The much talked new Japanese promotion where Fedor Emelianenko will be fighting has a name: Rizin Fighting Federation.
The former President of Pride, Nobuyuki Sakakibara, held a press conference last week to announce his return to MMA with this new event.

The President Nobuyuki Sakakibara commented on his expectations for his return to MMA. Sakakibara began by apologizing to the Japanese people for taking the Pride out of business and said that he will do anything to restore MMA in Japan. In addition, Sakakibara said that he will work over the next 10 years for this, but cannot promise that the event will be bigger than the UFC.

Fedor and Vadim

Fedor’s former long-time manager, Vadim Finkelchtein, had a long interview with Sportbox.ru. where he talked about Rizin:

Ilya Buyaev: What do you think about Fedor Emelianenko opposition in the new Japanese promotion? They say it could be Jaideep Singh. Is that a proper match-up for the Last Emperror.
Vadim Finkelchtein: No, definitely it isn’t. But… Fedor makes all the decisions by himself now. In our past, all troubles and accusations used to befall on me. They said that I was the reason that Fedor didn’t fight in UFC. But now I say officially: I don’t have any relations to this one. Nothing. As for Jaideep Singh, I think he is no match to Fedor Emelianenko. Too weak opposition for him.

IB: Who would you like Fedor to fight if he comes to M-1 Global? Just theoretucally.

VF: We have a lot of proper fighters of a high level. I’d put Marcin Tybura or Stephan Puetz against the Fedor. But you see, we in Russia are limited with our resources. We can’t compete with UFC or these new Japans, who emerged recently. They said about some merger between Bellator, KSW… Shinoda called me recently and told about this. But I don’t think this is a serious initiative. I don’t even understand the concept? Who will pay for all of this, who will have rights and copyright? I think this is an utopia from the very beginning.

IB: You didn’t want to participate in this project?

VF: They offered ne to join. About 1 year ago Sakakibara called me. But I didn’t take it seriously. I don’t believe in such projects. Look, I have a company and many contracts with Television. How we will share this? Who will own all of this? Should I keep it, of Japanese will take it from me, or will we cut it somehow? And what if I have already obligations to some Japanese TV-channel? My professional opinion – all they do now is some kind of shady entersprise. But I don’t have enought info – so let’s see where will they come in the end.

IB: Well, they have Fedor Emelianenko…

VF: That’s clear they have such kind of draw as Fedor. But you can’t ride on his back forever. You don’t play cards with the Ace only, right? If they manage to get a decent team… But they need to entice more fighters, and pay huge money. I have a great fighters in M-1 and the only problem is that they’re being enticed by UFC. Where do Japans get TOP fighters – I don’t know. Maybe some of them will be provided by Bellator or KSW. Still I don’t know any fighter of TOP-level in KSW, except Mamed Khalidov