Emelianenko, Rogers booked to battle

Updated: August 26, 2009, 6:45 PM ET
Emelianenko, Rogers booked to battle


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By Brian Knapp
Sherdog.com
Archive (http://search.espn.go.com/brian-knapp/)


Fedor Emelianenko will make his Strikeforce debut in a showdown with undefeated heavyweight Brett Rogers, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker announced on Wednesday during the Russian superstar's public workout at the Fighthouse Gym in New York City. No date or venue was announced.

Unbeaten in his last 27 fights, Emelianenko (30-1, 1 NC) flattened former UFC champions Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia in his most recent outings. The 32-year-old Russian knocked out Arlovski with one punch 3:14 into their match at Affliction "Day of Reckoning" in January but has not competed since.

Hard to handle on his feet and on the ground, Emelianenko has finished his last five opponents inside one round and holds victories against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, 2006 Pride Open Weight Grand Prix winner Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic and former UFC heavyweight champions Mark Coleman and Kevin Randleman. He has delivered 23 of his 30 career wins by knockout, technical knockout or submission.

Rogers (10-0), meanwhile, launched himself into the national spotlight when he dismantled Arlovski in 22 seconds at a Strikeforce show in June. The 28-year-old Minnesotan has finished all 10 of his opponents and stands as a formidable physical challenge for Emelianenko. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound EliteXC veteran will own a significant height and weight advantage when the two meet.

So hopefully it will be free on Showtime since it's Strikeforce!! :banana:

Yeah, it will be a Showtime event. Woo!

:offtopic

Hey sobay... Is that YOUR avatar now, or still a Kamspy creation?!?!?

The avatar bet is over. That's my baby! :)

...That's my baby! :)

Cool!! (does she know that?!?) :lol:

Good game last night, huh? Nice to see loney get a couple of hits!! :yippee:

Just wish Manny would snap out of it~ Eithier was good too! :thumbsup:

Yeah, Wolf was excellent once again! Ethier is finally showing his potential, and Loney is so lackidasical sometimes that it kills me! Manny...ugh, he better snap out of it.

Yeah, it will be a Showtime event. Woo!

The fight is on CBS tonight. This could be good since Rogers is bigger and stronger and probably hits as hard. It appears Rogers has a slugger's chance but the bad news for the sport is it probably won't be a good fight. Most likely it is an easy win for Fedor, especially if Rogers attacks winging it trying for the quick knockout. Whatever happens, it probably won't do much for MMA on network TV since it won't be a pretty fight.

Fedor in one is what I guess will happen.

Chris

The fight is on CBS tonight. This could be good since Rogers is bigger and stronger and probably hits as hard. It appears Rogers has a slugger's chance but the bad news for the sport is it probably won't be a good fight. Most likely it is an easy win for Fedor, especially if Rogers attacks winging it trying for the quick knockout. Whatever happens, it probably won't do much for MMA on network TV since it won't be a pretty fight.

Fedor in one is what I guess will happen.

Chris

Yeah, my sons are coming over to watch it. I like Rogers, but I think Fedor will win.

Actually, I like them both, but I've always thought Fedor was in a class by himself. :2cents Mayham Miller should be fun to watch~

I agree w/what you say about the sport on network TV. Still, I'm glad it's not another PPV! :yippee:

Can we please stop crowning Fedor now? He was being manhandled by a journeyman. Yes he did win but had it been anyone who had any type of conditioning it would have been all she wrote.

Can we please stop crowning Fedor now? He was being manhandled by a journeyman. Yes he did win but had it been anyone who had any type of conditioning it would have been all she wrote.

I would say the big guy Rogers was more than a journeyman. He knocked out a recent UFC champion in nothing flat. Who exactly hasn't Fedor beaten that should prevent him from being considered the best? Rogers is really big and really strong and did better than anybody else has done against Fedor as long as I have been watching.

Chris

Can we please stop crowning Fedor now? He was being manhandled by a journeyman. Yes he did win but had it been anyone who had any type of conditioning it would have been all she wrote.

Manhandled? :what:

He got hit once, and he got hit HARD. That was a bad break! Rogers is a very strong guy, and did hurt Fedor more than anyone else I've seen, but the bottom line is, Fedor knocked him out. He IS still in a class by himself.

Manhandled? :what:

He got hit once, and he got hit HARD. That was a bad break! Rogers is a very strong guy, and did hurt Fedor more than anyone else I've seen, but the bottom line is, Fedor knocked him out. He IS still in a class by himself.

Apparently Fedor's nose was broken by the first punch and at some time early in the fight, his left hand was hurt, it was in a cast shortly after the fight. Fedor is a complete fighter and can beat bigger or smaller opponents, stand up or on the ground. I don't know how anyone can say anything other than he is the best in the sport, period. He is also very tough, can take a punch, avoid submissions masterfully and has endurance to enable him to outlast tough opponents that aren't conditioned as well.

Chris

I'm sorry, but fighting a journeyman sam's club worker, who has absolutely no mixed martial arts skills aside from throwing his hands around, doesn't scream to me "tough" opponent.

And any win over Arlovski has quickly sank to meaning hardly anything, guy is an average fighter at best anymore.

I'm sorry, but fighting a journeyman sam's club worker, who has absolutely no mixed martial arts skills aside from throwing his hands around, doesn't scream to me "tough" opponent.

And any win over Arlovski has quickly sank to meaning hardly anything, guy is an average fighter at best anymore.

Agree 100%..

Put Fedor in the UFC, then we will see what he has to offer.. Until then he will only fight has beens, or cans.. Get the man some real talent to fight already..

What heavies in UFC are there?

The announcer? WWE supastar? Rusty Couture?

Nog maybe.

The only real martial artist UFC has in their heavyweight division outside of Nog is a past-his-prime Cro-Cop, who Fedor beat in when he was in his prime.

Any post sayiny Cro-Cop is not a legit martial artist just shows the posters' lack of education. There were years when Mirko was one of the most feared heavies in MMA and kickboxing.

What heavies in UFC are there?

The announcer? WWE supastar? Rusty Couture?

Nog maybe.

The only real martial artist UFC has in their heavyweight division outside of Nog is a past-his-prime Cro-Cop, who Fedor beat in when he was in his prime.

Any post sayiny Cro-Cop is not a legit martial artist just shows the posters' lack of education. There were years when Mirko was one of the most feared heavies in MMA and kickboxing.

Cro Flop, has gone down hill. He isn't the fighter he used to be. I don't see him as a challenge.
How about Lesnar, Mir, Carwin, Vera?? They are better competition then what Fedor has been fighting.

Fedor fights once every blue moon, as opposed to the fighters in the UFC, who usually fight every 3-4 months..

Who has Fedor fought in the past 3-4 years that was a contender or at least a decent fighter??? He has fought nothing but has beens and cans thus far..

When strikeforce folds, where will he fight then???

Fedor has fought all comers. Period.

Nothing is physically stopping any UFC heavyweight from fighting Fedor. But since UFC fighters aren't allowed promoters, it's hard for them take any personal control over their careers. Like deciding they want to do whatever it takes to fight the linear heavyweight champion of mixed martial arts (among other disciplines he holds titles in).

Randy Couture's main beef with UFC that caused the split is them not letting him fight Fedor. Now he's too far out of his prime to ever get the title. Fake, made-up title Lesnar has or real, linear MMA title that Fedor has.

Fedor has fought all comers. Period.

Nothing is physically stopping any UFC heavyweight from fighting Fedor. But since UFC fighters aren't allowed promoters, it's hard for them take any personal control over their careers. Like deciding they want to do whatever it takes to fight the linear heavyweight champion of mixed martial arts (among other disciplines he holds titles in).

Randy Couture's main beef with UFC that caused the split is them not letting him fight Fedor. Now he's too far out of his prime to ever get the title. Fake, made-up title Lesnar has or real, linear MMA title that Fedor has.

Well, lets have Fedor sign with the UFC.. The UFC is the top Dog.. What's stopping Fedor to sign with the UFC???? Talent..

Lets look at who he fought in the last 5 years or so, the only one worth a mention Cro-cop back in 2005.. He hasn't faced many talented fighters.. The proof is who he has faught..

Well, lets have Fedor sign with the UFC.. The UFC is the top Dog.. What's stopping Fedor to sign with the UFC???? Talent..

Lets look at who he fought in the last 5 years or so, the only one worth a mention Cro-cop back in 2005.. He hasn't faced many talented fighters.. The proof is who he has faught..

I am sorry but this is just false. He has fought a number of former UFC champions, I would have to look to see the number but about a half dozen or so. I do know without looking that he has beaten every UFC fighter he has fought. He beat Noguiera twice, a UFC contender now. He doesn't fight often now and I would guess he is near the end of his career but by looking at his opponents, there can be no question that he is the best heavyweight fighter and of course no lighter fighter wants anything to do with him. The fact is he has beaten the best in their prime when given the chance. He was signed to fight Josh Barnett, a great fighter that has failed too many drug tests to be taken seriously now but that could have been a good fight.

There is no credible argument that Fedor is not the best MMA fighter. Based on what I have read, I would say there are not many contrary opinions from experts and other great fighters, the guy is at the top of the list. The only contrary opinions I see come from fans that don't want him to be the best so they offer a moving target claiming whatever fighter he hasn't fought is better and any figther he has fought has lost it. He doesn't fight in the UFC, I understand because he wants more money than the UFC has offered, it is after all a business.

Chris

Cro Flop, has gone down hill. He isn't the fighter he used to be. I don't see him as a challenge.
How about Lesnar, Mir, Carwin, Vera?? They are better competition then what Fedor has been fighting.

Fedor fights once every blue moon, as opposed to the fighters in the UFC, who usually fight every 3-4 months..

Who has Fedor fought in the past 3-4 years that was a contender or at least a decent fighter??? He has fought nothing but has beens and cans thus far..

When strikeforce folds, where will he fight then???

Pretty funny. Vera lost to Tim Sylvia, record 0-1 against Silvia, hardly a fighter of Fedor's calibre based on a direct comparison. Mir is 0-1 against Vera. Mir is 1-1 against Leznar, a fighter with less history than Rogers. Let's see Carwin fight Rogers and if he can beat Rogers, Fedor can destroy Carwin to end the argument in my opinion, not that there is a credible argument. Since Cro Cop beat Josh Barnett 3 times and no credible case can be made that Cro Cop is better than Fedor, I would say a rather clear history of fights already indicates Fedor is easily the best heavyweight.

Chris

Also Mousasi sure looked good. That is the second time I have seen him fight and I think he is the best light heavyweight I have seen. I sure wouldn't have thought so by just looking at him during the pre-fight announcements.

Chris

People who put down Fedor are mostly relatively "new" to the MMA world, and so their knowledge is mostly based on what they have seen/heard in the past 2-3 years on PPV and/or Spike TV IMO. :2cents

As you said Chris, the majority of truly knowledgeable MMA people agree that Fedor is the greatest heavyweight.

I certainly respect these actual fighters & MMA legends opinions more than I do a couple of misguided "fans" opinions.

Fedor has no need for UFC. None. He felt disrespected by a lot of the comments from White and Co. and doesn't have a need to fight in their 'league'.

It's not like he's a up and coming fighter trying to make a name for himself. Then I guess UFC would be a viable route, but it's mostly for reality TV show winners.

Bottom line, at this point UFC is doing more to hurt MMA than help. Yes UFC helped expose MMA to the audience it enjoys today.

But think about this, do you think Nike, Adidas or Jordan would like to sign a GSP or a BJ Penn as a spokesperson? Why do you think that hasn't happened yet? Oh yeah, UFC has that Tapout clothing line. National television? Nah. Credible cable network? Nah. Sportscenter? Almost, but nah. Guess what? EA would pay BJ Penn millions of dollars to be in their MMA game. Is he? Nope. Think BJ just doesn't want a couple mil?

With the popularity of MMA right now and the visibility of a bunch of the fighters, ONLY heavy handed management could stop GSP from signing with Nike and fighting BJ Penn on NBC for millions of dollars.

The names are becoming pretty damned household. Much more than average multimillion making hockey starts. Probably more so than most multimillion making NBA stars.

Yet, these guys are getting paid like CFL special teams weight training coaching assistants. Not the superstars.


I wonder if there won't be some fallout when some contracts expire.

You know some big brands have to be knocking the doors of the GSPs, BJ Penns, Anderson Silvas etc.


If the right 10-12 guys leave UFC and go independent it's over for Zuffa. Both sides have to know that, but yet I still see the payouts after the PPVs. Chump change considering the star power.

Pretty funny. Vera lost to Tim Sylvia, record 0-1 against Silvia, hardly a fighter of Fedor's calibre based on a direct comparison. Mir is 0-1 against Vera. Mir is 1-1 against Leznar, a fighter with less history than Rogers. Let's see Carwin fight Rogers and if he can beat Rogers, Fedor can destroy Carwin to end the argument in my opinion, not that there is a credible argument. Since Cro Cop beat Josh Barnett 3 times and no credible case can be made that Cro Cop is better than Fedor, I would say a rather clear history of fights already indicates Fedor is easily the best heavyweight.

Chris
Reverting to MMA math..:haha::haha:
People who put down Fedor are mostly relatively "new" to the MMA world, and so their knowledge is mostly based on what they have seen/heard in the past 2-3 years on PPV and/or Spike TV IMO. :2cents

As you said Chris, the majority of truly knowledgeable MMA people agree that Fedor is the greatest heavyweight.

I certainly respect these actual fighters & MMA legends opinions more than I do a couple of misguided "fans" opinions.

Yea, that's right, I'm a newbie to MMA.. The first MMA fight I saw was when Gracie and Shammrock battled it out. Im not a newbie.. So I guess my knowledge is schewed, because I'm not on Fedors nuts..

I must be misguided since I don't think Fedor is a god.. :lol::lol:

That's funny how you say it's about the money with Fedor, it's not about the money.. Any true Fedor fan would agree.. There are reasons why he won't sign, and they have nothing to do with money.

Fedor has no need for UFC. None. He felt disrespected by a lot of the comments from White and Co. and doesn't have a need to fight in their 'league'.

It's not like he's a up and coming fighter trying to make a name for himself. Then I guess UFC would be a viable route, but it's mostly for reality TV show winners.

Bottom line, at this point UFC is doing more to hurt MMA than help. Yes UFC helped expose MMA to the audience it enjoys today.

But think about this, do you think Nike, Adidas or Jordan would like to sign a GSP or a BJ Penn as a spokesperson? Why do you think that hasn't happened yet? Oh yeah, UFC has that Tapout clothing line. National television? Nah. Credible cable network? Nah. Sportscenter? Almost, but nah. Guess what? EA would pay BJ Penn millions of dollars to be in their MMA game. Is he? Nope. Think BJ just doesn't want a couple mil?

With the popularity of MMA right now and the visibility of a bunch of the fighters, ONLY heavy handed management could stop GSP from signing with Nike and fighting BJ Penn on NBC for millions of dollars.

The names are becoming pretty damned household. Much more than average multimillion making hockey starts. Probably more so than most multimillion making NBA stars.

Yet, these guys are getting paid like CFL special teams weight training coaching assistants. Not the superstars.


I wonder if there won't be some fallout when some contracts expire.

You know some big brands have to be knocking the doors of the GSPs, BJ Penns, Anderson Silvas etc.


If the right 10-12 guys leave UFC and go independent it's over for Zuffa. Both sides have to know that, but yet I still see the payouts after the PPVs. Chump change considering the star power.

Yes, most of the fighters get paid crap compared to boxers. But, they still make a decent dollar, more then most people make in a few years, they make in one night..

If they(Fighters) want to bitch about the money, then don't sign with the UFC, simple as that.. They can go else where. Oh wait, where will they go strikeforce??? So the top fighters can fight shit opponets, yea that makes sense..

You want them to get paid more, then go manage them.. They are in the best org right now at the moment.. They don't have to resign, but they do, why????

They don't need Strikeforce either.

Ali, Leonard and Marciano didn't fight in the XtremeBoxingZone, so I don't see why Anderson Silva has to fight in the UFC.

They kept signing with UFC because it was the best game in town. Now the top fighters are the best game in town. Either Zuffa starts adding a zero to every check or the best fighters will get it somewhere else.

Would be interesting to see how long some of the contracts are for the big starts now. Anyone got a link?

They don't need Strikeforce either.

Ali, Leonard and Marciano didn't fight in the XtremeBoxingZone, so I don't see why Anderson Silva has to fight in the UFC.

They kept signing with UFC because it was the best game in town. Now the top fighters are the best game in town. Either Zuffa starts adding a zero to every check or the best fighters will get it somewhere else.

Would be interesting to see how long some of the contracts are for the big starts now. Anyone got a link?

Where would they go then?? It's either UFC or strikeforce.. I don't know of any other org at the moment..

Just remember once they start adding to those contracts, we the fans will be supporting that..

I feel all Pro atheletes are over paid now as it is.. No need to add anything to their checks..

Where would they go then?? It's either UFC or strikeforce.. I don't know of any other org at the moment..

So you're saying if there was Lesnar v Fedor fight that wasn't under the UFC or Strikforce banner you wouldn't be interested in it? I think it would sell just fine without either of the organizations. Hire promoters, get the damn thing done. I like Joe Rogan's commentary but he doesn't have to be there for it to be a fight.

I feel all Pro atheletes are over paid now as it is.. No need to add anything to their checks..

If pro-athletes are overpaid, are you inferring the team/league ownership should get a larger share of the revenue?


Just remember once they start adding to those contracts, we the fans will be supporting that..


The money is already there. The revenue that UFC brings in and the amount paid to the fighters is the most unproportionate ratio in all of professional sports right now.


Fighters don't need 3rd party to hold theirs hands anymore. They could leave UFC and start their own governing body. It's not healthy for the sport to still be as choked as it is right now.

The springboard for MMA is in place, but keeping it on PPV and throwing the occasional obscure fight on an obscure cable network won't grow the sport much bigger than it is now.

They need to get on national television and give the fighters more freedom over how they direct their careers.

So you're saying if there was Lesnar v Fedor fight that wasn't under the UFC or Strikforce banner you wouldn't be interested in it? I think it would sell just fine without either of the organizations. Hire promoters, get the damn thing done. I like Joe Rogan's commentary but he doesn't have to be there for it to be a fight.

I would def watch the fight. I was saying where would all these other fighters fight?? If they all left the UFC and didn't fight in strikeforce, then there would have to be another sanctioned org for them to fight in.. That would cost $$$$$$$$

If pro-athletes are overpaid, are you inferring the team/league ownership should get a larger share of the revenue?

No, I'm not talking about shares or revenue, I'm talking about salaries in general. But, I digress on this point..



The money is already there. The revenue that UFC brings in and the amount paid to the fighters is the most unproportionate ratio in all of professional sports right now.


Fighters don't need 3rd party to hold theirs hands anymore. They could leave UFC and start their own governing body. It's not healthy for the sport to still be as choked as it is right now.

The springboard for MMA is in place, but keeping it on PPV and throwing the occasional obscure fight on an obscure cable network won't grow the sport much bigger than it is now.

They need to get on national television and give the fighters more freedom over how they direct their careers.

So you suggest the fighters go their own way and start a Union then?? If so, I can't imagine how that would turn out.. If we give them too much freedom, that may also hurt the sport..

The MLBPA, NFLPA, NBAPA all beg to differ.

The fighters in UFC have no collective bargaining rights against ownership.

But yeah, either completely tear down and restructure UFC, or start a new governing body. The name of the organization shouldn't be the main attraction either. Boxing never had a name. Sure it had the WBC and other governing bodies, but they weren't throwing their logos all over the place and stopping fighters from getting sponsorships.