Dana White Blames M-1 Global Management for Turning Down Fight with Brock Lesnar

Despite his constant belittling of the former Pride FC heavyweight champion, UFC president Dana White insists he does not hate Fedor Emelianenko.

The Russian heavyweight was a hot commodity for the UFC boss for many years and had pursued Emelianenko on several occasions in an attempt to sign him with the company.

White made one last effort on trying to lure Emelianeko, on the notion that he would be given an immediate title shot against then-UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, but White said his management, M-1 Global, prevented the deal from happening.

"I really don't hate Fedor. His management made the biggest (expletive) in the history of all sports," White told MMA Interviews following UFC 145. 

White explained how he travelled to meet Emelianenko and his manager, Vadim Finkelchtein, in 2009, who offered him a lot of money to sign a contract in addition to fighting Lesnar. 

White said Finkelchtein rejected the offer and proceeded to laugh in his face. White was disrespected by the gesture and has since refrained from doing business with M-1 Global.

"I told Vadummy, 'You're one punch away from being worth zero.' He didn't take it. They thought they were too cool and too slick and too (expletive) funny," he said. "Like I said, they're not laughing now."

Emelianenko eventually signed with Strikeforce that same year, where he would go on to defeat Brett Rogers before dropping three consecutive bouts to Fabricio Werdum, Antonio Silva and Dan Henderson. 

Emelianenko is scheduled to meet former UFC heavyweight champion Pedro Rizzo in Russia on June 23.