What’s happening in the world of mixed martial arts now…

By Loretta Hunt (loretta@thefightnetwork.com)

There has been talk that a promotion can't be built around one fighter. However, the recently acquired M-1 Global doesn’t seem to be having any problems at least generating interest revolving around the world’s number-one ranked fighter Fedor Emelianenko.

M-1 Global CEO Monte Cox confirmed that a meeting did take place today in Dallas, Texas with Sun Sports & Entertainment’s “Art of War” promotion to discuss a potential pairing of Emelianenko (26-1, 1 NC) with Brazilian Pedro Rizzo (16-7). TheWrestlingObserver.com was the first to report the gathering today.

Rizzo, 33, is currently under contract with the Texas-based organization, and reeled off an impressive third-round KO against Jeff Monson (22-7) at Art of War 3 last September in Dallas.

The match-up was not cemented and is still a possibility says Cox, though his organization will continue talks with other groups next week looking to offer a suitable opponent for the heavyweight king in a jointly-promoted event. M-1 Global is aiming to make its U.S. debut in April at a yet to be determined venue with Emelianenko as the centerpiece. Cox and his M-1 contingent also reportedly met with an undisclosed organization on Sunday in Las Vegas.

Cox confirmed Emelianenko will likely face 7-foot-2, 360-pound Korean giant Hong Man Choi (1-0) on New Year’s Eve at the “Yarennoka” event emanating from the Super Saitama Arena in Saitama, Japan. Choi was eliminated by Jerome LeBanner during the quarter-final round of this weekend’s K-1 2007 World Grand Prix Finals in Yokohama, Japan, but was otherwise remained unscathed following the unanimous decision. Choi’s representatives are currently presenting rule changes for the open-weight bout that must be approved by Emelianenko’s side, according to Cox.

On Friday, HDNet announced a deal to broadcast “Yarennoka” live on its network. HDNet is currently available in six million homes in the U.S.

Emelianenko last stepped into the ring on April 14, when he submitted Olympic Greco Roman wrestling silver medalist Matt Lindland (20-5) with a first-round armbar at Bodog Fight “Clash of the Nations” in St. Petersburg, Russia.

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KANG HANGING, LOISEAU NO-GO FOR ICON

Denis Kang is in limbo, awaiting a match-up for Fight Entertainment Group’s K-1 “Premium Dynamite 2007” event scheduled to take place New Year’s Eve out of the Osaka Dome in Osaka, Japan. The half-French, half-Korean resident of Vancouver, British Columbia thought he might draw Shungo Oyama (7-10) for a middleweight bout on the card, but was told that Oyama had passed on the match-up and a new opponent might not be found within the three weeks left till show time.

There was a chance fellow Canadian David Loiseau (15-7) might be called up to replace an injured Robbie Lawler (15-4) in this coming Saturday’s ICON event at the Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii. Now it appears the entire main event bout will be scrapped to allow dual ICON and EliteXC middleweight champion Lawler time to heal and face intended opponent Kala Kolohe Hose (4-1) at a later date.

The Fight Network's Mike Russell has all the details in THE GREAT FIGHT NORTH.

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‘AFTER THE BELL’ K-1 GRAND PRIX

The Fight Network’s “After The Bell” has a complete breakdown and footage from this weekend’s K-1 2007 World Grand Prix held the Yokohama Arena in Kanagawa, Japan. Check out the video player on our homepage for post-fight press conference clips and interviews in conjunction with coverage of the Mayweather-Hatton boxing event held in Las Vegas.

POSTED -- 12/10/07