Mark Cuban. M-1 Backer?

After snatching top ranked heavyweight, Fedor Emalienenko, from the clutches of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, M-1 has entered the headlines with a flurry. Although M-1 has been around for the better part of a decade, it is seldom mentioned in MMA circles. Reports are that an “American entertainment-related company” has purchased the organization from Fedor's manager for an untold sum, but which includes a $10 million contract with the fighter.

A great deal of speculation abides, as to who this “American entertainment-related company” might be. With numbers as big as $10M being thrown around, the first finger pointing has been Mark Cuban, the US billionaire
An article on ESPN.com from nearly a month ago described an excited Mark Cuban, that saw MMA as the next big thing in sports broadcasting. If he were to be successful in launching a major MMA organization, possibly through his HDnet cable channel, he certainly has the funding to eclipse Zuffa's efforts with the UFC.

2007 has been a year of change and a year of upsets that have matchmakers scrambling to shuffle the order. 2008 seems to promise even more change that could see entirely new faces appearing on the MMA scene.