For those wondering what a M-1 Global event might look like, you now have an answer. On August 28th, in the Memorial Hall, Kansas, assumed Heavyweight number one Fedor Emelianenko will spar against Middleweight contender Gegard Mousasi, for no reason other than merriment.

The announcement has met with mass apathy.

In a month where blockbuster fights against Barnett and Lesnar, were cancelled and refused, even the most devoted of 'Fedorites' must find fervour difficult to muster at the prospect of seeing the legendary Russian aimlessly grapple with a smaller man.

In a statement announcing 'M-1 Breakthrough', M-1 Global Chief Operating Officer, Joost Raimond, --a confusing and convoluted title seemingly indicative of the organisation itself-- justified the pairing thus:

"We were blown away by just how popular Fedor's exhibition vs. Aoki in Japan was, Fedor and Gegard have sparred many times together and the sessions have always been intense. Now fight fans watching on television and those attending live in Kansas City will get a rare glimpse at two of the best fighters in the world sparring each other."

This fight exemplifies the reason Fedor Emelianenko will never display his considerable talent in the UFC. M-1 insist on continually peddling their star attraction, with no thought beyond the immediate, making it is impossible to build a brand around him.

Since his final fight with Pride at the dawn of 2007, Emelianenko has represented no fewer than four separate promotions. The nomadic, circus attraction nature of his management has resulted in a widely varied, and often sub-standard quality of opponent.

It is no coincidence that Fedor established his reputation during the only period of contractual stability in his career. A deal with the UFC would have allowed him a steady stream of elite Heavyweights, similar to his heyday in Japan, but, as we are all regrettably aware, a bizarre timeshare with Strikeforce was agreed instead.

Incidentally, it is because of his prolonged stint in Japan, that the Aoki exhibition achieved any 'success' at all. Both fighters possess high profiles within that country. Neither Emelianenko or Mousasi, hold that kind of status stateside, so this decision refuses to make sense financially or competitively.

Perhaps the most unusual aspect of the entire card however, is it's existence in the first place. Barely a month removed from a co-promotion deal with Strikeforce, M-1 Global have decided to go it alone, by placing their sole commodity in a tedious televised sparring session, with no discernable benefit to the fighter.

Undoubtedly Fedor will be primed for action. He would have undergone a full training camp in preparation for his fated fight with Barnett, but a hurried exhibition with a middleweight is not the answer. It would have been preferable to have featured him on this weekend's Carano - Cyborg card, or made him wait a month or so for meaningful competition.

It is an unnecessary and ill-judged risk.

If, by some unlikely twist of fate Emelianenko is embarrassed by Mousasi, or even worse seriously injured, the entire M-1 brand will likely follow the example of Rings, Pride, Bodog and Affliction into collapse.

Elsewhere on the 'Breakthrough' card, the headliner sees Muhammed 'King Mo' Lawal takes on Mark Kerr, whilst Karl "Psycho" Amoussou faces former BodogFIGHT champion Nick Thompson in the co-main event. It should give the UFC a timely example of what the are missing, or rather what they have escaped.