The UFC president was locked in talks with The Last Emperor and representatives from Russian promotion M1-Global after the collapse of Affliction left him a free agent.

But even after White reportedly offered Emelianenko a five-fight, £2million-a-bout contract and agreed to let him continue to compete in Sambo tournaments in his native Russia, a deal could still not be reached.

The UFC say that the stumbling block was M1-Global’s insistence on co-promoting events Emelianenko took part in.

The breakdown in talks has seen the 32-year-old pen terms on a three-fight deal with Strikeforce, with his cage debut set for later this year.

And the former Pride champion’s actions have left White fuming.

Speaking to mmaweekly.com, he said:

“Fedor is a f***ing joke.

“He turns down a huge deal and the opportunity to face the best in the world to fight nobodies for no money!

“How are they [M1-Global] going to help us co-promote?

“They’re going to help us? That s*** might work in Russia [but] not here.

“How do you deal with something like this?

“We did everything possible for this deal. We didn’t hold back. It’s crazy to turn down a deal like this.

“We went above and beyond. We have been able to sign the best fighters in the world over the last 10 years, so to not be able to sign this guy [wasn't our fault].”

White added:

“I feel sorry for the real fight fans.

“I wanted to make the deal, but it takes two and it is VERY obvious Fedor doesn’t want to fight the best and doesn’t give a s*** about the fans.”

But Joost Raimond, Chief Operating Officer for M1-Global, revealed he is delighted with the deal his company and Emelianenko have signed with Strikeforce.

Raimond said:

“It was a good opportunity. The co-promotion is a substantial part.

“The whole set-up for the deal is to have co-promotion partners, and of course Fedor is an important part of that construction.

“But the co-promotion deal is of great importance.

“The financials behind his deal are based on a large number of factors, which include the co-promotion and co-branding activities, and Fedor is a part of that total deal.”

Emelianenko added: “I am looking forward to going back to work and fighting at the highest level.”

The Russian is widely regarded as the best heavyweight fighter on the planet and has been courted by the UFC for several years.

He has a 30-1-1 professional MMA record and counts former UFC stars Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia as his most recent scalps.

So, after a week of speculation, Fedor Emelianenko has put the rumors to rest as the former PRIDE heavyweight champion signed a multi-fight agreement that will see him headline events co-promoted by Strikeforce and M-1 Global.

Emelianenko’s debut under the Strikeforce M-1 banner is expected to come this Fall on Showtime. Stay tuned to MyCage as we continue to keep you up to date on all developing news between Strikeforce and Fedor, including any announcement of a first opponent.

Apparently Hieron was all set to make his return to the UFC until it was discovered that he had recently inked a deal with “EA Sports MMA“, which ultimately brought an abrupt conclusion to the negotiations.Not to worry, Hieron’s as excited as he could be being able to step right into a title shot with Strikeforce. Sometimes opportunities such as this one only come knocking once in the course of one’s life, it’s up to you what you do with it.

“I couldn’t turn down an opportunity to fight for a title shot,”

Hieron was quoted as saying.

“I had other offers on the table and with the UFC. I just signed a video game deal that I was obligated to [and] I couldn’t get out of it.”

UFC stepped up the offer for me. It was a great offer, but again, I signed a deal with EA Sports. I was definitely surprised and I was ready to go back to the UFC. I got a great opportunity with Strikeforce, though, and I’m excited to fight for a title.”“Strikeforce: Carano vs.Cyborg” is set for August 15 from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California and will air live on Showtime.Other than the headlining bout, the card will feature a Strikeforce light-heavyweight championship pitting Renato “Babalu” Sobral up against Gegard Mousasi, and a lightweight title rematch between Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez.

“I guess you could say that two weeks ago I was on crutches…I’m still talking right now with my cornerman and my management about moving the fight back to October or me just not fighting [Melendez]… 

[Training is] moving right along, I guess you could say. I’ve decided to go with the non-training method for this fight – kind of play it by ear and see what happens. There’s a lot of things I couldn’t do. I’m not training like I was able to for the first fight, and we’re going to see what happens…That doesn’t mean I’m not taking this fight serious. It doesn’t mean that I’m not going to show up and fight my ass off. Have I ever not showed up and fought my [expletive] ass off?…

This is going to be a good fight never the less, but fighting with an injury? It could mess your MMA career up for ever, In my opinion I’d rest and live to fight another day.