Fedor Emelianenko Calls UFC Contracts Enslaving
Fedor Emelianenko has been in talks with the UFC about joining the largest MMA promotion in the world for several years, but he never signed. Before the news broke that he would be signing with Rizin Fighting Federation, there were rumblings that he was in talks with the UFC. Those talks were actual true, according to Emelianenko.
Emelianenko stated in a recent interview with Championat that he believes the UFC’s contracts are enslaving for their fighters, and that is the reason he did not sign with them, but rather Rizin.
“I’m not ready to fight under the contract conditions that was offered by the UFC on the terms that they decided. Contract was just draconian and oppressive. I’m not ready to sign such an enslaving contract.”
Emelianenko also said that the UFC should show the fighters more respect.
“First of all, they should show respect for the fighters — the kind of respect I receive in Japan.”
Emelianenko had not fought since October 7th, 2011, which was when he announced his retirement following a first-round knockout of Pedro Rizzo. Emelianenko is 3-3 in his last six, but after a three-fight losing streak in his last three Strikeforce appearances, he ripped off three straight wins. In his last two bouts, he won by the first-round knockout over less quality opponents.
Emelianenko will meet Jaideep Singh at their New Year’s Eve show at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan and will air on Spike TV in the morning. The former Pride President Nobuyuki Sakakibara is the man leading the charge for this new promotion.
