Jerry Millen(I)

Jerry Millen became known in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in his role as vice president of Pride Fighting Championships (2006) (Pride FC). Millen led the American operations of Pride FC, a Japanese company. He co-produced television episodes, and negotiated deals to bring Pride FC to an American audience. Millen and Dana White disparaged each other and their respective organizations in the media. While Millen was being interviewed by Scott Ferrall on Sirius XM, White called in and the two had angry verbal exchanges. Millen and White disagreed if Fedor Emelianenko, Pride FC's heavyweight champion at the time, had beaten high-quality opponents. Emelianenko had been sought by UFC more than once. Millen denied reports that Pride FC was for sale but the promotion ended up being purchased by UFC's owner, Zuffa, in 2007, ended his seven years with the company. Millen said he had a cordial relationship with UFC's CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and could have worked for Zuffa if he wanted. Through their prior business dealings in Pride FC, Millen knew Vadim Finkelstein, the manager of Fedor Emelianenko. Finkelstein launched the promotion M-1 Global in Russia and gave Millen the position of vice president in early 2008. Millen resigned from M-1 Global in 2010 and later became an adviser to Emelianenko. In 2011. In 2015, Pride FC's former owner Nobuyuki Sakakibara re-entered the MMA business and launched Rizin Fighting Federation (RFF). Jerry Millen was made RFF's senior vice president. Millen was present in the cage at Bellator MMA Live (2013) {Bellator 142-Dynamite} along with Sakakibara, Spike network President Kevin Kay, Bellator's President Scott Coker, and commentator Jimmy Smith-for the announcement that Emelianenko would end his three-year retirement. Fedor competed for RFF at an event which televised in the United States on Spike. Millen resigned from RFF in April 2017. Millen is now the manager of HW great Fedor Emelianenko.