The notion of riding another person’s coattails could easily be interpreted as a negative, but in the growing world of MMA, it would appear to be a definite positive (or even a necessity) – especially for any fighters not currently associated with the UFC.
After all, most dedicated UFC fans would probably refuse to believe that any MMA organizations beyond the UFC even exist. Organizations such as Strikeforce have been passed off as “make believe” or an “urban myth”. A “marketing illusion” if you will.
UFC Fans believe in Bellator FC or Bodog about as much as they believe in Santa Claus (and no…I’m not talking about Kimbo Slice).
“Riding coattails is a metaphor that refers to the way in which lower level or uninspiring celebrities can often reach stardom through their ties to another, more popular and successful celebrity. This can often be used as a generic phrase for anyone that hangs onto another person as they forge ahead, without effort from the hanger-on.”
Until this past November Strikeforce event on CBS featuring Fedor Emelianenko, I was like many I’m sure, personally and completely unaware of Mousasi’s existence (I guess I’m not as “hardcore” as the rest of you – but I’m learning).
This news shocked me however:
“When asked when he expects to fight in MMA again, Mousasi noted that his contract states he can only compete on the same Strikeforce shows that feature his fellow M-1 Global fighter, Fedor Emelianenko.”
“So when he fights, I will fight too.” (MMA.Fanhouse.com)
Fedor is obviously a huge name in MMA and it would serve to the advantage of any fighter who would be scheduled on the same card as him, but for Gegard to actually have it stipulated directly into his contract is something new and unexpected (at least to me).
Not saying it’s a bad idea – just wondering how long it will take for Gegard to realize that as the current Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion (and former Dream Middleweight Champion, Cage Warriors Middleweight Champion) he should be drawing his own audience in order to prove his worth.
Let’s be honest, the only real reason the November Strikeforce show received as much attention as it did was because of the main event fight between Fedor Emelianenko and Brett Rogers (another fighter who I had not been aware of up until that point).
So obviously there is something to be said for tagging along.
Gegard Mousasi is a Superstar in the making. When will he get there? Maybe when he beats Dan Henderson (easier said then done)? Maybe never.
As such, Gegard’s popularity has got to be concerning Strikeforce more than just a little.
In fact, Strikeforce president, Scott Coker recently had this to say:
“Well, I don’t want to get into the whole Dana White thing. All I can say is, how often does a guy like Dan Henderson become available? He’s a main event fighter. Every promotion would like to have Dan Henderson fight in a main event for them. Main event fighters are few and far between, and when you get a guy like Dan, who can contend for titles in two weight classes, it’s a good day for Strikeforce. Dan said he’d let me know after Christmas what weight class he wants to start in. He and Gegard (Mousasi) is a natural fight and he against Jake Shields for our middleweight title is a fight he would want. He would like to fight in both weight classes. We’re excited to get Dan in the mix, and we’re going to have more signings soon. We’re continuing to build Strikeforce as a mixed martial arts company and Dan is a big part of that.” (MMA Fanhouse)
Doesn’t this help to put Dana White’s opinion of Dan Henderson in a bit more perspective?
Dana White’s biggest complaint (if we take anything that Dana White says as being the truth) about Dan Henderson was that he was not a big enough draw on his own as a headliner.
Well maybe it’s just me, but I think that if your LHW champion is all but refusing to headline his own show (forget about whether or not he COULD), than I have to ask…
What good is Gegard Mousasi to Strikeforce?
Is it that Strikeforce doesn’t believe in Mousasi or is it that Mousasi doesn’t believe in himself?
Either way, as good as he is, he’s just not ready to be a “Champion” in this sport.
Maybe next year.
very good article my man, i had no idea he would only fight with fedor on the card.. i knnow they train together, and even did a submission tourney and fought each other and fedor won..
hes a stud i was totally impressed when he dismantled babalu… whos no joke
id like to see him in UFC
thanks and ya it would be great to see him in the ufc but unfortunately he and Fedor seemed joined at the M-1 hip
that and the russian mob
Mous ..unlike Fedor is the real deal…and although neither one has been tested in the big leagues..my guess is that Mousasi with his excellent boxing background would fair much better than Fedor…
But you are right, he needs to get his own (contract )deals. Fedor and his handlers are control freaks who mooch off their fighters…and wont allow them to ever fight in the big show.
As for Hendo,…he will get a strikeforce title but—that's about as good as Fedor's titles—it's worthless in the grand scheme of things.
I feel that Hendo may even fight fight Fedor , they both are similar styled…load -up right hand power grapplers…and they both like to use the same knock out punch—which is the ” look low throw high one shot jaw breaker “..( see bisping vs Hendo, or Fedor vs Arlovski, or rogers ..same punch)
Bottom line for Hendo is that he is running out of time and wants to make his big money fast…thats his reasoning ..my opinion…
Thanks Stoker
It's good that Gegard can use Fedor's popularity to create a name for himself (and much to his credit he can certainly fight) but eventually he would have to branch off. You don't hear GSP saying that he'll only fight on the nights that Lesnar is scheduled to fight. A Champion should be the draw. Hendo will be a very needed dynamic at Strikeforce if he can beat Gegard.
Hendo SHOULD go for the money. They all should. Most fighters are grossly underpaid compared to how much the UFC makes off of their efforts.
Thanks a bunch Stoker!!!!
Interesting take.
In my eyes Mousasi is going to be a huge star in this sport, great all-around skill set and killer instinct.
Where the flags on this deal get thrown up for me is on how his contract was structured to coincide with Fedor being on the cards. Something just doesn't sit right with me about the way M-1 operates.
I think it is a smart move for mousasi to gain exposure
Good read man.
Mousasi could be a star, but like you stated, he's being overshadowed by Fedor. If Mousasi would realize this, he could go to the UFC and get his name out there against some of the best fighters in the world, many whom I think he could defeat. Maybe he's like Fedor, ducking the best competition in the world?
This contract stipulation is about two things.
One, M-1 consolidating their influence on Strikeforce cards by having their biggest star, and best rising star/champ on the same cards.
Secondly, its about Mousasi getting as much exposure as possible so that they can cash in on him during the next go-round with Strikeforce or whatever organization he signs with.
While Strikeforce has an ever improving roster of fighters they really only have enough draws to put on two cards or so without any crossover. Adding Henderson maybe makes it three cards but I think you'll be hard pressed to find suitable co-main events at that point that actually bring in viewers. Right now its Fedor & Carano. Mousasi, Hendo, Le and Rogers are suitable co-mains. Shields, Noons, Diaz, etc are a step below that.
Mousasi probably wants to be on Fedor's cards so that his popularity can grow (as being on a CBS Fedor card will probably raise viewership of a Mousasi fight significantly)
So in that way, you can say that Mousasi might not be as confident in his current popularity, but since he's looking for maximum exposure, you can bet that he's ultra-confident in his ability to win fights.
The fact that he is repreented by M-1 has a lot to do with it too…
Mousasi fights when Fedor fights because of M-1 and their politics.
Remember, Fedor only signed up for three fights. I would wager the same goes for Mousasi. Putting both fighters on cards together will ensure that both will be exposed on network TV. This will put their names in a lot of homes and increase their marketablility. Why is this so paramount?
This is so paramount because M-1 has started putting on their own shows in North America. After Fedor and Mousasi have completed their obligations to Strikeforce, I think there is very good reason to believe they will be fighting primarily on M-1 shows from then on out.
M-1 is using Strikeforce as a launch pad for their own events. This has nothing to do with Strikeforce not believing in Mousasi or Mousasi not believing in himself. It is politics.
James not to take away from your article, but why is it that you feel the need to slam new MMA fans. It seems half of the Authors on this site think themselves “true” MMA fans and shun everyone else, whats the point, just write the article without the bashing and it would be a great read.
Hi Woodrow,
Thanks for pointing that out to me. Not my intention to bash new fans. I love new fans!!!
It's the wannabe “hardcore” UFC fans (brainwashed posers) that drive me nuts. To them, if it's not UFC, it might as well not even exist and all I was trying to really point out with those comments was that there is a great MMA life outside of the UFC.
Check out Bellator FC sometime. It's great!
I will try to be more careful in the future and thanks very much for the comment.
Cheers
Good article James.
Very timely article.
I consider myself a pretty good MMA fan and this last fight on the Fedor/Rogers card was the first time I'd seen a live fight of his. Gotta say I was pretty impressed.
Wins over Evangelista Cyborg, Kang, Manhoef, Hunt, Babalu, and Sokoudjou against a loss to Gono—I'll overlook the early career loss to Petras Markevičius (???)—argues pretty well for the guy. Those aren't exactly world-beaters, but there are some dangerous names in there (even if they all suffer from a lack of consistency).
Good stuff.
Andrew
Great piece!
This type of contract is exactly why the UFC was so hesitant to get in bed with M-1 when Fedor was a free agent. Both fighters are represented by them and in addition to getting their share of the pie, M-1 wants to make sure that their interests get maximum exposure.
No one else (that we know of) does this because it's ridiculous and a difficult pill to swallow if you're the promoter. It leaves two of your biggest names on the sideline until both are ready to fight. Imagine if Fedor had gotten hurt against Rogers and was out for an extended period of time?
I personally don't think it has anything to do with Mousasi's confidence or level of talent; he's a legitimate star in the making and will be a force at 205 for a long time, but his wagon is hitched to M-1 and since they're the best route for him to make money right now, this is the situation he's in.
Ultimately, the answer to your final question is neither: Strikeforce believes in Mousasi and Mousasi believes in himself.
The real answer is M-1 is looking to capitalize on as much prime time exposure as possible for their fighters and structured Mousasi's contract this way, leaving Strikeforce in a take it or leave it position.
Hey Spencer,
Thanks very much for the read and comment. The longer this comment thread gets, the better the insight into this situation…
You're right about the take it or leave it option – I guess for Strikeforce they had to look at it like this – give M-1 what they want or don't land Fedor. I'm more concerned about what will happen to Strikeforce once (if) M-1 pulls out as indicated above (Tim's comments).
Do you know how many other Strikeforce fighters are actually M-1 fighters?
Cheers
As far as the M-1 site states, they only have three fighters under contract with Karl “The Psycho” Amoussou being the third.
Tim's concerns and thoughts are bang on and Strikeforce should be discussing these things internally already.
Personally, I wouldn't be surprised to see Mousasi break away from M-1 after his contract expires, as he is young, talented and building a name for himself, therefore without a real need for their “influence” to put it politely. He wants to fight the best and has talked about the UFC before, so I think we'll see him in the Octagon somewhere down the road.
Fedor? Not happening… the M-1 shows Tim mentions makes the most sense, as does retiring back to Stary Oksol with his wife and daughter (and not because I say so… LOL).
LOL nice.
I think M-1 only has a handful of fighters they manage. Fedor, Mousasi and one or two more.
M-1 does however have contact with a lot of rising fighters due to there “M-1 Challenge” series. So they would have no problem putting together a show.
The M-1 Challenge series has housed:
-Rodney Wallace and Lucio Linhares both of whom are now with the UFC
-Karl Amoussou who recently signed with DREAM (I think he is signed by M-1 now too in a management deal)
…and others.
Plus everyone who trains at Red Devil is likely to end up there since Red Devil and M-1 are run by the same people.
The interesting thing will be what happens if Fedor and Mousasi are not defeated before their contracts are up. Fighters like Dan Henderson and Werdum will be free to fight for other promotions and have expressed interest in fighting Mousasi and Fedor.
Fighters who want to challenge themselves agaisnt the best will jump at the opporunity and could end up on M-1 cards in order to do so.
Very Good Article James
M-1 Global is doin just tryin to build up Mousasis image, so that when Fedor retires, they can bank off of him
LOL
[...] with a person that I know who has watched the UFC quite a few times, he had absolutely no clue who Fedor Emelianenko [...]
Wow, my message board is all messed up big time. Either that or 22 people named Kevin all left a message LOL
This is a test.
James