Dana White Strikes Fedor by Forcing Tapout To Submit

The following statement by M-1 Global's president Vadim Finkelchtein was posted on M-1 Global's official website. It is in response to actions taken by Dana White and the UFC to strike Fedor where it really hurts—his wallet.

"I'm afraid to disappoint the fans, but it seems that Fedor's shirt will never be available. Just today I got the call from Tapout, and was told representatives of the UFC threatened to break all contracts with their organization and categorically demanded Tapout discontinue the Fedor Emelianenko T-shirt line.

"That Dana White has displayed such an attitude toward Fedor shows they are trying to hinder us even in such things that do not pertain directly to the UFC. So the Fedor Tapout shirts probably will remain obscure, and fans will see them only in photographs. Say thanks to the UFC and their policy of monopoly."

Thus begins a new chapter in the ever evolving relationship between M-1 Global and the UFC. 

It is interesting that the UFC would install Mask (late co-founder of Tapout Clothing) into the Hall of Fame and then later threaten the welfare of his entire company just to get at Fedor.

Apparently if Dana can't have him, then nobody will. 

The UFC demanded that Tapout cease its production of Fedor t-shirts and drop the fighter from his million dollar arrangement. Many think that Dana is striking below the belt on this one.

Naturally, the UFC is not concerned with Tapout's other relationships with non-UFC fighters. It is only Fedor that they are going after.

Other Strikeforce fighters, such as Herschel Walker and Cris Cyborg, have deals with Tapout, but the UFC does not appear to be concerned with those arrangements. Only Fedor's deal.

As a result, Fedor will be sporting a shirt created by Dan Henderson's company, Clinch Gear. 

That they would consider breaking ties with a company they have seemed so close to in the past is startling and sends a message. It is a warning to anyone and everyone that if you do business with Fedor, the UFC will not do business with you.

Dana has decided that mounting attack after attack upon the Russian is his concept of Western capitalism and fair competition. This is particularly ironic considering the statements Dana White has made about "doing business in Russia."

White complains that M-1 tried to shake him down the way a mobster might shake down a local butcher in Siberia. Meanwhile, he is strong-arming some of his oldest and closest business partners. So what if Tapout has a 1,000 employees? Fail to agree with Dana, and you will quickly be out of business in North America. 

Until he signs with the UFC or retires, thereby virtually destroying M-1 Global, Dana and the UFC will continue to single out Fedor and anyone that dares to go near him.

How far will Dana really go?