OMG, Fedor finalizing deal with UFC!!!

molamann

Yes, cage and the ring has its differences(Pride did allow knees, they even allowed soccer kicks...) but that's not the main reason why Fedor is not signing with the UFC. UFC likes to have very exclusive rights to their fighters meaning they can't fight anywhere else(even national Sambo tournaments where Fedor has been attending every year,) nor endorse products without the consent of the UFC. $5mil per fight might sound like a big deal but Fedor is worth a lot more than that, not to mention half the UFC fighters are underpaid.

@Chupacabra
Only way Fedor will lose is if he gets caught.

edeeZee

I've been into MMA since '95. I watched UFC (the first NHB event) and Pride since its inception, 1997. I wrestled in high school, then transitioned to BJJ, then Thai boxing. I'm not a casual fan to let you know.

Nobody knows for certain why Fedor is dodging the UFC...but my guess is that he's doing it for money reasons. The Gracies, especially Rickson, Frank Shamrock and a few other fighters played their little game of perpetuating an invincible aura while artificially raising their stock price. Fedor is nowhere near worth $5M per fight. I won't delve into this, but UFC (the biggest--revenue and popularity--wise) MMA promo cannot afford to drop that kind of money per fight on 1 fighter.

I wished I saved the link, but it was one in which Dana White explained why UFC fighters' pay is commensurate to what the financial figures give off. He explained why UFC cannot afford to pay "pro boxing" level money to its marquee fighters. He broke down revenue, recurring expenses, liabilities, sponsors, etc., and it all made sense. UFC does not underpay its fighters. Besides, nobody is putting a gun to their heads to fight. That's why Tito is running back because he can't get the kind of money he "deserves."