UFC reportedly finalizing a deal with Fedor Emelianenko, ESPN deal and other signings rumored

UFC is on the verge of signing Fedor Emelianenko, according to the Los Angeles Times. The deal is expected to be announced during a conference call that UFC has scheduled for Friday. Obviously, the plan would be to set up a fight between Fedor and Brock Lesnar for the UFC Hvt. Championship. To read the L.A. Times story, click here.

Powell's POV: There are also rumors that UFC is on the verge of announcing a deal with ESPN. Plus, there has been plenty of talk that Vitor Belfort and Tito Ortiz are on the verge of re-signing with the company. So I wonder if the CBS Sports writer who predicted that UFC peaked in popularity with the UFC 100 show is feeling silly right now. Again, nothing is official, but it should be a newsworthy press conference this week.