Fedor Emelianenko and M-1 Global future: events, fighters, strategy

Sherdog published an article about Fedor Emelianenko and M-1 Global future. What else does that article reveal us besides the fact that I was right again and Fedor didn't travel alone (I just couldn't resist saying it :) ) ? A lot of things, actually.

Obviously M-1 Global is working hard even in the early stages to make the multi-million dollar Couture-Emelianenko fight happen.

In the short-term, M-1 Global pushed back its U.S. debut from February to April. The promotion had the chance to book the United Center in Chicago for Feb. 16 but opted against it as fighter negotiations had not progressed accordingly. April 11 now appears to be the targeted date for either the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., USA, or the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J, USA.

Regardless of venue and date, Emelianenko is headlining the event. As for his opponent, Dutchman Semmy Schilt seems to have overtaken Pedro Rizzo and Jeff Monson in favor with Finkelstein and company. The three-time K-1 World Grand Prix champion made a successful comeback to MMA on Jan. 12 and will be in Moscow the second weekend in February to negotiate the details.

Despite his impressive merits, Schilt is virtually unknown stateside. In fact, an Emelianenko-Schilt fight could be pushed back for a show in Holland, where it would be a huge draw. Consequently, IFL star Ben Rothwell, winner of 13 straight, is also in the raffle for a crack at the Russian.

In article, there is more information on so called "M-1 Global Challenges", which are supposed to play a role of a tryouts, with the most impressive fighters to fight in a big M-1 Global events. There will be teams from Holland, Germany, Russia, France, Europe, Japan and America. An excellent way to make a Global MMA and to raise your own talents. At least in theory.

The first such event will be in the Netherlands preparations for the first M-1 Global Challenge are in full swing. Similar to the Yarennoka show in Japan on New Year's Eve, the event will be a joint venture with Slamm Events, one of the biggest kickboxing promoters in the Netherlands. The name of the event is Slamm IV and it will consist of 20 bouts.

Because the preparations for the first event take so much time, the second M-1 Global Challenge supposed to take place in Germany in April is postponed to the second quarter of 2008. Regardless, most of Germany's top fighters have already announced their support of the show.

Finally, we can say that the stable of fighters has been released (to some extent). There is a lot of different fighters' names in that article so you should go and read it. It just didn't felt right to copy&paste the whole article. They also have some rumors about "the big show" probably taking place at the end of this year.