UFC Quick Quote: Maybe Fedor Emelianenko ‘just wants to keep his perfect score’ outside the Octagon

“I don’t know (why he didn’t sign with the UFC),” Filipovic said on the UFC 103 media conference call. “I like Fedor very much as a fighter and a man. To tell the truth, I don’t know him enough that I could say anything more…. I don’t know if somebody controls him, if he has the power to express his wishes to go wherever he wants. Maybe he has to do what some other people tell him to do. I don’t know. I don’t know the situation, but I really don’t understand his attitude. I really don’t know why he doesn’t want to enter the UFC…. I know the UFC offered him the best possible deal to date. They offered him much more than DREAM or Strikeforce can offer. I think he should (have taken) the shot, but what are his reasons? I don’t know. I don’t think he’s afraid of someone, but maybe he just wants to keep his perfect score. Maybe he thinks the competition in the UFC is too tough; I don’t know. I think he should come (to the UFC), but why is he not there? I don’t know. I respect his wishes, but I would definitely like to see him there.”

– Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic talks (via Canoe.ca) on today’s UFC 103: “Franklin vs. Belfort” media conference call about Fedor Emelianenko’s decision to sign with Strikeforce rather than compete under the UFC banner. Cro Cop and Emelianenko met in one of the most highly anticipated heavyweight fights at Pride 33: “Final Conflict” back in 2005. Emelianenko pressured the Croatian and kept him off balance for much of the bout to earn a clear-cut unanimous decision on the judges scorecards. That’s not to say Cro Cop didn’t have his moments (see post-fight picture above). It appeared that the pair was on a collision course to rematch one year later at Pride: “Final Conflict Absolute;” however, Emelianenko was forced out of the tournament because of an injury. It’s still a rematch that most mixed martial arts fans would like to see, but it may not happen anytime soon because of the different paths that they chose for their careers. Is there still any lingering hope — or desire — to see Emelianenko vs. Cro Cop 2 … or is that maybe too much of a risk for Emelianenko? Who knows. It appears that the only one who does is the man himself. And maybe that’s all that really matters.