Post subject: Fedor Emelianenko fights undefeated Brett Rogers
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 7:38 am
Showtime: Fedor Emelianenko fights undefeated Brett Rogers in Strikeforce debut
Fedor Emelianenko (30-1) will meet undefeated Brett Rogers (10-0) in his Strikeforce debut this fall, officials from the organization's broadcast partner, Showtime, today announced.
Strikeforce, though, has yet to announce a venue or date for the event (possibly to curb the UFC from counter-programming the show).
Emelianenko, widely regarded as the sport's top heavyweight fighter, signed a three-fight deal with Strikeforce earlier this month, and company founder and CEO Scott Coker recently said Rogers or Fabricio Werdum would likely be the Russian fighter's first opponent.
Emelianenko was featured at a public workout today in New York City. The Emelianenko vs. Rogers matchup was revealed during the media and fan event.
While no date has been set, Coker recently told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Emelianenko's debut date had been moved from October to November.
Emelianenko signed with Strikeforce after the UFC refused to co-promote his fights with M-1, an international organization co-owned by Emelianenko and his manager, Vadim Finkelchstein. The UFC and Emelianenko had negotiated previously, but the latest round of talks seemed the most promising, especially after his former home, Affliction Entertainment, canceled its Aug. 1 show, announced it was ceasing promotional operations and returning to the UFC as an official sponsor.
However, both UFC president Dana White and Finkelchstein acknowledged that the co-promoting demands tripped up the negotiations.
Emelianenko now enters Strikeforce with a 26-fight win streak (with 20 stoppages), including victories over former UFC champions Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia in his two most recent bouts. He had been slated to fight Josh Barnett at "Affliction: Trilogy," but Barnett was denied a license due to a failed drug test, and the Aug. 1 event was scrapped altogether a few days later.
Rogers, meanwhile, enters the contest with a perfect 10-0 record with 10 stoppages. In fact, only one opponent (Abongo Humphrey) lasted more than a round with the Minnesota-based fighter. Most recently, Rogers, who had campaigned for Barnett's slot before the "Trilogy" event was ultimately canceled, scored a stunning 22-second knockout over former UFC champ Arlovski at a June Strikeforce event in St. Louis.
No other details were announced about the Emelianenko vs. Rogers matchup. While the fight is certain to headline the show, it's unknown if it'll be a standard three-rounder or if it'll be a five-round bout for an interim heavyweight title.
For the latest on "Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers," stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.
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