Emelianenko to White: “Let me face…Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.”
Posted by Chad Edward on February 13th, 2008M-1 Global heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko posted an open letter to UFC President Dana White at Russia-based MFC M-1’s website Saturday, February 9.
“Let my fight with Randy [Couture] happen or let me face the reigning UFC champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira,” Emelianenko challenges.
Emelianenko was responding to White’s frequent accusations that the widely-regarded top-ranked heavyweight in the world is overrated.
“Fedor isn’t even a top-five heavyweight,” White stated in October 2007.
“Allowing yourself to say those things is not a sign of a gentleman or a grown man at all,” the Russian samboist responded in his letter.
The UFC and Emelianenko’s management led by Vadim Finklestein failed to agree to terms to bring Emelianenko into the organization in October 2007.
Emelianenko eventually signed with the newly created M-1 Global promotion. UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture ”resigned” shortly thereafter to pursue a fight with Emelianenko.
Couture was sued in January by Zuffa, LLC, parent company of the UFC, for breach of contract.
Since signing with M-1 Global, Emelianenko, 27-1, tapped out K-1 kickboxer Hong Man Choi on New Years Eve while his former PRIDE foe, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, picked up the interim UFC heavyweight strap after tapping Tim Sylvia at UFC 81 February 2.
At the UFC 81 post-fight press conference, Noguiera called on Couture to fight to legitimize the UFC Heavyweight Championship completing the disappointing triangle atop the heavyweight class.
