M-1 Global and Emelianenko "Still Together"

Because of a Ryan Hockensmith article published 6 March at ESPN The Magazine’s website, it’s been a foregone conclusion for nearly a fortnight that Fedor Emelianenko (27-1) would “divorce” M-1 Global.

“Officially, yes, Fedor will be a free agent,” Apy Echteld, one of Emelianenko’s agents, told Hockensmith.

But, hold on!  There’s the inconvenience of an iron-clad contract in the way.  MMA fans should be smarter after the Contract Law 101 course we’ve all taken since “The Natural” Randy Couture (16-8) “resigned” from his Zuffa LLC contract in October 2007.

Hockensmith reported, “A source close to the situation previously told The Magazine: M-1 Global and Emelianenko will part ways some time in the next week.”

Yet, next week has come and gone now.

M-1 Global Vice President Brian Patton told me hours ago, “Our relationship [with Emelianenko]…is still unresolved, which means we are all still together.”

Recall it was an agent who advised Couture to “resign” from his Zuffa LLC contract.  Now, again, recall how well that’s worked out.  The word “clusterfuck” comes to mind.

Couture and Zuffa LLC have had one court matchup to date, regarding Couture’s participation in the IFL.

Zuffa 1, Couture 0.

Emelianenko may well receive his release from M-1 Global eventually, and Emelianenko’s management’s involvement in M-1 Global may precipitate that; but, it won’t be because of his agent’s declaration to ESPN The Magazine.  That’s what agents do; but, that’s not how contracts work.  Just ask Randy Couture.