... according to Joost Raimond, CEO for M-1 Global, in the latest report from Sherdog.com:

"I can say that the guaranteed -- and the word ‘guaranteed’ is of great importance here -- the guaranteed offer made by the UFC is less than what Fedor made before. The five-million (per fight) is way, way, way out of range. Half of that is even way out of range of what they offered.... And there were a number of provisions attached to that offer that made it very much less interesting. We made it clear that Fedor, now and forever is part, even part owner, of M-1 and those two cannot be separated. If the rest of M-1 is excluded from any kind of deal, it makes the deal difficult.... We had a very professional, productive and respectful meeting with the UFC. I think both parties walked away (knowing) even though a deal wasn’t made, that a very decent meeting was had."

The Fedor Emelianenko circus sweepstakes continues with M-1 officials vehemently denying a report from CBS Radio host Carmichael Dave that the Russian was offered a lucrative deal in the neighborhood of $30 million, in addition to other incentives/concessions, to compete inside the Octagon. Emelianenko and his M-1 counterparts today left the United States without confirmation of a striking a deal with the UFC or any other promotion for that matter, meaning that UFC President Dana White will likely not be making any Emelianenko-related announcements during the conference call set for Friday, July 31. I think ... maybe ...