MMA superstar and the world's universally recognized No. 1 heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, Senior VP & GM, Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks, Ken Hershman, STRIKEFORCE Founder & CEO Scott Coker and President of M-1 Global, Vadim Finkelchtein participated in a conference call to discuss the potentially game-changing announcement made earlier this week that the fervently sought-after Emelianenko had signed a historic, multi-fight agreement that will see him headline mega-events co-promoted by STRIKEFORCE and M-1 Global.

Emelianenko will make his premium television debut during the fall when his first fight under the new agreement airs live on SHOWTIME. Up until now, all his live fights had aired exclusively on pay-per-view in the United States.

Below are some of the highlights on Thursday's conference call:

OPENING COMMENTS:

SCOTT COKER: "I'd like to welcome the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time in Mixed Martial Arts to Strikeforce/M1-Global in conjunction with SHOWTIME."

KEN HERSHMAN: "This is an epic signing and an epic moment in Strikeforce's young history with SHOWTIME. We can't wait to feature Fedor on our network against the other top heavyweights out there in the world. We're looking forward to a great relationship and this is the start of many great things to come."

VADIM FINKELCHTEIN: "We're very happy to finally determine (finalize) our great partnership with Strikeforce. Strikeforce is a company we've known for a long time and (it) has been our long-lasting wish to be united with them. We know that Strikeforce is a great company that also has a great TV platform with SHOWTIME. From that side, they have great potential. From our side, we have a great relationship with European and Japanese TV. Together, the two of us will make a great partnership."

FEDOR EMELIANENKO: "I'm really very happy that we've found a great partner. I'm very happy to fight again and I will be happy to fight for all our fans."

What does signing of Fedor Emelianenko and partnership between M-1 and Strikeforce mean?

COKER: "It's not just the signing with Fedor, but also the partnership with M1. They have a lot of resources internationally. They have a lot of other good fighters. Now, with the conjunction with Strikeforce, we're going to be able to put some sizeable ventures together and some fights that are going to be amazing. When you talk about Fedor, he is truly the greatest heavyweight MMA fighter in the history of MMA. When he was a free agent, everyone was after him. For us to land him and for him to fight on SHOWTIME, I feel like we won the lottery. ‘'

QUESTION: Fedor, who would you like to fight?

FEDOR: "I don't know the name of the opponent yet, but I know for sure the fight will take place in the fall. I'll be happy with any opponent that is offered by the organization."

QUESTION: Scott, who do you think he should fight first?

COKER: "I think it's a little premature and something that M1, myself and Ken Hershman will have to get on a call and figure out. It hasn't been determined yet."

QUESTION: What were the key reasons that you turned down the UFC and decided to sign with Strikeforce?

VADIM: "The advantage in making the deal with Strikeforce is really great because the UFC didn't give us any chance to develop. The UFC wants Fedor to be a fighter only for the UFC. ...