Bodog's fights are in a ring. Why is Fedor taking this fight is the question that I would really like to have answered? He has nothing to gain from this and the exposure in the US of Fedor/Crocop II is absolutley critical for PRIDE to gain a significant portion of the US market.
As far as Aleks/Silva, I think this could be a gateway fight for either of them to go the UFC. Aleks was is contract talks, but his loss to Werdum slowed down the progress and whomever wins this fight will probably be contacted by Dana White and Joe Silva.
I was wondering the same thing about Fedor fighting outside of PRIDE. I recall somewhere hearing that Fedor isn't especially well-known in Russia, so maybe he is more concerned with earning popularity in his homeland.
Plus, stomping Monson could serve a dual satisfaction for the Rusky public: Cold War revival--stomp the American; vengance for the oppression of communism in Russia--I think I read that Monson is a socialist.
Of course, I'm just babbling nonsense, and it probably has more to do with recognition in the homeland, and perhaps a favor for some friends in Bodog. As stated, there is a strong relationship between Fedor's team and the organization.
As for Aleks/Silva being a springboard to the UFC, wouldn't Silva have some sort of issue there b/c he weighs 300lbs. I thought there was a 265lb limit for the heavies.
I'm sure that Bodog is tossing an assload of money at him.
