While many fans have adopted a pro-UFC policy and an anti-M-1 stance regarding Fedor Emelianenko’s current status, they are overlooking several key facts.

First, Fedor hold a significant ownership stake in M-1. As such, he’s not just a fighter, he’s also an owner. Additional, he is not a pure free agent. He has a three fight promotional agreement with M-1 and is not a pure free agent. Legally, any promotion wishing to do business with Fedor, must also negotiate with M-1. While there are pundits who feel it would be “crazy” for the UFC to co-promote with M-1, hopefully those same pundits can understand it would be “crazy” for M-1 to just suddenly release the number one fighter in the world from his contract.

Bringing some more sanity to the one-sided debate is SportsIllustrated.com’s Josh Gross. In a new article for SI, Gross recaps the recent turn of events between the UFC and M-1, correctly pointing out that reports claiming Fedor and M-1 turned down a six-fight, $30 million contract were completely erreneous.

Gross does additional reporting and reveals that the money guaranteed money that the UFC offered Fedor turned out to be less than the guarantee Fedor will make for each of his three remaining fights for M-1.

“Rumors of a six-fight, $30 million deal from the UFC were shot down by Emelianenko’s camp.” writes Gross, before continuing, “Sources inside M-1 Global told SI.com that the UFC offer was for half as many fights at a rate less than what Emelianenko currently receives from his promotional company.”

Click here to read the article in its entirety.