Anthony Cissell
08-17-2007, 01:52 PM
Date submitted: 17 August 2007
Author: Tom Parkes
--> http://www.mmauniverse.com/news/SS1838
Rumors have been flying around the internet that Fedor Emelianenko has signed a contract for five fights with the Hero's organisation in Japan, worth an estimated $5,000,000 ($1,000,000 per fight).
Such a signing is indeed possible for Hero's, which is backed by the mighty K-1 organisation - the Worlds largest Mixed Martial Arts events organisers - yes bigger even than the UFC. K-1 typically get 40,000 - 50,000 live spectators at their largest events in Japan, and their events are screened live on terrestrial television to millions of loyal Japanese fans.
Hero's was introduced in 2005 and has become an immediate success story - already drawing crowds of 10,000 - 15,000 per event (putting it at the same level as the UFC in the USA, who's highest ever live attendance was 17,000, but typically draw 10,000 - 14,000 per event).
There has been a gap in the Japanese market for the past few months, since Pride was taken over by the UFC and all Pride events stopped in Japan. Hero's has been quick to step in and fill this void and is currently signing top International A-Class fighters such as Alistair Overeem, and it seems reasonable to assume that Hero's realise the drawing power of having Fedor on their event and such a move would immediately raise their stake in the International MMA market.
The UFC have previously been in talks with Fedor, but were unable to come to an agreement, for reasons that neither party were overtly eager to disclose. After several months, it seems that maybe a UFC deal is not on the cards.
Nothing has been confirmed by either Hero's or Fedor Emelianenko's management as of yet, but it seems highly likely that this is a rumour which could be very well founded. Keep your eyes peeled.
Author: Tom Parkes
--> http://www.mmauniverse.com/news/SS1838
Rumors have been flying around the internet that Fedor Emelianenko has signed a contract for five fights with the Hero's organisation in Japan, worth an estimated $5,000,000 ($1,000,000 per fight).
Such a signing is indeed possible for Hero's, which is backed by the mighty K-1 organisation - the Worlds largest Mixed Martial Arts events organisers - yes bigger even than the UFC. K-1 typically get 40,000 - 50,000 live spectators at their largest events in Japan, and their events are screened live on terrestrial television to millions of loyal Japanese fans.
Hero's was introduced in 2005 and has become an immediate success story - already drawing crowds of 10,000 - 15,000 per event (putting it at the same level as the UFC in the USA, who's highest ever live attendance was 17,000, but typically draw 10,000 - 14,000 per event).
There has been a gap in the Japanese market for the past few months, since Pride was taken over by the UFC and all Pride events stopped in Japan. Hero's has been quick to step in and fill this void and is currently signing top International A-Class fighters such as Alistair Overeem, and it seems reasonable to assume that Hero's realise the drawing power of having Fedor on their event and such a move would immediately raise their stake in the International MMA market.
The UFC have previously been in talks with Fedor, but were unable to come to an agreement, for reasons that neither party were overtly eager to disclose. After several months, it seems that maybe a UFC deal is not on the cards.
Nothing has been confirmed by either Hero's or Fedor Emelianenko's management as of yet, but it seems highly likely that this is a rumour which could be very well founded. Keep your eyes peeled.