Fedor/Couture could happen in the UFC

The long awaited matchup between former UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture and reigning WAMMA heavyweight champion and consensus ‘best heavyweight in the world’ Fedor Emelianenko could happen in the UFC. That’s a strange statement considering that Couture vacated his title and quit in disgust, citing low pay and a lack of respect from promotion head Dana White. Couture’s departure led to contractual wrangling and dueling legal action, primarily a play on the UFC’s part to keep their former champion from fighting for a rival promotion.

Fedor’s relationship with the #1 US MMA promotion may even be chillier. After the demise of the Japanese MMA organization PRIDE, the Russian fighting god entered into negotiations to compete in the UFC. Actually, ‘negotiations’ is a term that should be used loosely here—the UFC presented Fedor with a restrictive and, frankly, insulting ‘take it or leave it deal’ which he summarily rejected. Making matters worse was Dana White’s comments that the deal didn’t happen because of his inability to negotiate with “crazy Russians”, most specifically referring to Fedor’s long time manager Vadim Finkelstein. Finkelstein is steamed about that comment to this day and when asked merely suggests that White has “a problem dealing with everyone.”

So what’s changed? In terms of the fighters’ personal relationships with the UFC nothing. Both would certainly rather fight each other under the Affliction MMA banner, but the UFC for the moment has the upper hand in the legal slapfight with Couture. The UFC’s position is that he’s got two fights left to fulfill on his contract, while Couture’s position is that he was a free agent as of 7/19/08. For now, however, the courts have sided with the UFC—at least in the preliminary injection stage.

Also forcing Couture’s hand is the reality that despite being one of the best conditioned 45 year olds in the world, time isn’t kind to fighters at his age. The UFC knows that just by doing whatever they can to prolong the legal battle that they’ll essentially get what they want—no Couture fighting for a rival promotion.

While no negotiations with the UFC’s parent company Zuffa LLC have taken place or are scheduled at the moment, Couture’s people and Fedor’s people have met in Southern California several times this week. Basically, they’re trying to get on the same page on how far each is willing to go to make the fight a reality. The scenario that’s been reported is that Fedor would agree to a two fight deal with the UFC—provided that he’s given enough financial and promotional incentive to do so. This would allow Couture to fulfill his Zuffa contract, would provide the option for a rematch if necessary and would most importantly make the fight a reality.

Right now, the biggest potential roadblock is the UFC itself. The organization has shown no interest in compromising with Fedor’s promotional partners M-1 MixFight, nor have they shown a willingness to be flexible with the other conditions important to the Russian heavyweight. Working in the favor of Fedor/Couture is the almighty dollar—working out a deal would give the UFC one of the most anticipated matchups in the history of the sport, as well as allow them to settle a costly legal battle.