Kamil: We searched big guy w good record for Fedor

Kamil Gazhiev, head of the Fight Nights promotion which will hold an event with Fedor on July 17:

"The contract with Maldonado has been signed. We looked for a big guy with a good record, who's not coming just for a paycheck but planning on winning. We also have other contenders for Fedor fight and negotiations with them are underway since you always need plans ? and ?. Our sport is like that, in case something happens with Maldonado he would be replaced by somebody else".

hendofanforlife - He's won 4 of his last 10 lol. Which was good enough for the UFC where his last fight took place.

The same could be said for Hendo.

Not the level of competition I'd like to see, but Fabio has the hands to KO Fedor, don't doubt that.

 

mada - Fedor better be in shape as there is no quit in Maldonado. I'm sure some disagree, but I like this fight at this stage of Fedor's career. Phone Post 3.0
Agreed. This has the potential to be a fun fight. Fabio has good hands and is tough as fuck. If Fedor takes him down it'll be a bloodbath but if they stay standing I could see them putting on an entertaining scrap. Phone Post 3.0

I'm intruiged.

Fight Nights is a great promotion too. Gadzhiev is picking up good names such as Fedor and Minakov, along with top prospects such as Mikhail Mokhnatkin, Sergey Pavlovich, Rasul Mirzaev, Vladimeer Mineev etc.

Russian and Chechen MMA is thriving at the minute between Fight Nights, ACB, Akhmat and M1.

Everyone is shitting on it. Let's not forget not long ago FEDOR was retired, like never gunna see him fight again retired. And an even shorter time ago he was fighting a guy with under 5 fights, unrecognized name in MMA and no ground game.

Now he's fighting a guy whose last fight was with the most elite organization in the world and had fought former champs and and in multiple weight classes. Look at his fights in UFC, he has scrapped it out with some really good guys at 205. The Beltran, texiera fights were exciting bell to bell, and I'm sure I'm missing another... He's like a chubby Brazilian Diaz brother the way he fights, hell of a chin n keeps coming forward with elite boxing skills. Works the body as well as anyone in MMA.

This is a step from that Deep guy.

This is a Fun opponent

This is a FEDOR fight in 2016.

I personally don't want to see him in the ufc at this stage, we got a glimpse into that during the strikeforce days and I don't want him going out like that. If you're a FEDOR fan and disagree, re watch the Bigfoot fight and tell me you want him in ufc heavyweight division.


Keep giving him fun fights like this for a few years in places that don't test n I'll be happy. I'm thinking rampage, wand or meathead mitrione are all fun viable fights we'd all watch Phone Post 3.0

I like this fight. He doesnt need top 15 guys right now Phone Post 3.0

mada - Fedor better be in shape as there is no quit in Maldonado. I'm sure some disagree, but I like this fight at this stage of Fedor's career. Phone Post 3.0
Like when he fought heavyweight in the ufc and went out cold when stipe hit him with an eye poke? Phone Post 3.0

Hey they searched really hard for a bit and gave up, decided to call Fabio.

I love Fabio. I found him exciting as f to watch. Phone Post 3.0

Maldonado can take a punch and has a gas tank. I like the fight. Could have been worse Phone Post 3.0

Mike_in_CA - Maldonado can take a punch and has a gas tank. I like the fight. Could have been worse Phone Post 3.0
This. Phone Post 3.0

This fight will put asses in seats.

Wait.... is this the russian promotion that is signed with Fight Pass?

SensoriaUtopia - 
Mike_in_CA - Maldonado can take a punch and has a gas tank. I like the fight. Could have been worse Phone Post 3.0


Not from a heavyweight he can't.

Even alexey oleinik knows fedor is shook


Less than 24 hours removed from the announcement that Fedor will meet UFC veteran Fabio Maldonado in the main event of a Fight Nights show in June, Russian heavyweight Alexey Oleinik has already publicly criticized the match-up.

According to the UFC fighter, Fedor has many interesting challengers at his disposal, yet opted to face a fighter on a significant losing streak.

"This is the first time I heard the name Maldonado," Oleinik told Sports-Express. "His is a name nobody knows. I then suggested that he has three defeats in his last four fights. He was fired from the UFC for being unfit. Of course, Fedor is a great option for him."

The Ukranian-born Oleinik suggested that Bellator heavyweight champion Vitaly Minakov would have been a more suitable opponent for Fedor.

"Let Vitaly Minakov take the fight. Very strong, young man. Worthy opponent at a good level. Minakov is a Bellator champion, is healthy and technical. Fights better than Fedor. That would be cool and interesting. That same Minakov is better than Maldonado."

Oleinik is still confused as to why Fedor refused to sign with the UFC after he announced his return from retirement. According to the heavyweight fighter, Fedor was in fact offered a better deal to join the UFC than RIZIN.

"Emelianenko said he was ready for any opponent, including UFC champion Werdum. He said he was open to all suggestions, but he was not satisfied with the terms. I talked with the leaders of the UFC, and was told that Fedor was offered excellent conditions. Any fee that Rizin FF offered, UFC was ready to increase by a hundred thousand dollars."

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2016/4/18/11450170/alexey-oleinik-reveals-ufc-offered-fedor-more-money-than-rizin

Fabio Maldonado? Did he get cut by the ufc or did his contract expire? Phone Post 3.0