Does Fedor Emelianenko need to finish his career in the UFC?

[DMan37]

Does Fedor Emelianenko need to finish his career in the UFC to be considered ultimately the greatest heavyweight ever?

One of three wars with Big Nog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4MrzCkuKq0
Big Nog & Fedor do battle



It would appear the root of the reason why Emelianenko has not fought in the UFC is because of conflicting differences between UFC President Dana White and Fedor's manager and management team Vadim Finkelstein, and M-1 Global. White has given the perspective of Vadim being completely in control of Fedor's career. Finkelstein seems to feel that White is not offering the right money and contract offerings that satisfy his wishes for his fighter. Fedor seems to put 100% trust in his managers abilities and sticks to fighting. Perhaps White has met his match with Finkelstein and will be forced to relent his normally relentless business savvy to land the great heavyweight before the window of opportunity elapses.

I think Fedor needs the UFC and the UFC needs Fedor and thus both sides will eventually agree to terms. I just hope it happens while he is still on top of his game.

Thoughts?

[DMan37]

Sorry guys. There was additional text to this thread that for some reason would not print out.

[VictorCharlie]

No...Wins over Big Nog, Mirko, Arlovksi, Hunt, Sylvia, Coleman, Randleman etc put him well ahead of anyone's resume. Its not just the wins but the manner with which he did them that make him great. With a win over Barnett the guy has beaten just about every meaningful HW of the last several years. If Velasquez/DeSantos/Carwin end up dominating the UFC HW picture then I could see it being a question that hangs over his legacy but right now a fight with Couture means nothing, Lesnar is still just a freak show and I'm pretty sure he'd crush Mir.

[DMan37]

No...Wins over Big Nog, Mirko, Arlovksi, Hunt, Sylvia, Coleman, Randleman etc put him well ahead of anyone's resume. Its not just the wins but the manner with which he did them that make him great. With a win over Barnett the guy has beaten just about every meaningful HW of the last several years. If Velasquez/DeSantos/Carwin end up dominating the UFC HW picture then I could see it being a question that hangs over his legacy but right now a fight with Couture means nothing, Lesnar is still just a freak show and I'm pretty sure he'd crush Mir.

I agree with you in terms of talent. He is "hands down" the best out there right now. But in terms of actually conquering the UFC in reality? I think it must be done to cement his legacy and take away the naysayers that will say he never did it in the cages of the UFC. The UFC is the big dance of MMA.

[VictorCharlie]

As far as HWs go Pride had a lot more esteem. He owned it. To the casual fan who sees MMA as UFC your sentiment may be true but to people that have been following for years conquering the UFC would be another feather in an already heavy cap. Honestly with wins over Sylvia/Arlovski/Big Nog he has wins over 3 of the last 4 UFC HW champs

[DMan37]

For all realistic purposes though Arlovski and Sylvia's best days were behind them by the time they met Fedor. And Big Nog took him to the brink all 3 times they went. No dominating wins there for Fedor over Big Nog.

I'm certainly not taking anything away from the guy. I just think he will need to make the move to gain the notoriety needed to be considered the best ever. I am too a long time MMA fan. I think he needs the UFC. I think he is Top 5 all time without them and could be best ever with them.