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Strikeforce “Fedor vs. Rogers” Preview and Full Event Coverage By Justin Bolduc
 **Click Here for LIVE Weigh-In Results**
The undercard features exciting bouts as well including stand-out Jeff Curran and The Ultimate Fighter's Mark Miller. Additionally, female fighters will compete on the Chicago card as Roxanne Modaferri is being paired up against Marloes Coenen.
The broadcast team will feature Gus Johnson, Frank Shamrock, and Mauro Ranallo. Fans living overseas in Japan are being given the opportunity to watch the bouts live over the internet for free, and in edition EA will be showing a preview trailer for their upcoming MMA game during the broadcast. Fedor Emelianenko (30-1, 1 NC) vs. Brett Rogers (10-0) *Non-Title Heavyweight Bout Fedor Emelianenko has been consistently held as the top heavyweight in the world since his first win over former PRIDE heavyweight champion and former UFC heavyweight interim champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at PRIDE 25 in 2003. The sole loss against the Russian came against Tsuyoshi Kohsaka in a tournament in RINGS when Emelianenko caught an accidental elbow which opened a bad cut. Although elbows were illegal the tournament format called for a winner to proceed. Since then Emelianenko has won 24 out of his last twenty-five bouts, with the lone ending by no contest after an accidental head butt.
Emelianenko has also been hailed as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in mixed martial arts. Competing professional since 2000, he holds one of the most impressive resumes in the sport with wins over former champions in Mark Coleman (twice), Kevin Randleman, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (twice), Tim Sylvia, Renato Sobral, and Andrei Arlovski. Emelianenko has finished eight of his last ten opponents, with the two decisions coming against Nogueira and PRIDE's 2006 Open-Weight Grand Prix champion Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic. In thirty victories he has finished seven opponents by TKO and sixteen by submission.
Emelianenko appears rather unimposing physically, with a bit of flab in the mid-section and a very friendly smile. He is however one of the most dangerous athletes in the sport with devastating ground and pound, dangerous striking, and great submissions. Emelianenko also possesses great speed, power, and never-ending cardio. He is the best kept secret for international MMA, but this weekend with a live CBS broadcast the United States will finally learn who “The Last Emperor” truly is.
Intangibles:
Strikeforce Record: Debut PRIDE Record: 14-0, 1 NC Strengths: Adapts to any situation, most wins by submission, brutal ground and pound Weaknesses: Cuts easy Key Wins: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (2), Semmy Schilt, Tim Sylvia, Andrei Arlovski, Mark Coleman (2), Kevin Randleman, Mirko Filipovic, Heath Herring, Ricardo Arona, Renato Sobral, Mark Hunt, Hong Man Choi, Gary Goodridge, Kazuyuki Fujita, Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, Matt Lindland Notable Loss: Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (cut)
Brett Rogers faces staggering odds in his Russian foe this weekend, especially with a strong sense of grappler versus striker coming up, but he has faced the odds before and come through in devastating fashion. Rogers Rogers was able to posts wins in all three of his EXC bouts, finishing each opponent including PRIDE veteran James Thompson and most recently former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2006 and after winning his first five bouts stepped into Elite XC.
Rogers made his Strikeforce debut after the fall of EXC and faced Ron Humphrey in his promotional debut in April. In an entertaining and fast paced stand-up battle Rogers was able to pull through with a second round TKO. In his most recent performance he knocked out Andrei Arlovski in only twenty-two seconds. In ten professional bouts Rogers has finished each opponent, scoring nine TKO's and one submission due to strikes. He has only seen the second round twice, once thirteen seconds in and the other 1:38 in.
Rogers is a big heavyweight teetering at the 265-pound heavyweight limit. He also likes to talk about working outside of fighting, lifting tires all day. Rogers has a great work ethic and has worked very hard to be as dangerous and explosive as he is today.
Intangibles:
Strikeforce Record: 2-0 EXC Record: 3-0 Strengths: KO power, well-rounded striking, good cardio Weaknesses: Questionable ground game Key Wins: Andrei Arlovski, James Thompson, Ron Humphrey Notable Losses: None
Jake Shields (23-4-1) vs. Jason “Mayhem” Miller (22-6, 1 NC) *Strikeforce Middleweight Championship While pound-for-pound great talk is common amongst fans and critics alike, Jake Shields isn't one of the most frequently used names but he should be. In his most recent performance he moved up from welterweight to the middleweight division and finished former EXC champion and UFC veteran Robbie Lawler by submission in 2:02. Shields is currently riding a twelve-fight win streak over solid opposition including former WEC champion Carlos Condit, Paul Daley, Nick Thompson, Mike Pyle, Renato “Charuto” Verissimo, former UFC champion Dave Menne, Yushin Okami, and Bellator stand-out Toby Imada.
Shields began his professional mixed martial arts career in 1999 with a strong wrestling background. Shields has been constantly improving his stand-up, but still demonstrated some discomfort in that real in his bout against Lawler. He has however evolved his grappling and melded wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu perfectly and has finished six of his last seven opponents by submission. Shields has not lost since 2004.
While previously criticized for winning most of his bouts by laying on his opponent, Shields has really come into his own and has shown aggression and confidence on the mat. Shields competed four times in EXC and ran through his competition, only seeing the second round once. In his debut with the promotion he stopped “Charuto” with ground and pound, then submitted Pyle, Thompson, and Daley.
Intangibles:
Strikeforce Record: 1-0 EXC Record: 4-0 Key Wins: Robbie Lawler, Paul Daley, Nick Thompson, Mike Pyle, Renato Verissimo, Hayato Sakurai, Yushin Okami, Dave Menne, Toby Imada, Carlos Condit, Akira Kikuchi, Ray Cooper, Ray Steinbeiss Notable Losses: Akira Kikuchi, Ray Cooper, Phillip Miller, Marty Armendarez
Jason “Mayhem” Miller is well known in MMA circles for his wild antics, but is probably more well known in America for his appearance on MTV's show “Bully Beatdown”. But for those of you who are casual fans who only know of the TV “Mayhem”, don't be fooled – Miller can fight too. Miller has competed professionally in mixed martial arts since 2001 and has faced stiff competition including jiu-jitsu ace Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, former EXC middleweight champions Robbie Lawler and Frank Trigg, Falaniko Vitale, Chael Sonnen, and Ronald Jhun.
In 2008, Miller made his Dream debut with a showboating first round TKO over Katsuyori Shibata. He then faced Ronaldo Souza in the promotion's Middleweight Grand Prix but lost by decision. After rebounding in the main event of a smaller show with a win over Kala Hose, Miller re-matched Souza for Dream's middleweight championship. Miller landed an illegal kick however which cut Souza and stopped the bout, forcing a no contest only 2:33 in.
In the last two years Miller has gone 5-1 with one no contest. In twenty-two professional victories he has submitted thirteen opponents. Miller's extensive resume has seen him fight in the UFC, Dream, WFA, WEC, Superbrawl, ICON Sport, and HDNet Fights.
Intangibles:
Strikeforce Record: Debut Dream Record: 1-1, 1 NC Strengths: Good submissions, durable, excellent cardio Weaknesses: Weak wrestling Key Wins: Robbie Lawler, Denis Kang, Hiromitsu Miura, Tim Kennedy, Kala Hose, Falaniko Vitale, Hector Urbina, Ronald Jhun, Toby Imada Notable Losses: Georges St. Pierre, Ronaldo Souza, Frank Trigg, Chael Sonnen, Tim Kennedy, Todd Carney
Gegard Mousasi (26-2-1) vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (7-4) *Non-Title Light Heavyweight Bout Gegard Mousasi has fought extensively, especially for someone who just turned twenty-four years old this past August. Mousasi showed promise in his three PRIDE appearances which saw him defeat Hector Lombard and Makoto Takimoto and lost to Akihiro Gono. Lately however he has taken Dream and Strikeforce by storm with one-sided wins over PRIDE Welterweight Grand Prix finalist Denis Kang, Melvin Manhoef, Brazilian jiu-jitsu great Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, former K-1 champion Mark Hunt, and most recently former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral.
Mousasi began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2003 and made his PRIDE debut in 2006 with a record of 12-1-1. Going into PRIDE, he had only gone to a decision once, in his draw. In his PRIDE win over Lombard he went to decision, and the only other time he has in his career was when he defeated Dong Sik Yoon in Dream's middleweight tournament.
Mousasi started off the tournament with a triangle victory over Denis Kang, which was then followed up by the win over Yoon. Mousasi then faced Melvin Manhoef in the semi-finals where he won by triangle choke in the first round. That same night he met “Jacare” in the finals and knocked out his opponent with an upkick. Since then he has submitted Mark Hunt at Dream 9 and most recently knocked out “Babalu” in Strikeforce in only sixy seconds to earn the promotion's light heavyweight championship. Despite being a natural middleweight, Mousasi is committed to competing at light heavyweight and heavyweight as well. In twenty-six professional bouts, Mousasi has won fifteen times by TKO and nine by submission.
Intangibles:
Strikeforce Record: 1-0 Dream Record: 5-0 Strengths: Well rounded, experienced, finishes most fights Weaknesses: Natural middleweight Key Wins: Renato Sobral, Denis Kang, Dong Sik Yoon, Ronaldo Souza, Melvin Manhoef, Mark Hunt, Hector Lombard, Makoto Takimoto, Evangelista Santos Notable Losses: Akihiro Gono, Petras Markevicius
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou exploded into the forefront of mixed martial arts with devastating knockouts over Brazilian stand-outs Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ricardo Arona in PRIDE. With a 2-1 record going into his PRIDE debut, Sokoudjou was expected to be an inexperienced cakewalk for Nogueira at PRIDE 33. What happened however was not a win for the top ten ranked twin brother of former PRIDE champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, but instead a devastating knockout by Sokoudjou in only twenty-three seconds.
After defeated Nogueira, Sokoudjou was put in against highly regarded Ricardo Arona at PRIDE's final event. Arona struggled to secure a takedown and was eventually caught with an uppercut and finished. Following the bout at PRIDE 34, Sokoudjou moved on to the UFC after Zuffa purchased PRIDE. In his promotional debut he was submitted with an arm-triangle choke late in the second round against current UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida. He was able to rebound with a win over Kazuhiro Nakamura when his fellow PRIDE veteran suffered a knee injury, but that was the best he was able to do in the UFC. In his next bout he was stopped by Luis Cane by TKO in the second round.
After the loss to Cane, Sokoudjou was released by the UFC and moved on to Affliction's Day of Reckoning card. Sokoudjou faced former Strikeforce champion and UFC contender Renato “Babalu” Sobral, but lost due to a d'arce choke in the second round. Sokoudjou has since rebounded with two TKO victories in Dream's Super Hulk Grand Prix by stopping Jan Nortje at Dream 9 and Bob Sapp at Dream 11.
Intangibles: Strikeforce Record: Debut UFC Record: 1-2 Strengths: Judo background, explosive striking, athletic Weaknesses: Struggles when pressured Key Wins: Ricardo Arona, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Kazuhiro Nakamura Notable Losses: Lyoto Machida, Luis Cane, Renato Sobral, Glover Teixera
Fabricio Werdum (12-4-1) vs. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (13-1) *Non-Title Heavyweight Bout Fabricio Werdum has been well known in grappling circles for his excellent Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills, but really made himself known with his bouts in PRIDE. Werdum began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2002 with a first round submission over Tengiz Tedoradze before fighting James Zikic to a draw. He then picked up wins over Kristof Midoux and former UFC contender Gabriel Gonzaga. After a knockout win over Ebenezer Fontes Braga, Werdum made his PRIDE debut against Tom Erikson in 2005.
After submitting Erikson, Werdum was paired up against Roman Zentsov, winning again by submission. Werdum then fought Sergei Kharitonov at PRIDE 30, losing an exciting split decision. After rebounding with a win, Werdum then faced Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem in the opening of PRIDE's 2006 Open-Weight Grand Prix. Werdum secured a fight ending kimura in the second round. He then faced Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in the tournament's quarter-finals, losing a close unanimous decision.
After the bout with Nogueira, Werdum defeated Aleksander Emelianenko at 2 Hot 2 Handle: Pride & Honor. PRIDE was then sold to Zuffa, owners of the UFC, and Werdum made the move to the American promotion. In his debut he lost a lackluster decision against former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski in a bout which neither fighter engaged at all. Werdum returned with a vengeance however with TKO stoppages over Gonzaga and Brandon Vera. At UFC 90, Werdum was knocked out by rising prospect Junior Dos Santos and subsequently left the UFC. In his most recent bout he defeated Mike Kyle with a guillotine choke in his Strikeforce debut in August.
Intangibles: Strikeforce Record: 1-0 PRIDE Record: 4-2 Strengths: Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, improved striking, good conditioning Weaknesses: Can become too aggressive in the stand-up Key Wins: Aleksander Emelianenko, Alistair Overeem, Gabriel Gonzaga (2), Brandon Vera, Roman Zentsov, Tengiz Tedoradze, Ebenezer Fontes Braga, Tom Erikson Notable Losses: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Andrei Arlovski, Junior Dos Santos, Sergei Kharitonov
Antonio Silva became an instant hot prospect after his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2005. At 6'6” tall and approximately 300 pounds, Silva possessed speed, agility, and athleticism rarely, if ever, seen in someone of his size. Silva quickly won his first seven bouts, each in the first round, with wins including stoppages of Tengiz Tedoradze, Tom Erikson, and Ruben “Warpath” Villareal.
Silva tasted defeat for the only time in his career when he was TKO'd by Eric Pele in his sole appearance with Bodog Fight. Silva has since rebounded with six consecutive wins, finishing all but one of those opponents. After his loss to Pele, Silva made his Elite XC debut against Wesley “Cabbage” Correira. Silva finished “Cabbage” in the first round and then showcased his jiu-jitsu abilities against Jonathan Wiezorek by finishing the bout with a rear naked choke.
In the sole decision of his career, Silva edged out former UFC champion Ricco Rodriguez by split decision. He then faced the late Justin Eilers for EXC's heavyweight championship, winning by TKO nineteen seconds into the second round. Following the win over Eilers, Silva tested positive for anabolic steroids and was subsequently suspended by the state athletic commission. He has since fought for Sengoku twice and has maintained his innocence. In his two Sengoku bouts, Silva has picked up wins over Yoshihiro Nakao and Jim York.
Intangibles:
Strikeforce Record: Debut EXC Record: 4-0 Strengths: Well rounded, size, athletic Weaknesses: Untested on the ground Key Wins: Ricco Rodriguez, Justin Eilers, Tengiz Tedoradze, Tom Erikson, Jim York, Yoshihiro Nakao (injury), Wesley Correira Notable Loss: Eric Pele
Strikeforce “Fedor vs. Rogers” Complete Fight Card Main Card: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers Jake Shields vs. Jason “Mayhem” Miller (Strikeforce Middleweight Championship) Gegard Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou Fabricio Werdum vs. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva Preliminary Card: Roxanne Modafferi vs. Marloes Coenen Mark Miller vs. Deray Davis Christian Uflacker vs. Jonatas Novaes Louis Taylor vs. Nate Moore Jeff Curran vs. Dustin Neace
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