Fedor goes the Mayweather route, wants strict drug testing for Strikeforce GP -- Yahoo! Sports

By Steve Cofield, Yahoo! Sports

Floyd Mayweather made headlines in 2010 by insisting on Olympic-style drug testing for all his opponents. Shane Mosley agreed to the terms. Manny Pacquiao still hasn't. The boxer wants to ensure a level playing field. M-1 Global, the management team for MMA star Fedor Emelianenko, never used the term "Olympic-style," but it sure sent a similar message during a press conference today in Moscow.

"Two out of eight fighters in the (Strikeforce heavyweight) tournament previously failed a drug test. Obviously, I'm talking about Josh Barnett and Antonio Silva," said Fedor's manager Vadim Finkelchtein.

"We want fair competition for everyone, so that's why I will ask the commission to perform a strict drug testing. Fedor is not using any kind of substance to enhance his performance, and will be ready for any kind of testing. So if the commission decides to follow our suggestion, we'll be ready."

Fedor often refers to Barnett as a good friend, but it's clear there's still some lingering resentment from the American's last positive drug test.

"We have never shied away from a particular battle, I just want for his fighter to be professional opponent, not a chemist. Today doping can significantly add speed and endurance. We just want all parties to the Grand Prix and potential rivals to play by the rules," Finkelchtein said. "Our organization paid a heavy price after the cancelation of the fight between Josh Barnett and Fedor. We did a lot of promotion for this fight, which in the end did not take place. That's why as a promoter and manager, I don't want this to happen ever again."

Barnett is on the other side of the bracket in Strikeforce's heavyweight Grand Prix. The only way the fighters could meet is in the finals tentatively scheduled for late 2011. It's still not a certainty Barnett is a lock for the tourney. He appeal and re-instatment process in California has dragged on for months. The fighter is now planning on skipping the next hearing in the Golden State. The California State Athletic Commission is planning on ruling on Barnett's license either way.

During the presser, M-1 management also talked about Fedor's new three-fight deal which is more of a three-way pact with M-1, Strikeforce and Showtime. Last time around it was just M-1 and Strikeforce. Finkelchtein hopes to announce a Showtime deal to televise four or five M-1 fight cards in the next month.

Source: sports.yahoo.com