On Tuesday, January 4, M-1 Global and Strikeforce announced that they had come to terms on a new multi-fight agreement to promote events headlined by Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko. On February 12, the first fight under the new contract will take place at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Against Antonio “Big Foot” Silva, Fedor will step into the cage. In a Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament, the Fedor vs. Silva fight will be one of four quarterfinal fights. One other quarterfinal bout, Andrei Arlovski vs. Sergei Kharitonov will also be featured in the February 12th event.

M-1 Global President Vadim Finkelchtein, Emelianenko’s manager told that the new deal is for four fights. Finkelchtein added that they were working on the deal for a long time and everyone was interested in continuing the relationship between M-1 Global and Strikeforce. He said that the matter was to make sure that everyone was happy.

He added that Fedor’s requirements was not out of the ordinary and it was just a matter of security and for Fedor, that certain things would be guaranteed, if he performed the way to which he is accustomed. At the end of the day, what mattered were both sides respecting each other.

About Fedor’s new contract, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said that they are thrilled to have come to a long-term agreement with Fedor and M-1 Global. The MMA fans worldwide will be truly captivated to have the greatest MMA fighter of all-time put his legacy on the line in a single-elimination tournament. He added that in the world, Strikeforce is home to the best heavyweight division and the athlete who runs the gauntlet in a tournament such as this would have to be considered the best heavyweight fighter in the world.

For his part, Fedor said that he has been training very hard since his last fight and he cannot wait to get back in the cage. He added that with the best heavyweights in the world, Strikeforce has assembled a roster and together with M-1 GLOBAL, we have the opportunity to fight the best in a great tournament format.

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