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Vadim Finkelstein, the founder of M-1 Global, believes the UFC could find some success in Russia – but appears to believe the promotion would need his assistance to do so.

Finkelstein, who continues to promote M-1 despite the loss of megastar Fedor Emelianenko, recently discussed the UFC entering his country in an interview with Combat Bear.

“I don’t think the UFC will hold fights very often in Russia. Maybe once a year, but Russia is not the right place for them. I’m ready to give them my champions if we can come to an agreement. We have a lot of experience.”

Previously, the UFC tried to bring Emelianenko into the UFC, but always had issues dealing with Finkelstein, who insisted on co-promotion. The UFC is not likely to use any of the M-1 Global fighters if Finkelstein insists on co-promoting.

As for Fedor, Finkelstein said he takes “every opportunity to convince Fedor to return. He still has more to show us.”

Emelianenko retired last year and has insisted he will remain retired following the passing of his father.

Photo credit: Taro Irei/Sherdog

Former heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko was a guest on HDNet’s Inside MMA recently. “The Last Emperor” opened up on his decision to retire following a win over Pedro Rizzo last weekend.

I’ve got daughters, and they’re growing up without me. This is very, very difficult for me. Family is always first place for me, so this is the time.

Emelianenko said that no significant offers were presented to him to continue fighting. He will likely go down as one of the greatest fighters to never grace the UFC’s Octagon – if his retirement holds up.

During the interview, Fedor was asked if the constant questions surrounding his retirement date played any factor in his decision, which he denied.

People will accept my decision. They gotta understand that it’s my decision and I’ve got to go. You shouldn’t be disappointed that I’m leaving. Life is going on. I want to thank everyone who has supported me. Eventually the time to go was coming. My time has come. We’ll try to make some new MMA stars.

As for any future fights, Fedor did leave the door cracked open, saying, “I’m not promising, but anything is possible.”

Photo credit: James Law/MMA Fighting

In case you missed it, and you probably did, there was an M-1 Global show this afternoon.

Featuring a headlining bout between Fedor Emelianenko and Pedro Rizzo, diehard fans, or people with nothing to do during the day, were treated to a relatively good card, with some exciting fights.

Mikhail Malyutin took on Renat Gasanov to open the show, and it was pretty sloppy. Between the two fighters slipping and sliding around the ring, to the M-1 level grappling battles that ensued, it was tough to watch. Malyutin managed to get the better of his foe on the mat though, and finished Gasanov with strikes in the first frame.

Marat Gafurov and Mairbek Taisumov went toe to toe for the full fifteen minutes, but the attention was not on the fight, it was on the poor judging. Taisumov outlanded his opponent and very clearly won all three rounds of the bout, only to lose a split decision to the unbeaten prospect Gafurov.

Jeff Monson picked up yet another quick submission win. The veteran pulled guard on Denis Komkin, swept to get top control, and finished his opponent with a north-south choke in the first round.

The M-1 lightweight strap was defended as Musa Khamanaev made short work Daniel Weichel with a deep heel hook. Khamanaev his opponent down early, and that was all he needed to do, grabbing a leg and forcing the tap at 1:48 of round 1.

Low-level heavyweight MMA was on full display as Guram Gugenishvili took on Kenny Garner for the M-1 Global heavyweight championship. With slippery grappling, and amusing displays of poor endurance, the two big men exchanged blows on the feet, and on the mat, with each getting more and more exhausted as the fight went on. In the third round, Garner suffered a pretty serious gash around his eye, but persevered and put on a strong showing to end the round. Gugenishvili took awhile to get up following the round, and didn’t answer the bell for the fourth. He walked out of the ring, and out of the fight.

In the main event, Fedor Emelianenko looked every bit his old self, though his performance was perhaps overshadowed by how little the bout meant. After a few slow exchanges, where Rizzo hardly engaged, Fedor started landing left hooks that obviously flustered the Brazilian. Less than two minutes into the bout, Fedor dropped Rizzo, followed him to the mat, and knocked him out cold with some vicious ground and pound.

Results

• Mikhail Malyutin def. Renat Gasanov via TKO (Punches) at 3:16 of Round One
• Marat Gafurov def. Mairbek Taisumov via Split Decision
• Jeff Monson def. Denis Komkin via Submission (North-South Choke) in Round One
• Musa Khamanaev def. Daniel Weichel via Submission (Heel Hook) at 1:48 of Round One
• Kenny Garner def. Guram Gugenishvili via TKO (Retirement) at 5:00 of Round Three
• Fedor Emelianenko def. Pedro Rizzo via Knockout (Punches) at 1:24 of Round One

Photo Credit: M-1 Global

Legendary heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko will retire following his next fight with Pedro Rizzo, the 35-year-old told the Russian television outlet isport.ua.

“It will be the last fight of my career. It’s time to end my career.”

Fedor (33-4) and Rizzo (19-9) will meet in the main event of an M-1 Global pay-per-view from St. Petersburg, Russia on June 21.

Emelianenko is a former PRIDE champion and competed for Strikeforce. He lost his final three fights inside a Strikeforce cage, and has since fought around the world. His most recent victories include Jeff Monson and Satoshi Ishii.

Photo credit: Taro Irei/Sherdog

The odds of ever seeing Brock Lesnar or Fedor Emelianenko competing inside the Octagon in the future would best be described as slim-to-none.

However, as UFC president Dana White told MMA Interviews recently, Emelianenko and Lesnar were very close to being matched together. It was Fedor’s management team, led by Vadim Finkelchtein, that kept the mega-bout from happening.

I really don’t hate Fedor. His management team made the biggest (expletive) in the history of all sports. We flew down there and tried to make Brock Lesnar vs. Fedor and it was for big, big money. They (expletive) laughed at it. I told (Finkelchtein) and he knows I (expletive) told him – not Fedor, Vadummy – I told Vadummy, ‘You’re one punch away from being with zero.’ He didn’t take it. They thought they were too cool and too slick.

Fedor went to Strikeforce, lost three straight to the likes of Fabricio Werdum, Antonio Silva and Dan Henderson, and is now competing around the world against such notables as Jeff Monson and Pedro Rizzo.

Lesnar, meanwhile, has since retired from MMA and returned to pro wrestling, signing a contract with the WWE.

Photo credit: M-1 Global

While most of us were sleeping, Fedor Emelianenko’s next opponent was named.

The once-great heavyweight will face three-time UFC heavyweight title contender Pedro Rizzo in the main event of a M-1 Global card from St. Petersburg, Russia on June 21.

The fight is scheduled for the Ice Palace, with the card likely airing on pay-per-view in the U.S.

“Fedor’s opponent for June 21 is Pedro ‘The Rock’ Rizzo!!” M-1 Global official Evgeni Kogan posted on his Twitter account early Friday morning.

Emelianenko (33-4) has won his last two fights, defeating Jeff Monson and Satoshi Ishii. He lost three straight in Strikeforce, falling to Fabricio Werdum, Antonio Silva and Dan Henderson.

Rizzo (19-9) has not competed in two years. Other rumored opponents for Fedor were Bobby Lashley and Rolles Gracie.

Photo credit: Sherdog

Rolles Gracie confirmed on his Twitter account that his manager is in talks with M-1 Global for a future date, possibly with former heavyweight king Fedor Emelianenko.

Where there is smoke there is fire. My manager is under negotiation with M1. We’re really close to make this fight against Fedor happen.

Gracie, 33 years old, is a third-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He made one appearance with the UFC, falling to Joey Beltran back in 2010.

Overall, Gracie sports a record of 6-1 in MMA.

Emelianenko, meanwhile, has signed to compete on June 21 in St. Petersburg, Russia. M-1 Global Director of Operations Evgeni Kogan said an opponent would be named soon for Fedor after making the announcement for the fight date.

While Gracie may not carry the same stock as a Todd Duffee, his name-power will help any event reach higher levels. Fedor vs. Gracie has a pretty nice ring to it, wouldn’t you say?

Former heavyweight king Fedor Emelianenko will seek a third consecutive victory when he returns to action on June 21 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

M-1 Global Director of Operations Evgeni Kogan confirmed Fedor’s next fight on his Twitter account. Kogan, however, did not announce an opponent for him at this time.

“Breaking!!! Fedor Emelianenko fighting on June 21st, Ice Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia. News on the opponent to come!” Kogan posted.

Fedor has rebounded from three straight losses in Strikeforce to defeat Jeff Monson and Satoshi Ishii. Many have tried to push for him to replace Alistair Overeem in a match with Junior dos Santos for the UFC heavyweight title after Overeem’s recent failed drug test.

Also on the rumor front is a report that Bobby Lashley, a former WWE superstar and one-time Strikeforce fighter, will be named the opponent for Emelianenko. Lashley is 7-1 in his MMA career.

Photo credit: Taro Irei/Sherdog

Could Bobby Lashley be Fedor Emelianenko’s next opponent?

Well, according to Lashley, it’s a possibility. He told Fighters Only recently that he’s on M-1 Global’s list of potential opponents for Fedor and he’s definitely down if they want to book the fight.

Lashley also spoke about the possibility of a fight with the legendary Fedor Emelianenko. “The guy’s got a tremendous amount of fights under his belt… I’d like to fight him.”

According to Lashley, Fedor’s managers are currently looking for the Russian MMA veteran’s next opponent, and his name is on the list of potential matchups. “I’m going to throw everything at him that I can. Of course, my wrestling’s there, I don’t give a damn what he’s doing. I’d put my wrestling up there with almost anyone right now.

“I think that my wrestling would trump some of the things that he has. I know he’s a great fighter, but if I fought him then of course I’m going to try and wrestle him down… If it was Dave [Bautista], I’m standing and banging with him. I’ve been doing a lot of boxing.”

“I wanna fight the best, so if I have an opportunity to fight Fedor, let’s do it. If I have an opportunity to fight anyone right now let’s just damn do it.”

Fedor Emelianeko vs. Bobby Lashley? Gee, can’t wait for that one. (rolls eyes)

Lashley also says he has an offer on the table from Bellator, but he doesn’t know all the details yet. Nevertheless, Lashley says he would “love to fight for them.”

Image via Esther Lin for Strikeforce/Showtime

Update: M-1′s Evgeni Kogan tells USA Today that any Fedor vs. Lashley rumors are premature:

“There are currently no concrete conversations about Bobby being the next opponent for Fedor,” Kogan wrote, adding that Emelianenko probably will fight two or three times this year.

Possible locations for the summer fight include Monaco and Russia, according to Kogan.

Speaking to MMA Junkie, Kogan added that they’re leaning towards “an European fighter” to fight Fedor next.

A New Year’s Eve bout between Fedor Emelianenko and Satoshi Ishii has been rumored for weeks now.

Today, it became official. M-1 Global and DREAM have announced that Fedor will in fact face Olympic gold medalist Satoshi Ishii at DREAM New Year! 2011 in Japan.

M-1Global and DREAM officials announced today that legendary heavyweight Fedor “ The Last Emperor” Emelianenko will be facing Olympic Gold Medalist in Judo Satoshi Ishii on December 31, 2011 as part of  FIELDS presents FIGHT FOR JAPAN “Genkidesuka!! Oomisoka!! 2011! The event, which takes place from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, will be broadcast in North America on HDNet.

The event marks the return of Fedor Emelianenko to Japan after a 3-year absence.

“M-1 Global in cooperation with Dream is very pleased to announce the bout which will bring the world’s attention to Japan on December 31” – said M-1 Global Director of Operations Evgeni Kogan, “Fedor has been in great shape, and is ready for what we think will be a hard and competitive fight.”

The fight may be on, but it remains to be seen if it will in fact be competitive. Ishii entered the MMA world with a lot of hype and fanfare and was even courted by the UFC despite not having a single professional fight under his belt, but has largely been a disappointment. After losing to Hidehiko Yoshida in his pro debut, Ishii managed to pick up wins against Tafa Misipati, Ikuhisa Minowa, Katsuyori Shibata and Jerome Le Banner, but hasn’t fought anyone even close to Fedor’s level. If he were to somehow win, it would likely be the biggest upset of the year.

Image via Esther Lin for Strikeforce/Showtime