Strikeforce
Finkelstein: "Alistair Overeem is a steroid bully"
M-1 Global Boss Vadim Finkelstein dispelled the rumors regarding a possible fight between the arguably number one Pound-for-Pound fighter in the World, Fedor Emelianenko (32-1 in MMA), and the reigning Strikeforce Champion Alistair Overeem.
Finkelstein went razor-sharp on his words by claiming that “Overeem has nothing to offer for Fedor, except being a steroid bully.” The comments were immediately censored on the Russian website Sports.ru, but the headline remained the same.
Emelianenko will face the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu maverick Fabricio Werdum sometime in May, as the fight has been moved from it’s original booking at the stacked Strikeforce on CBS fight card on April 17th. Vadim Finkelstein discussed the credibility of Fedor’s and why Fabricio Werdum is a legit opponent for “The Last Emperor”:
Fabricio Werdum is a really good and well-known fighter, but there is a feeling that this fight will not draw as much interest as the fight against Brett Rogers. Werdum is not a striker, he is not American and not a trash talker…
- When we promoted the fight against Brett Rogers everyone had the exact thoughts. People expected a very easy fight for Fedor, they expected that he will take down Rogers quickly and submit him. That was not the case, as you know. That is the exact situation with Fabricio Werdum, as no one knows how the fight will go – that is the most beautiful thing in MMA. Do not forget that every time when Fedor Emelianenko, it attracts a lot of attention. The name of the opponent does not really matter. However, I will agree with you on some things, but we do not have a better candidate for the fight against Fedor right now.
What about the current Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem?
- I personally think that Alistair Overeem did not reach the desired level to challenge Fedor. He beat a lot of no-name opponents in Mixed Martial Arts. Overeem defeated Paul Buentello and then disappeared from the United States for more than two years, which is simply ridiculous. He has nothing to offer for Fedor Emelianenko, except being a steroid bully. Also, pay attention that Werdum beat Overeem when they were fighting in Pride, four years ago.
Don’t you think that the fight against Werdum should be for the Strikeforce title? Maybe Overeem should vacate his title, if he did not defend it for more than two years?
- We do not fight for the Strikeforce Heavyweight Title. Strikeforce are our partner, and any titles whether it is UFC, Strikeforce, WAMMA, Dream… they are just medals. Fedor is above these things. We are interested in the level of our opponent and his popularity among the audience.
So, it means that you will not demand the fight against Alistair Overeem?
- Exactly. We are more interested in fighting Josh Barnett, who is currently disqualified until September. When he returns from his suspension and if he tests clean, we might consider fighting him.
What about the Ultimate Fighting Championship, did you have any new negotiations?
- No. They did not contact us in any way. I don’t think that they are ready to follow our terms and conditions. We have our own organization, tournaments and partners. It is much better for us to be without the UFC.
Despite the negative comments, “The Demolition Man’s” management recently revealed that next announcement we will hear about Alistair Overeem will come from Strikeforce. Various sites report about the current dispute between M-1 Global and Strikeforce over the co-promotion conditions, which may eventually lead to the fight against Overeem (sometime in May), as he is the only credible opponent who can fight Fedor in the near future outside The UFC and Strikeforce.
Interview credit goes to Andrei Ivantsov, tribuna.sports.ru
Excuse me while I fall out of my chair laughing and hyperventilating. Now click weak because the truth hurts. Reply 2 years ago
Dont claim to even try to understand what WE westerners think, thats pathetic Reply 2 years ago
Europe and Quebec are always trying to be as cool as our culture.....theyre too gay when are they gonna get it? Reply 2 years ago
I am not putting down UFC fighters in any way I am just saying that Fedor defeated them regardless if they chose to leave the UFC for another Organization. Keep in mind Fedor beat Big Nog twice in his prime!
UFC champs huh? Who has Lesnar fought? Coulture (45 yrs), Mir (twice, lost to him once), Heath Herring, and Min Soo Kim....
You are going to tell me this makes him a better and or more accomplished fighter than Fedor?
If Dana wants Fedor vs Lesnar, he can make it happen. It does not have to be in the UFC. You be the judge. Reply 2 years ago
That is easily the best quote ever. All you Dana White nuthuggers can say what you like, but we both know who is the Undefeated MMA Champion of the world. Reply 2 years ago
Medication buddy. Reply 2 years ago
Answer: None!!!
Pride is a big name in fighting organizations and he faired well in it but when he left Pride lived on, and he lost it. Hope to see him challenged sometime soon. At least before he is 40 so you guys cant say he lost because he is out of his prime. Reply 2 years ago
hij heeft een grote mond k1 zou hij ook winnen ha ha
ja dat hebben we gezien
hij heeft geen kans tegen fedor echt niet veels te traag kan bijna niet bewegen door ? ja ja Reply 2 years ago
maar hij is arogant en wil niks delen
dat is de reden dat fedor niet tekend en natuurlijk dat hij dan genn sambo meer kan doen wat in rusland heel bekand is
dana is hebberig en dat koste hem de beste vechter Reply 2 years ago
I mean come on. Is it really worth chasing fedor just to end up in a organization that doesn't do business as well as another organization that is at the top of the heat in competition and money?
"Oh, yipee! I just beat fedor, but now I am stuck in a crappy organization for a while."
Anyways, I feel that it is the champions responsibility to stay on top. Reply 2 years ago
Why would anyone want to leave UFC for f****** StrikeForce dude? That was the dumbest f****** comment I have ever heard. So they could fight Rogers or Overeem? Come on dude. Reply 2 years ago
It's something that those of you that are snowed in to the belief that money is everything that matters, will never understand someone like Fedor. Reply 2 years ago
So Open market fighters, how does that change anything, Many fighters fighting in many organizations? Heres how your retarded.
The market (although growing) for MMA isn't big enough, how many football leagues are there? how many soccer leagues are there........HOW MANY IKEAS are there? It makes no sense to have multiple organizations with the same old fighters fighting the same fights. One grand organization may be alil controlling, but your getting quality fights. Love or hate the UFC, they put 1-2 cards a month, while good fighters are being seen 2-4 times a year. You gotta be 12 or jus retarded and have no business ethic what-so-ever.. Reply 2 years ago
FYI, he lost to arona really. He got mounted multiple times which means arona was totally dominant on the ground, he also got cut very very badly. The decision against arona was the SAME NIGHT as when he fought kohsaka or whatever, and kohsaka IMMEDIATELY goes straight for the cut arona gave him and got a stoppage.
Classic BS decision and politics, dare you to prove me wrong Fedor nuthuggers. Reply 2 years ago
FYI, he lost to arona really. He got mounted multiple times which means arona was totally dominant on the ground, he also got cut very very badly. The decision against arona was the SAME NIGHT as when he fought kohsaka or whatever, and kohsaka IMMEDIATELY goes straight for the cut arona gave him and got a stoppage.
Classic BS decision and politics, dare you to prove me wrong Fedor nuthuggers. Reply 2 years ago
Fedor out striking and stuffing Arona at opening of round 2... so far 3 takedowns stuffed and several strikes landed by Fedor... Arona scores 1 take down but is immediately swept and put into an ankle lock... Arona escapes ankle lock to mount Fedor... Arona does nothing in mount and they are stood up... Arona lands a leg kick then eats a few punches from Fedor...Arona lands another take down but ends up in guillotine again...round 2 ends. A more dominant round by Fedor.
Round 3 starts with Fedor striking Arona on the way in to another stuffed take down, and goes into a clinch... Arona using some knees and dirty boxing... Reply 2 years ago
... Fedor continues to stuff Arona's take down attempts...clinch is broken up by ref...good leg kick by Fedor...good left by fedor... another stuffed take down attempt by Arona...Arona looks gassed at this point but lands a good jab, (looks like this jab opened the cut on Fedor's nose) and slowly gets a take down to mount... is stood up pretty quick because Arona has accomplished nothing from mount all fight... another stuffed take down to gorilla-tine attempt by Fedor...Arona turns it into a successful take down...Fedor sweeps Arona and strikes from the top...fight is stood up...Arona tries a take down and round ends in the scramble.
SO........ one round each and the third is up in the air... Arona had 2 or 3 take downs in rd 3 and a good jab that caused damage. Fedor landed a good kick and left hook, had the only submission attempts, and was the only one to do any thing from the top position.
I wouldn't call it a BS decision. It was very close and the judges called it for the striker and not the grappler...like they ALWAYS do. I think it is possible to look at it objectively rather than having to resort to hating or nut-hugging.
Yeah I know these posts were excessive, but I was bored and had too much coffee. Reply 2 years ago
I suppose he'll always have nuthugging fans who dont understand the importance of keeping a drug free fight scene.
Screw them Reply 2 years ago
now put that in your Syringe and poke it Reply 2 years ago
This guy is a ****ing joke realy ..
he doesnt want Fedor to fight somebody who has never tested positive for roids (Overeem), but will fight someone who has tested positive for roids (Barnett)?
Fedor and Finkelstein only want to fight people that are ****ing past there prime time or people that a not at his level !
And thats just a fact ! Werdum? lol Bret Rogers ? lol and now he says after this fight with Werdum he wants to fight Barnett ? thats just sad so in the year 2010 we get to see Fedor fight Barnett + Werdum?
And then some of you guys still clame fedor to be the ****ing number 1 hw in the world? lol thats just sad haha !
I think fedor dont wanne fight Overeem sinds he realy has a shot to ko him thats what i think and yes overeem is a Roid Monkey but still alot of other fights are and thats life some use some dont !
Look what happend here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gJraPajo5Y
And then look what happend here ..
This is something i think Fedor dont like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ue7ownK3DY
And again iam no ****ing Overeem fan or something but i realy think it could be a nice ****ing fight mutch better then Fedor vs Werdum or Barnett haha ! Reply 2 years ago
dat is een lachertje
ik ben nederlander maar echt overeem heeft echt geen kans veels te traag die heeft al een paar klappen gehad voor hij ze aan ziet komen
wwar zou hij toch zo traag van worden? Reply 2 years ago
DAT SHIT LOOKS FUNNY Reply 2 years ago