According to reports in different media outlets, Fedor Emelianenko and his management team have cut ties with Monte Cox and M-1 Global, The No Holds Barred Show has learned.

After the newly-recreated promotion announced its signing of the near-consensus #1 heavyweight in October 2007, a lack of updates from M-1 Global has spurned rumors about a falling out between Vadim Finklestein and Apy Echteld – Emelianenko’s managers – and M-1 Global CEO Monte Cox.

A detailed story filed by Sherdog.com’s Josh Gross includes a report in which Echteld told ESPN that he was willing to renegotiate with Zuffa – the parent company of the UFC – once the business relationship with M-1 Global is formally terminated.

Cox, for his part, still denies the apparent fallout.

Since the signing of Emelianenko to M-1 Global, he has only fought once. The event was the New Year’s Eve “Yarennoka!!” where he faced the still-green Korean giant Hong Man Choi. The bout ended in the first round.

This event was apparently a move to demonstrate M-1 Global’s willingness to co-promote and send contracted fighters to other MMA fights.

Further adding to the mystery behind Gross’ report, he cites an anonymous source who claims that Emelianenko is expected to renege on a purported $1.5 million signing bonus.

Upon the confirmation of the falling out, other MMA promoters have expressed some degree of ability to bid for the heavyweight’s services.

Among them is Elite XC, who state in the linked article that they would want to negotiate with Emelianenko and his management if he is indeed a free agent.

Mark Cuban’s HD Net Fights is also interested, but in an emailed statement to the Sherdog editor claimed that they want to focus more on a long-term vision with their promotion and are not unilaterally nor blindly going to bid for the Russian’s services.

One final point regarding the involvement of promoter’s bidding wars is made in the report, concerning World Victory Road and Dream. Though the MMA market in Japan was seen as the top, it is now in a state of re-building, and the possibility of Emelianenko fighting overseas again is given a small degree of weight.

Contractual details are listed. Supposedly, the Russian star was to have complied with a $12 million contract payable over a six-fight term within two years.

The possibility of Emelianenko signing with Zuffa is further added with the Couture factor – that is, if the fight does indeed come together, this may lead Randy Couture back to the UFC for his last fight.

Reporting of this story came largely from Sherdog.com’s Josh Gross.

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