According to the co-owner of the Dutch MMA site FightTalk.nl, Aleksander Emelianenko (sometimes incorrectly spelled as Alexander Emelianenko) will be fighting Gilbert Yvel in February in Chicago (USA) in the first event organized by a new M-1 Global organization.
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| Aleksander Emelianenko |
In should be noted that Aleksander Emelianenko was supposed to fight Gilbert Yvel in a M-1 - Russia vs. Europe event in July 2007, but Yvel withdraw from a fight due to injury and was replaced by Jessie Gibson (1-0-0 at that time).
Aleksander Emelianenko's last fight was two weeks ago in the Canadian HCF (Hardcore Championship Fighting) organization against Dan "The Bull" Bobish, which was won by Aleksander via Tapout (Guillotine Choke) at 1:09 in R1.
This is very interesting information because it is well known fact that Gilbert "The Hurricane" Yvel (31-11-1), a Dutch Muay Thai fighter, known for his bad temper (he was disqualified three times for Biting, Eye Gouging and KO'd the referee), is not allowed to fight in the USA. It has also been widely known information that Aleksander Emelianenko can't even enter the United States because of his past criminal record. And now we are told that both of these fighters will fight in the USA...
According to the same source, M-1 Global seems to came to an agreement about everything with the needed Athletic Commissions and therefore they both can appear in a ring. This is also big news, because as far as I know, Mixed Martial Arts is forbidden in the state of Illinois (where Chicago is) and this agreement is showing a great lobbying skills by the new M-1 Global organization. After this, the incredible insider information that M-1 Global might have reached an agreement with the ESPN, is not that unbelievable, is it?..
According to the rumours, the second M-1 Global event is organized in Japan. The third one might be in the Netherlands.
2 comments:
MMA in Illinois is not illegal. It can go on without sanctioning bodies regulating it. MMA events are held throughout the state, as I live there. It will be approved in January most likely, but sanctioning will not take place until July. This will allow M-1 to use the ring, PRIDE rules, and escape from using unified MMA rules.
Yvel and Aleks only need to get their visas passed through. Yvel will most likely be able to enter, but the U.S. has very strict laws. Canada also has strict laws, and Aleks seemed to get through those. We may see them in Chicago.
Other fact is ESPN is not confirmed. Monte Cox confirmed on Friday that the deal was not done at all and he had yet to speak to two other groups. ESPN is in the mix, but it's definitely not a deal that is secured whatsoever. ESPN would be a step up, but ABC is ESPN's parent company, and they seem to be a rather conservative organization to violent sports other than football.
I had my doubts and they were confirmed at fightopinion. I was going to post a remark on the MMA in Chicago area issue, just hadn't had time to do it yet.
Thanks Leland for the valuable feedback and information!
No, he hasn't approved/secured it. But take look at this thing. ESPN name hasn't been named before me (as a candidate and not just as a whining "HBO won't help, they need something like ESPN"). I posted my information on 25th and that interview was on 26th. And when they asked him about the ESPN, he was noticeably surprised, paused and only after that said that they are also in a mix.
I wasn't saying that ESPN deal is a sure thing. It's not. But chances are high, imho. It should also be noted, that we know nothing about the network channel. It might be ESPN but so small that it doesn't make any difference...
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