Fedor fights Werdum June 26

[Shaazzam]

http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/F ... dum-050410

Apologies if posted

Fedor Emelianenko will return to Strikeforce for a heavyweight bout against Fabricio Werdum on June 26 in San Jose.

Strikeforce announced the deal Tuesday to end an eight-month absence from competition for one of the world's elite mixed martial artists.

Emelianenko hasn't fought since stopping Brett Rogers last November in his Strikeforce debut. The Bay Area-based promotion competes with the UFC, which won't accept Emelianenko's demands to co-promote his own fights.

Lengthy negotiations between Strikeforce and M-1 Global, Emelianenko's promotions company, prevented the fighter from appearing on Strikeforce's disappointing show on CBS last month.

The Russian star's bout against Werdum will be telecast on Showtime from HP Pavilion.

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Fedor- ... orce-24240

Fedor-Werdum Greenlit for June 26 Strikeforce
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
by Brian Knapp (bknapp@sherdog.com)

24240
Fedor Emelianenko, the world’s top-ranked heavyweight, will lock horns with UFC and Pride Fighting Championships veteran Fabricio Werdum at an event co-promoted by Strikeforce and M-1 Global on June 26 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

Strikeforce officials announced the long-rumored matchup on Tuesday. Showtime will broadcast the event.

[CPT]

Meh.

I guess I'm supposed to be happy, but really, it's just another fight against a borderline top 10 guy while he pisses away the last remaining years of his prime refusing to fight the best fighters in the world.

Besides all that, he should have already beaten Werdum and been on to the next one, but he decided not to honour the contract he signed.

[skflives]

Wow. Someone has been getting drunk on the Hateraid. First of all, if Fedor's promotional team had an issue with the contract they have every right to address their concerns. When all is said and done the contract discussions delayed his second Strikeforce fight a mere 2 months and Fabricio Werdum is a quality fighter. As for fighting the UFC's guys, I would like to see those fights before its too late. But it takes two to tango.

[singh_shady]

I still firmly believe that Fedor is not ducking from competition, but that it's his management that is restricting him from fighting who he chooses. I think the issue goes a little more deep than what the general public knows. Whether the rumours regarding Russian mob ties are true or not I don't know, but I do think that Fedor would be fighting in the UFC if it were a viable option for him. Maybe I'm naive but that's my opinion. Specifically, I just can't imagine a guy like Fedor avoiding Overeem..

[jTF2]

Lol. I think I wrote 6 months ago when this fight was first rumored that Fedor/Rogers II is more compelling than a him and a UFC reject. Such a travesty that Fedor chooses to keep Finkelstein and M-1 crooks as company. Those two will be the undoing of his legacy.

[CPT]

I still firmly believe that Fedor is not ducking from competition, but that it's his management that is restricting him from fighting who he chooses. I think the issue goes a little more deep than what the general public knows. Whether the rumours regarding Russian mob ties are true or not I don't know, but I do think that Fedor would be fighting in the UFC if it were a viable option for him. Maybe I'm naive but that's my opinion. Specifically, I just can't imagine a guy like Fedor avoiding Overeem..

Probably a valid point, but he's chosen to have Vadim and M-1 represent him, so for all intents and purposes, the decisions they make for him are his decisions.

[Cammo101]

Not only is Fedor ducking the UFC, he may also be ducking Overeem.

[CPT]

Not only is Fedor ducking the UFC, he may also be ducking Overeem.

He's blatantly ducking Overeem.

Talking about how he's going to require full PED tests to fight Overeem who has never failed a test, but actively seeking out a fight with Barnett who has failed multiple times.

Maybe he'll fight Overeem next, but I honestly think he's going to fight Barnett in Japan on NYE, and based on his recent activity, I wouldn't expect him to take another fight in between.

[REDDzone]

Agreed. Overeem is "steroid cattle", but I'll fight Barnett...

[Cammo101]

Agreed. Overeem is "steroid cattle", but I'll fight Barnett...

Exactly. I am done giving Fedor the benefit of the doubt. He hides behind his handlers and lets them take the blame for the fight dodging he is doing.

[REDDzone]

With all of this Rodgers/Overeem talk going on, it got me thinking, is anyone else excited for their fight?

Its kind of a joke that Rodgers gets a title shot but whatever. I think it'll answer a lot of interesting questions.

Can Overeem prove he isn't steroid cattle by passing a drug test?

How legit is Rodgers? Its hard to tell with that guy.

Can Overeem beat legit heavyweights? He has been content can crushing for awhile now, he really is a huge question mark as an MMA heavyweight in my mind. I try not to be too impressed by can crushing and physique, but dude has some deadly knees/guillotines.

[Posey H8er]

I'm excited just to Overeem fight. We really don't know how good he can be at HW at his size now. James Thompson and Fujita don't tell you much. I think he will really destroy Rogers though. His striking is just far more advanced and smooth than Rogers. And a lot of people overlook how good he is at submitting guys. 19 of his 32 wins are via submission.

[Cammo101]

It is a bit of a joke that Rogers gets a title shot after a loss, but then the Strikeforce HW title is a joke. Hell, Overeem has had it for like 2 years without fighting.

I do think it will be a good fight, as Rogers is a big man and Overeem will not be able to just run through him like he has been doing to his recent opponents.

[cgf]

With all of this Rodgers/Overeem talk going on, it got me thinking, is anyone else excited for their fight?

Its kind of a joke that Rodgers gets a title shot but whatever. I think it'll answer a lot of interesting questions.

Can Overeem prove he isn't steroid cattle by passing a drug test?

How legit is Rodgers? Its hard to tell with that guy.

Can Overeem beat legit heavyweights? He has been content can crushing for awhile now, he really is a huge question mark as an MMA heavyweight in my mind. I try not to be too impressed by can crushing and physique, but dude has some deadly knees/guillotines.

That fight has me excited, so does the Fedor/Werdum, but that's just because I'd watch Fedor fight anyone and Werdum's a good solid Heavy. I think Rodgers could surprise Overeem and really prove he's top ten. Dude really impressed me in the Fedor fight, he moves really well for a guy with his great size and power.

[funkatron101]

Despite Rogers stock falling, I think if Overeem defeats him in convincing fashion, then he will prove that he deserves all the recent hype. Who has he beaten in the top-ten to even be considered a worthy opponent for Fedor?