UFC Rejects Offer To Co-Promote Couture-Fedor

[Will]

We've been covering the story that disgruntled UFC star Randy Couture wants to fight Fedor Emelianenko, who is considered by many to be the #1 heavyweight MMA fighter in the world. To recap, Couture stated that he's not retired and he intends to fight Emelianenko after his UFC employment agreement expires on October 11, 2008.

This week, Randy Couture reached out to the UFC and made an offer where they could co-promote the showdown along with M-1 Global, the company Emelianenko works for. Here's what Couture told the Houston Chronicle:

"We got an official offer from M-1 to the UFC to do a co-promotion for the Couture-Emelianenko fight, and they (UFC) rejected that offer. Really, the only thing standing in the way for that fight right now is Dana and the UFC. Obviously, M-1 is happy to do a co-promotion like that. It only serves to help them. I think the UFC is looking at it the other way, and it's like why do we want to help out another organization? The fans want to see that fight. At some point, you have to put that first."

[gator]

dana white should do this we need to shut every body up when they say randy could beat fedor it be awesome to see randy get destroyed

[Will]

That is exactly why we WONT see this fight. Dana's not a stupid man so he isn't going to send his 44 year old world champion, with a 69% career winning percentage, to Japan to fight the undefeated #1 fighter in the world and have the competitions top fighter destroy his. Dana's pride wont let him back this fight.

[gator]

that and money if somebody could make a big enough offer it may happen then
you have contracts and bitching about who is going to promote the show and
where the fight will take place it sucks as fans will not get to see this fight

[The Mac]

the only way i could see this happening
is if the fight waz in vegas
and on a ufc pay per view

[reyfinkel]

the fight will be awesome, I don't know why Couture fights a tune up in UFC to get out of his contract.

[Attila]

Danna should just have 'em fight on a PPV.

No doubt tho, Couture would get his ass whooped.

[wedge]

The fight is closer to happening now. Fedor is essentially a free agent again and he is reportedly renegotiating with UFC. Rumor also has it that Mark Cuban and his promotion are looking to set up the fight if the UFC can't or if they can't get Couture back with the company.
I wouldn't write Couture off. If anyone out there right now has a shot at taking out Fedor, it would be the Natural.
Guess we'll have to wait and see.