Props: LowKick.com
Quoteworthy:
"Two out of eight fighters in the tournament previously failed a drug test. Obviously, I'm talking about Josh Barnett and Antonio Silva. We want fair competition for everyone, so that's why I will ask the commission to perform a strict drug testing. Fedor is not using any kind of substance to enhance his performance, and will be ready for any kind of testing. So if the commission decides to follow our suggestion, we'll be ready. Our organization paid a heavy price after the cancellation of the fight between Josh Barnett and Fedor. We did a lot of promotion for this fight, which in the end did not take place. That's why as a promoter and manager, I don't want this to happen ever again."
M-1 President Vadim Finkelchtein wants the commissions to step up and administer "strict drug testing" to insure his top fighter, heavyweight attraction Fedor Emelianenko, is competing on a level playing field during the upcoming Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament. The promotion's grand prix begins on Feb. 12 in East Rutherford, NJ, pitting "The Last Emperor" against former Elite XC Heavyweight Champion Antonio Silva, who failed a post-fight drug test back in 2008. Should Emelianenko advance in the tournament, there's a possibility he could face friend and former PRIDE heavyweight Josh Barnett, who brought Affliction's house of cards tumbling down with his failed drug test in 2009. Anyone think the upcoming tournament will expose more than the promotion's best heavyweight fighter?
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