Loretta Hunt over at Sherdog is reporting that Gegard Mousasi has split with his management team, M-1 Global, and has already secured new representation.
“After careful consideration, I have decided that it is in my best interest to part ways with M-1 Global,” Mousasi wrote in the e-mail. “During the time I spent under their wing, M-1 Global, as a promoter and management company, allowed me to achieve many great things. I appreciate all they have done for me.”
M-1 Global, based out of Holland and Russia, had guided the Armenian-Dutch fighter’s career to two championship titles in the last few years.
The company also represents Fedor Emelianenko, the world’s No. 1-ranked heavyweight, who has publicly stated that he has an ownership stake in the organization, as well.
“The business relationship with M-1 Global is over,” said company representative Apy Echteld. “It was a business decision, but not a personal one and there are no hard feelings.”
Echteld said he would continue to work with Mousasi apart from M-1, although Echteld will be staying with the organization. Echteld added that Emelianenko had expressed his hopes to train with Mousasi again in the future.
Payout Perspective:
The rumor flying around for the better part of the last 9 months is that the UFC offered Gegard a contract, but M-1 turned it down in favor of a Strikeforce contract of lesser value (ostensibly as a favor to Strikeforce). However, Joe Silva of the UFC denied even offering Mousasi a contract last summer following the collapse of Affliction’s promotional unit. Mousasi’s split from M-1 is bound to re-ignite those rumors.
The Armenian claims to already have found representation, but refuses to disclose whom it might be. Fans hoping to see him in the UFC may have to wait as he’s got fights remaining on his Strikeforce contract, in addition to plans with the Japanese promotion Dream and its light heavyweight grand prix this year.
It will be interesting to see what Fedor does when his M-1 contract is up. I know he’s part owner, but I seem to remember when he signed with Strikeforce he had 3 fights left on his reportedly restrictive M-1 promotional contract as well as signing a 3 fight deal with Strikeforce. In April both of those will be down to 1 and I would imagine Strikeforce would want a long term commitment out of him if they want to expand to more shows or PPV with him. I couldn’t see them sinking a ton of money into him for a PPV and it is his last fight on the contract then he leaves to fight exclusively in Japan or with the UFC.
This works out well for Mousasi no mater what he ends up doing. If M-1 and Zuffa really have a bad relationship then him signing with an agent who has worked with Zuffa before gives him leverage over Japan companies and Strikeforce if he wishes to stay there, basically it’s another negotiation tool, even if he has zero interest in ultimately signing with the UFC.
There is some in-depth info about what happened:
http://mmajunkie.com/news/17926/after-m-1-exec-nixes-mousasis-lifetime-security-offer-strikeforce-champ-takes-career-reigns.mma