ORANGE, California — Will it happen? Will Fedor Emelianenko face Randy Couture? Following is a press release from M-1 Global president Vadim Finkelstein.

“[UFC president] Dana [White] says the UFC’s doors are wide open. Maybe they are. But these doors also [allegedly] shut tightly once the fighter signs with the organization. Instead of fighting the best in the promotion, he [Couture] has to fight a young upstart with a 2-1 pro record. I am afraid that’s being made in order to finish the star, which is Randy, and not let him fight Fedor.”

“I said it many times. We are ready to make this clash [Fedor and Couture] happen in any shape of joint event. This bout is the most anticipated event in the world of MMA, but Fedor will not sign to the [allegedly] enslaving terms of the UFC contract while the UFC [allegedly] won’t compromise.

“Why would Fedor need to prove anything to anybody? He’s already defeated four ex-UFC champions and twice UFC interim champion Antonio Nogueira. According to White, there are guys better than Tim Sylvia. Well, who are they? No. 1 is Fedor. Then it’s Nogueira, Josh Barnett and Andrei Arlovski. To face off with Josh or Andrei, there is no need for Fedor to come to the UFC. He’ll fight them in Affliction.”