April 08, 2008 By: Sam Caplan Category: Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia
According to a published report, a heavyweight clash between former Pride Fighting Championship heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko and former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia to take place on July 19 is in the works.
Greg Savage and Evengi Kogan of Sherdog.com first reported the news on Tuesday afternoon.
The Sherdog report, which quotes Emelianenko as a source, goes on to indicate that the fight is tentatively scheduled to take place at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas. One of the primary promoters for the event appears to be the clothing line Affliction, while Mark Cuban’s HDNet could be involved in some capacity.
MMAWeekly.com later issued a report of their own, which included a quote from Sylvia’s manager, Monte Cox. Cox would not confirm or deny the report, however, he did say Sylvia was open to the idea of a bout against Fedor but that nothing has been signed.
The MMA Weekly and Sherdog reports vary slightly, as Sherdog quotes Fedor as confirming the fight while MMA Weekly quotes Sylvia’s camp as saying nothing has been signed.
As of Tuesday evening, all indications made to FiveOuncesOfPain.com (www.FiveOuncesOfPain.com) were that a deal had yet to be signed but could be finalized shortly. Sources also indicate that while HDNet could be involved, the initial airing of the event would most likely take place on pay-per-view. We have also learned that a very strong undercard is being planned for the event as well.
Sherdog Article:
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
by Evgeni Kogan and Greg Savage
Top ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko will fight Tim Sylvia on July 19. The Russian mixed martial arts champion confirmed the bout to Sherdog.com on Tuesday.
"[Sylvia] is a good fighter, a strong fighter, the former UFC heavyweight champion, which is important," Emelianenko said via telephone from Stary Oskol, Russia. "I am looking forward to fighting him and training hard for this fight."
While Emelianenko was short on details, Sherdog.com has learned through sources close to the negotiations that Fedor-Sylvia would headline a card tentatively scheduled for the American Airlines Center in Dallas, the home base of HDNet Fights.
HDNet Fights CEO Andrew Simon declined to comment on the report, however sources indicate the bout will air on the Mark Cuban-owned network and is rumored to be promoted by Affliction, a clothing brand closely tied to MMA.
Affliction had been connected with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, however a June 28 Las Vegas date has since been discarded.
Emelianenko, a 31-year-old sambo practitioner, has faced criticism from media and fans alike after a string of fights against less than stellar competition. Sylvia would represent the Russian's first ranked opponent since his unanimous decision over Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic nearly three years ago.
Widely regarded as the top heavyweight fighter in the world, Emelianenko (27-1-0, 1 NC) was recently freed from a letter of intent binding him to the now-defunct M-1 Global promotion.
Sylvia, 32, is coming off a submission loss to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in February at UFC 81. After a spirited performance that saw him batter his foe at will with strikes, Sylvia (24-4-0) eventually fell victim to a classic Nogueira come-from-behind performance and succumbed to a guillotine choke early in the third round.
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