Report: Collapse and "Panic" at M-1 Global, Head Office Allegedly Closed

[MindSpin]

Specifically, sources with knowledge of the situation say M-1 Global has closed its head office in the Netherlands, that some of M-1's investors have already cut ties with the organization, that officials within M-1 know they've lost most of their negotiating power, and that overall, according to one source, the people at M-1 are "panicking."

Some details:
Netherlands office: Although M-1 Global was widely perceived in the United States as a Russian company because of its close ties to Fedor, it actually considered its office in the Netherlands to be the global headquarters. But that's not the case anymore, as the Netherlands office has ceased to exist. M-1 Global knows it can't count on as much income from Fedor in the future as it could in the past, and closing the Netherlands office was a cost-cutting move. As mixfight.nl first reported, the employees of M -1 Netherlands no longer work with the organization, although it's not clear what will happen to Dutch fighters with M-1 contracts.

Losing investors: During Fedor's reign as the sport's heavyweight king, M-1 Global had some wealthy businessmen it could count on when it needed an infusion of cash. Basically, these were businessmen who were willing to lose money on an investment in M-1 just because they liked being associated with the toughest man in the world. But Fedor no longer has that allure, and as a result those investors have signaled to M-1 that they won't be infusing any more cash in the promotion.


 

[AC Slater]

So much hate for a guy simply because he refuses to bend over for Dana.  Isnt that a pretty ridiculous reason to hate someone?  You should think highly of him for refusing to succumb to the Walmart of MMA.

[MindSpin]

So much hate for a guy simply because he refuses to bend over for Dana.  Isnt that a pretty ridiculous reason to hate someone?  You should think highly of him for refusing to succumb to the Walmart of MMA.

I am strongly in support of one dominant organization so that what happened with Fedor never happens again.  Wouldn't you have liked to have seen Fedor face guys like JDS, Velaques, Carwin, Lesnar, etc.?  We never got to see that because of crap organizations like EliteXC, Affliction, etc. 

I don't hate Fedor.  I was frustrated that everyone called him the best today, yet he was not fighting the best.  Well, he is not the best anymore.  And with M1 & StrikeForce disintegrating, we will now always get to see the best match-ups.

It's a great time in MMA!

[WeightPSHR]

I am strongly in support of one dominant organization so that what happened with Fedor never happens again.  Wouldn't you have liked to have seen Fedor face guys like JDS, Velaques, Carwin, Lesnar, etc.?  We never got to see that because of crap organizations like EliteXC, Affliction, etc. 

I don't hate Fedor.  I was frustrated that everyone called him the best today, yet he was not fighting the best.  Well, he is not the best anymore.  And with M1 & StrikeForce disintegrating, we will now always get to see the best match-ups.

It's a great time in MMA!

Well said.

Fedor will no longer be able to hold the #1 ranking hostage.

[Captain Equipoise]

Epic talking to yourself in one thread mindspin, I wonder do you have conversations like this with yourself in the mirror @ home ?

maybe for your other multiple personalities you use other voices to convince yourself it's not you but someone else talking ?

[WeightPSHR]

Epic talking to yourself in one thread mindspin, I wonder do you have conversations like this with yourself in the mirror @ home ?

maybe for your other multiple personalities you use other voices to convince yourself it's not you but someone else talking ?

Is this all you have when multiple people on here have shut you down?

Seriously, why do you even come to this board?

[MindSpin]

Epic talking to yourself in one thread mindspin, I wonder do you have conversations like this with yourself in the mirror @ home ?

maybe for your other multiple personalities you use other voices to convince yourself it's not you but someone else talking ?

I'm just curious bro, what exactly makes you think that I have any gimmick accounts on here   I'd love to know. 

[Captain Equipoise]

I'm just curious bro, what exactly makes you think that I have any gimmick accounts on here   I'd love to know. 

Because I know what gimmick's look like from the G & O and it's a little too 'coincidental' your two buddies 'coltrane' and 'stoolpshr' come in to back you up every thread that you, me and Berzerk argue in... it's getting a little predictable but at least you're polite and friendly in your mindspin account..the other two are starting to get a little rowdy..tsk  tsk.

[Fury]

Yes, MMA needs a monopoly.  

As the UFC showed with the short time they did have one, cards get 100x shitter (they're already terrible enough) and fighter salaries go even further in the tank. Having one organization controlled by Dana and the Fertittas is the worst possible thing that could happen to this sport.

[AC Slater]

Because I know what gimmick's look like from the G & O and it's a little too 'coincidental' your two buddies 'coltrane' and 'stoolpshr' come in to back you up every thread that you, me and Berzerk argue in... it's getting a little predictable but at least you're polite and friendly in your mindspin account..the other two are starting to get a little rowdy..tsk  tsk.

i dont think mindspin is coltrane, but he is weightpshr.  in addition to what you mentioned, there was the time when both mindspin and weight hadnt logged in for 4-5 days.  add to the fact that they never disagree with eachother, and there you go.

[CARTEL]

there was the time when both mindspin and weight hadnt logged in for 4-5 days. 

Maybe they went on a romantic vacation together?

[gmflex]

 

'Panic' attack: Evgeni Kogan calls report of M-1 Global's pending collapse '100-percent made up' - MMA Mania


Quote:
"Human sacrifices, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria!"

The mixed martial arts community has been waiting for the other shoe to drop after top ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko suffered his first defeat in nine years at the hands of Fabricio Werdum on Showtime's June 26 Strikeforce card in San Jose.

While the fighter will likely rebound, what about Strikeforce? Or M-1 Global -- who may have placed all their financial eggs in the Russian's basket?

According to a report from MMA Fighting, "The Last Emperor's" promotional organization "is in disarray" after the former PRIDE champion's defeat, even closing its head office in the Netherlands as investors begin to jump ship at the prospect of M-1 losing their negotiating power.

UFC President Dana White, who was obsessed with the acquisition of Emelianenko, has publicly stated he now has "zero interest" in signing the WAMMA kingpin, who lost some of his mystique following the Werdum loss.

From blank checks to "no thanks" is a tough spot to be in from a bargaining standpoint, especially with just one fight remaining on Emelianenko's current Strikeforce contract.

Yet M-1 Global's Director of Operations Evgeni Kogan is not giving the article much credence, telling Luke Thomas at Bloody Elbow the report is "100-percent made up."

Star-divide

"...That article is 100% made up. There is not an ounce of truth to it. There is no panic, Fedor retains his status in the sport (financially and in terms of perspective). To believe any different is to be out of touch with the business reality of MMA (or any other sport for that matter). The head office in Holland is here and isn't going anywhere anytime soon. As are the offices in Russia, Ukraine, US and the affiliates in Asia. M-1 remains healthy and has the same leadership and investors as it has had since 1997 (making it pretty much the longest running promotion out there). We're looking forward to promoting the Selection finals in Moscow on the 22nd and the Semis in AC on August the 7th. Challenge will take place in the fall."

It's hard to imagine such a disparity between the two sides, but there is no question that investors would express concern if their top money maker was no longer able to provide the same return on investment.

But is it enough to cause a company-wide "panic?"

That remains to be seen.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more updates to this still-developing story. 

The idea that one single athlete could crumble such a large international organization seems a bit hard to swallow to me. I'd believe the statement in the included article from Kogan before believing they are shutting down because Fedor lost a fight.

[WeightPSHR]

Because I know what gimmick's look like from the G & O and it's a little too 'coincidental' your two buddies 'coltrane' and 'stoolpshr' come in to back you up every thread that you, me and Berzerk argue in... it's getting a little predictable but at least you're polite and friendly in your mindspin account..the other two are starting to get a little rowdy..tsk  tsk.

I get involved in most threads on the MMA board. You 'proof' is invalid.

Don't be another chump on here...stick up for yourself and put the gimmick excuse to rest.

[WeightPSHR]

i dont think mindspin is coltrane, but he is weightpshr.  in addition to what you mentioned, there was the time when both mindspin and weight hadnt logged in for 4-5 days.  add to the fact that they never disagree with eachother, and there you go.

Damn...you really are a stalker. Kind of scary you pay so much attention.

What do you say about this past weekend. I didn't post most of it... Hmmmmm

Figure that one out scholar.

[AC Slater]

Maybe they went on a romantic vacation together?

highly possible

[AC Slater]

Damn...you really are a stalker. Kind of scary you pay so much attention.

What do you say about this past weekend. I didn't post most of it... Hmmmmm

Figure that one out scholar.

that is because you pulled out your other 2005 gimmick, 'supreme being'

[MindSpin]

'Panic' attack: Evgeni Kogan calls report of M-1 Global's pending collapse '100-percent made up' - MMA Mania


Quote:
"Human sacrifices, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria!"

The mixed martial arts community has been waiting for the other shoe to drop after top ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko suffered his first defeat in nine years at the hands of Fabricio Werdum on Showtime's June 26 Strikeforce card in San Jose.

While the fighter will likely rebound, what about Strikeforce? Or M-1 Global -- who may have placed all their financial eggs in the Russian's basket?

According to a report from MMA Fighting, "The Last Emperor's" promotional organization "is in disarray" after the former PRIDE champion's defeat, even closing its head office in the Netherlands as investors begin to jump ship at the prospect of M-1 losing their negotiating power.

UFC President Dana White, who was obsessed with the acquisition of Emelianenko, has publicly stated he now has "zero interest" in signing the WAMMA kingpin, who lost some of his mystique following the Werdum loss.

From blank checks to "no thanks" is a tough spot to be in from a bargaining standpoint, especially with just one fight remaining on Emelianenko's current Strikeforce contract.

Yet M-1 Global's Director of Operations Evgeni Kogan is not giving the article much credence, telling Luke Thomas at Bloody Elbow the report is "100-percent made up."

Star-divide

"...That article is 100% made up. There is not an ounce of truth to it. There is no panic, Fedor retains his status in the sport (financially and in terms of perspective). To believe any different is to be out of touch with the business reality of MMA (or any other sport for that matter). The head office in Holland is here and isn't going anywhere anytime soon. As are the offices in Russia, Ukraine, US and the affiliates in Asia. M-1 remains healthy and has the same leadership and investors as it has had since 1997 (making it pretty much the longest running promotion out there). We're looking forward to promoting the Selection finals in Moscow on the 22nd and the Semis in AC on August the 7th. Challenge will take place in the fall."

It's hard to imagine such a disparity between the two sides, but there is no question that investors would express concern if their top money maker was no longer able to provide the same return on investment.

But is it enough to cause a company-wide "panic?"

That remains to be seen.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more updates to this still-developing story. 

The idea that one single athlete could crumble such a large international organization seems a bit hard to swallow to me. I'd believe the statement in the included article from Kogan before believing they are shutting down because Fedor lost a fight.

Nice try...

Kogan acknowledged that four employees of the promotion's Netherlands office have been "made redundant" in a "restructuring" of the company that took place over the last 10 days, but Kogan claims it's pure coincidence that M-1 chose to restructure after Emelianenko's loss. He said he himself is still at the Netherlands office, but he refused to name any other employees who remain there.

Despite Kogan's denials, one of the original sources has reiterated that in the days following Fedor's loss, Kogan told multiple employees of M-1's Netherlands office that they are losing their jobs because the office is closing. Told that Kogan had denied the original story, the source said Kogan was "lying."

Kogan declined to answer any questions about the status of the office, such as whether M-1 owns or leases the office space and whether the promotion has given a landlord notice of intent to move out or taken any steps toward selling the office. Kogan said he couldn't provide any details because it would be unfair to the employees who were recently let go.

"It's an internal matter," Kogan said. "The same thing as I wouldn't ask you what's going on in your office."

Kogan says M-1 Global cutting jobs in the wake of its highest-profile fighter losing his status as the sport's top heavyweight should not be construed as a sign that Fedor's loss hurt M-1's bottom line.

"We've restructured," he said. "It has nothing to do with Fedor's loss. ... What happened on June 26 doesn't affect M-1 as an organization."

I'm hearing from other sources that much, if not all, of what MDS is reporting is accurate. I haven't been able to independently verify it myself, but MDS is a first-rate journalist. I take his reporting very seriously.

From afar, I won't say that this reporting sounds remarkably different than the slow atrophy of WAMMA. And after losing such a great deal of leveraging power (it's also become increasingly clear that, say, relative to the cost of Gina Carano and the ratings she delivers, Fedor's ROI is dubious), I can't say a "restructuring" isn't unnecessary.

[MindSpin]

Yes, MMA needs a monopoly. 

As the UFC showed with the short time they did have one, cards get 100x shitter (they're already terrible enough) and fighter salaries go even further in the tank. Having one organization controlled by Dana and the Fertittas is the worst possible thing that could happen to this sport.

That's your opinion, wrong as is may be, as the facts contradict everything you just said.  The UFC has the best fighters across all weight classes and they are all fighting each other.  So the cards are better than ever.  Fighter salaries down the tank?  The fact is that they are higher than ever.

[Fury]

You sound like a UFC press release. Give it a rest already, shill.

[coltrane]

i dont think mindspin is coltrane, but he is weightpshr.  in addition to what you mentioned, there was the time when both mindspin and weight hadnt logged in for 4-5 days.  add to the fact that they never disagree with eachother, and there you go.

You would be correct Sir!

Coltrane is much too intelligent to be lowered to the calibre of that of Mindspin.   

As for Weighpusher, I cannot speak as I am Coltrane.  The great and powerful.



In all seriousness, I am not a gimmick of Mindspin guys.  We just happen to both like and back the UFC.