As we reported just a few hours ago, a source close to world consensus number one heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko confirmed, to FiveKnuckles.com, a recent LA Times report stating that Emelianenko was set to sign with the UFC and was holding preliminary talks with the organization about facing UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at UFC 103.

Noted MMA Insider, Josh Gross of SI.com, spoke recently with Emelianenko's M-1 Global associate Apy Echteld who flatly denied that a deal was imminent.

"I can give you a guarantee it's not accurate," Apy Echteld of M-1 Global told SI.com.

Sources at both the LA Times and FiveKnuckles.com have confirmed that negotiations have indeed taken place between the two sides, a fact echoed by Echteld himself, but it's the nature of these negotiations which appear to be at odds. 

Emelianenko is set to hold a press conference tomorrow to elaborate further on his future plans and where he'll end up in the wake of Afflictions demise. The press conference will hopefully shed light on the conflicting reports.

FiveKnuckles.com will bring you the very latest as this story continues to develop.