Fedor Blasts Dana White Over UFC Contract Talks

Fedor Emelianenko has taken aim at UFC CEO Dana White over the promotion's handling of contract negotiations during his fighting career.

The Russian heavyweight, who retired in 2023 after losing to Ryan Bader at Bellator 290, told Ushatayka that White's pursuit of him was never made in good faith. According to MMA Fighting, Emelianenko said the UFC only showed interest when he was under contract with rival promotions, particularly around 2009 when he was briefly a free agent after stopping Brett Rogers but ultimately re-signed with Strikeforce.

Emelianenko Questions White's Business Approach

"When I'm free, they aren't interested," Emelianenko said, per a translation provided by Red Corner MMA. "When I'm under contract, the offers start coming, but if you're under contract, you can't sign another one. There would be legal proceedings." He suggested the UFC's strategy was designed to prevent him from competing for Strikeforce rather than genuinely sign him.

The 50-year-old dismissed the idea that White is a legend in his own right. "He simply doesn't stand by his words," Emelianenko said. "His way of doing business doesn't sit well with me. A legend? If someone thinks he's a legend, let them."

Emelianenko also shot down recent rumors linking him to a bout with Francis Ngannou. He clarified that when asked by a fan who he would fight in a dream scenario, he mentioned Ngannou in a boxing context only, noting his body could no longer handle MMA competition. Emelianenko went 28 fights without a loss between 2001 and 2010, defeating Mirko Cro Cop, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Mark Coleman during his prime years in PRIDE.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Fedor Emelianenko addresses Francis Ngannou fight rumor, blasts Dana White: ‘He simply doesn’t stand by his words’