President of M-1 Global Vadim Finkelstein told about the reasons that forced the legendary Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko to reject the proposal of UFC.
"He was not against signing the contract, but UFC is a rigid organization in all aspects. They put forward a point by which he was not allowed to perform in sambo. We did not agree. Fedor is the face of sambo. He was surprised himself: 'Why cannot I do it? This is my native sport. What does sambo have to do with MMA?' We didn't come to agreement and talks ended. Although if UFC wanted Emelianenko would have been with them.
"Till now I do not understand why was it not allowed? But now their policy has changed. Previously it reached the point that you cannot go to other people's promotions. Almost all convey, sit and afraid of a word to say. Only we had a bunch of other suggestions. Maybe they would have agreed to this," said Finkelstein.
