Quote:
Originally Posted by SocraticMethod
I think both aspects weigh into it. You don't want to risk one of your guys getting hurt, and you don't want them to get beat by someone outside your company. If Fedor signs and Lesnar beats him, wahoo for the UFC - they market Lesnar as the guy who beat Fedor. If he loses in a different combat sport or different MMA org, now he loses the aura of invincibility, and you don't benefit from having the guy that took it away. If he gets hurt in a sambo tourney, you void his contract, but you don't make the money he would have brought in over the duration of that contract.
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This is true, but it only really applies to the champion. That is why the UFC manhandled Randy Couture but were more than happy to let Tim Sylvia go. If Randy wanted to break his contract right now, the UFC would probably let him...of course no one cares about that fight anymore.
As for Sambo, I think it is all about injury, not whether he wins or loses. If Rashad Evans participated in a wrestling tournament, came in third, and returned to the UFC, he would still be the undefeated champion. Fedor would be the same, and since Sambo is not popular in the US, most people wouldn't know anyway. On the flipside, if Anderson Silva goes off and gets mauled by Roy Jones Jr. on HBO, the UFC might not be too happy.
The main sticking point is, and has always been Vadim Finklestien's insisting on the UFC co-promoting with M-1. He's using Fedor as his pawn to gain exposure for his own MMA organization. As long as the UFC refuses to co-promote, he will not allow Fedor to fight for them, even if the UFC gives in on all other conditions. Personally, I think the day Fedor even has a glimmer of hope of appearing in the UFC will be the day that Fedor, himself, speaks to Dana or Lorenzo.