so this is the perfect choice for me at this time."

Rothwell, 6-5 and 265, has won 13 straight bouts, including all 9 of his IFL fights.

"Adrenaline will give me the chance to take things to the next level," Rothwell said. "I'm ready to see how I fare against the best heavyweights in the world."

Sylvia and Rothwell both train at Miletich Fighting Systems in Bettendorf, Iowa.

. . .

According to MMAWeekly.com, the promotion will hold its its first event on June 14 in Chicago at the Sears Centre. Jeff Monson v. Mike Russow is already signed for the show.