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SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers

The Unpopular Opinion

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Us here at MMA4Real try to be politically correct for the most part and call everything down the middle.  However, there comes a time when you have to call it how you see it and maybe give your own brash opinion(s) on certain topics.  I am going to try to do this on a regular basis following each major event and give a few of my own harsh views towards the companies and fighters involved.  The beauty of it all is you can join in yourself and either blast me for my comments or throw in your own opinions.  So here we go:

[DISCLAIMER]  Just to clarify, the thumbs down does NOT mean that I disliked the event, it's somewhat of a working logo for the column.

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers

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SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers

First of all, I really enjoyed the show and I thought that Strikeforce did a pretty good job overall.  Let's get right to the fights:

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers

-Man, I just have to tip my hat to Brett Rogers.  Nobody gave him a shot at beating Fedor(including me) and the guy definitely gave Fedor a run for his money and possibly a bit more.  I don't know if I've ever seen anyone ground and pound Fedor the way Rogers was doing so against the cage.  He also showed the ability to escape from the kimura and armbar attempts from Fedor, so his ground game isn't non existent like most of us thought.  However, Fedor is Fedor and he showed why, because the speed in which he throws his punches is absolutely incredible.  It was as if he launched his entire body into that right hand that put Rogers down.  It was a perfect fight for Strikeforce in that Emelianenko got a highlight reel KO,and Rogers looked very respectable against the best HW fighter of all time.  They also took the time to 'build up' a possible re-match for the future.  Well done.

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers

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World HW Champ Fedor Emelianenko

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 This heavyweight fight was for the WAMMA heavyweight title, which honestly doesn't mean anything at all.  The fight starts and a lot of feinting and they exchange.  Fedor is bleeding from the exchange.  Fedor takes Rogers down, but Rogers bounces right back up and pins Fedor against the cage.  Rogers doing work against the cage.  Fedor lands a HUGE left hook and Rogers is hurt.  Fedor pounces and Rogers backpedals and covers up.  Fedor tries to throw Rogers down but Rogers defends.  Fedor gets the takedown.  Roger reverses, and Fedor goes for a Kimura.  Rogers defends and starts landing some huge ground and pound.  Fedor goes for an armbar but Rogers defends.  Rogers looks like he is gassing, and Fedor is bleeding heavily.  Fedor finishes the round on top of Rogers.

Rogers comes out on his toes and Fedor looks calm.  Rogers trying to work the jab.  The crowd is loud and chanting.  Fedor spins Rogers into the cage and is teeing off on Rogers, but Rogers is defending well.  Rogers now pins Fedor into the cage.  Rogers with a good knee to the body.  Fedor throws a HUGE right hand and Rogers goes down.  He's hurt and Fedor pounces!!!  The referee moves in to stop the bout.

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers

Jake Shields-Strikeforce Middleweight Champion

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This fight was for the Strikeforce middleweight title and it featured two guys that are polar opposites in personality.  Shields wasted absolutely no time in shooting for the take down and was successful.  He almost immediately moved to back control and then the mount position, but Miller's experience showed and he took minimal damage.  Shields clearly wanted no parts of any standup game with Miller, but he didn't do much when he got the fight down to the ground.  Miller did a great job of getting back to his feet and then he took Shields down and implemented a little ground and pound of his own.  Some transitions and then Miller got another takedown as the bell sounded. 

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers

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Strikeforce light heavyweight fighter Gegard Mousasi

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This fight was America's introduction to Gegard Mousasi, arguably the best light heavyweight not in the UFC.  Mousasi came out almost nonchalantly, but and almost smirked at Sokoudjou at times.  However, Sokoudjou didn't seem intimidated and landed a couple of shots to experience some early success against Mousasi.  Most of his success came from a 1-2 combo and finishing with a strong leg kick.  Sokoudjou whom is a judo player, finally implemented some judo in MMA competition.  In fact, he landed two judo throws against Mousasi early on.  However, Mousasi was able to reverse Sokoudjou a couple of times to end up in a dominant position.

Mousasi continued to stalk Sokoujou in the second round and landed some nice shots in the clinch.  It appeared as if Sokoudjou was beginning to fade after about a minute and a half in thru the second round.  However, Mousasi made a big mistake while attempting a take down, but Sokoudjou couldn't capatilize.  Mousasi seemed to sense that Sokoudjou was fading and just poured it on after reversing Sokoudjou on the ground.  Mousasi landed some vicious ground and pound and the referee came in to same Sokoudjou.  Mousasi wins via TKO.

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers

Strikeforce HW Fabricio Werdum

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In a fight that ultimately could determine who will face the winner for Brett Rogers vs. Fedor Emelianenko, it was a night of size and power against technique.  Werdum showed incredibly heart surviving an early onslaught from Silva in the first round.  Werdum was repeatedly hurt with Silva punches and his experience helped him weather the storm as Werdum absorbed some vicious ground and pound in the first round.  However, he was able to land some effective shots of his own. 

In the second round, Werdum was hurt again by Silva but was able to slowly implement his gameplan to get the fight to the ground.  It appeared that Silva was beginning to slow down as Werdum was able to execute two takedowns.  However, Werdum wasn't really able to capitalize on the takedowns although we did get to witness some solid transitions from two big heavyweights.

In the third and final round they traded leg kicks to open up.  Both guys seemed kind of tentative but Werdum was able to land some knees in the clinch.  Silva really slowed down in the third round and Werdum was able to take advantage.  Werdum used an effective 1-2 combo to close the distance and clinch with Silva and execute takedowns.  Which seemed to drain Silva, but Werdum was never really able to threaten with any submission attempts.  However, Werdum was able to control almost all of the third round.  Werdum takes it via 29-28(3x) for a Unanimous Decision.

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers

Steve Cofield makes the case:

Fedor is a legend in the sport and hasn't lost since 2000, so why is Rogers the guy who is carrying the promotion? The reason is obvious. Fedor doesn't speak enough English to do television and radio interviews. So it's all been on Rogers. He did a ton of radio and newspaper spots. He also appeared on ESPN's First Take, ESPN's SportsNationand tonight he'll be seen on Last Call with Carson Daly. The ESPN appearances included a midweek trip from Chicago to Bristol, Conn.  Coker pointed out that promoting Fedor is difficult because he lives in Russia. That's all well and good but it has to be distraction for Rogers.

I would have to say that it is probably a little unfair for Rogers to have to do all of the promotion for this fight, but at the end of the day its a necessity.  Also, most of the PR work took place this week if I'm not mistaken, where the bulk of Rogers training should have been completed by now.  I doubt the PR work will have much of an effect on his performance.  It's not like he's going to have an overly complex gameplan going into the fight anyways.  If he's put in the work for this fight in the weeks prior to this week, then he should be good to go from that standpoint.  Although I will say this.  If Fedor plans to fight in America twice in 2010 like he says he is, then he needs to begin working on that English if he hasn't already done so.  Just because you are Fedor, doesn't exempt you from carrying your end of the promotion for the fight.

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers

Fedor Emelianenko

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"I look into his eyes and I see nothing. I don't see if he's serious. I don't see if he's trying to be funny. I can't sense anything from him. A lot of people say, 'Don't pay attention to his demeanor because it will psyche you out.' It's true. I feel that."

 

That's Brett Rogers describing his thoughts as he looked into the eyes of Fedor Emelianenko, his opponent on Saturday night.  It's a far cry from some of his other statements that have come from Rogers as they fight was approaching.  I wonder if the myth and aura of Fedor Emelianenko is causing self-doubt to creep into the thought process of a once confident Brett Rogers the closer it gets to Saturday night?

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers