No Holds Barred: Evgeni Kogan on Fedor Retiring and the Future of M-1 Global

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with Evgeni Kogan, the director of operations of M-1 Global (http://www.m-1global.com).

On June 21, M-1 Global held a major card in St. Petersburg, Russia, headlined by the first-round knockout by the legend Fedor Emelianenko over Pedro Rizzo. Right after that fight, Fedor announced his retirement as an active fighter.

We spoke with Evgeni Kogan by Skype Tuesday about this card and Fedor's retirement. We discussed Fedor's legacy as a fighter, whether or not he can be considered the best MMA fighter of all time, and if anyone else could ever match his ten-year unbeaten streak against top opposition. We also discussed the other fights on this card, including the third-round TKO win by Kenny Garner over Guram Gugenishvili to capture the M-1 heavyweight title, and the first-round heel hook victory by Musa Khamanaev over Daniel Weichel to win the M-1 lightweight title. And we discussed Jeff Monson's submission win over Denis Komkin and Monson's epic ring entrance as the Soviet national anthem played in the arena.

In addition, we discussed what Fedor might do in retirement, his involvement with amateur MMA in Russia, the officiating and governance in M-1, the plans for international expansion, the possibility of a return to American television, the next M-1 cards, and much more.

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Thanks, Eddie Goldman http://eddiegoldman.com

I will definietly listen to this later.

once again that was some very juicy info from Kogan and some insight in how things worked.

excellent work once again Eddie. As always I look forward to your next show.

Great interview, thanks!

Good interview indeed Eddie

I forgot to pause show when I stepped away from my computer. Did Kogan say anything about a TV contract in the English speaking world???

Thanks. They are talking with the U.S. networks like Showtime. Instead of putting on what's left of Zuffaforce, Showtime should put on M-1. And subscribers, since it is an all-subscription network without commercials, should let them know that.