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WSOF exec thinks they're in play for Fedor Emelianenko, says "we can compete with anybody"
Jul 17, 2015 - 11:10:56 AM WSOF exec thinks they're in play for Fedor Emelianenko, says "we can compete with anybody"

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

There are a number of realistic spots for Fedor Emelianenko to wind up now that he's decided to return to MMA, but most would likely consider the World Series of Fighting low on that list. However, the organization believes they could be in play for "The Last Emperor," with Executive Vice President Ali Abdelaziz saying there's no reason they couldn't sign him.

"We're just making moves," Abdelaziz said in an interview with MMAFighting.com. "We can afford Fedor. We can afford Brock Lesnar. We can afford whatever we want to afford. But somebody has to move the needle, and I think Fedor definitely moves the needle.

"If M-1 is interested in doing stuff with us, I'm open to do it. It's not only going to be World Series of Fighting. I think M-1 is an amazing promotion. They've been around for a long time. And I think if we want to go to Russia and do something with M-1 and Fedor is involved, some kind of co-promotion, I'm OK with that. I don't know if any other promotion would do that, but we are open."

Who would be available in WSOF for Fedor to face, you may ask? Abdelaziz thinks they've got a very good option in new Champ Blagoi Ivanov, who defeated Fedor in Sambo competition in 2008.

"I think maybe Fedor would like to get revenge, because I know sambo means so much to him," Abdelaziz said. "Even more than MMA. And now he can get revenge against our heavyweight champion. We'll give him a chance to get revenge and pay him top dollar."

"...We can compete with anybody. We can definitely compete with Bellator, we can compete with the UFC. It depends what Fedor wants to do. He can come here and be the biggest star, we can put him on NBC and NBC Sports. Or he can go to UFC or Bellator and be one of the guys."

Penick's Analysis: While Fedor-Ivanov isn't a terrible fight by any means, I highly doubt we see Emelianenko fighting on NBCSN or even NBC. Signing with Bellator would make more sense; signing with the UFC would make more sense. There's a story there with Ivanov, but it's the only fight in WSOF that works for him, and I just don't see that being where he ends up.