What we learned from Fedor's Conference Call

Fedor's conference call seemed to have two goals. First, to talk about how he will be headlining EA MMA 2010. Second to reaffirm his position within M-1. 

With regards to the first point one could interpret this as M-1 throwing down the gauntlet at Zuffa as it has been reported that Zuffa will ban fighters who sign on to the upcomming Electronic Arts IP. One could also see this as a move that was already in the works and was slated for announcement anyways. 

To the second point, it should be noted that it is extremely unlikely for Fedor and his management's to telegraph their intentions to the media if their goal is to get a contract in the UFC. Such actions would undoubtedly weaken their negotiating position, which at the moment appears entrenched if not strong. An optimist would see this call as simply M-1 drawing the negotiating lines in the public forum. Whether those lines are absolute is another question though all previous history would indicate that they are. 

If we are to believe Fedor's management then without co-promotion there can be no contract with the UFC. If this is indeed the case then Fedor will never fight in the UFC and fans will need to accept this and move on. In the end both Zuffa and M-1 would bear the blame for Fedor's absence. 

The good news is that they are negotiating though this is starting to feel like Israel-Palestine negotiations.