Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:05 pm EST
It's too bad Fedor Emelianenko hasn't gotten much mainstream media coverage over the years because tomorrow night's fight against Brett Rogers really could've been pitched as a 1980's throwback promotion. Fedor resembles some of the great Soviet Olympians from 30 years ago. He's walking around the fighter hotel in Chicago with a huge entourage that includes two dudes who look like Rasputin. The world's No. 1 heavyweight is decked out in zip up jacket that simply reads "Russia." CBS color analyst Frank Shamrock says it's all part of what makes up Fedor's aura:
"One of the things he said in his interview was 'my father and mother brought me up to have a strong love of god and of country. And I fight because I want to fight for my country. I want Russia to be pround. Just that statement we were all floored. That is a very powerful force to drive you to do something."
"He came into the warmup jumping the rope and doing pull ups. He's wearing the suits from the 70's. He want to be a good person ... after he smashes you."
His opponent Brett Rogers is far from a bad dude. His story is unreal. Making little money until 2009, the 6-5, 265-pounder had to work a full-time gig at Sam's Club. He's a family man and has fulfilled every promotional media request.
With the Cold War laid to rest, it'll be interesting to see if american viewers will root for Rogers simply because Fedor is a Russian. Most MMA fans don't care about cultural lines but they'll make up a minute portion of the CBS audience.
Shamrock buils a pretty good case for Rogers pulling the upset. Shamrock says Rogers footwork is great and he's got a great shot if he keeps Fedor backing up throughout the fight. Is he just making the pitch for CBS or does he really believe it?
Make sure you listen to the end when Shamrock suggests that the best fighter on the card is actually Gegard Mousasi. Mousasi, 24, will face Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou. Shamrock said if Mousasi ever faces Anderson Silva he'd beat him every time.
Cagewriter is an MMA blog edited by Steve Cofield. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

UFC 106 Post Fight Press Conference with Forrest Griffin
Posted Nov 22 2009
UFC 106 Post Fight Press Conference with Dana White
Posted Nov 22 2009
UFC 106 Post Fight PC with Koscheck,Nogueira, and Sadollah
Posted Nov 22 2009
Edited by MJD
Edited by 'Duk
Edited by J.E. Skeets
Edited by Greg Wyshynski
Edited by Matt Hinton
Edited by E. Brennan
Edited by Jay Busbee
Edited by Jay Busbee
Edited by Steve Cofield
Edited by Chris Chase
Edited by Chris Chase
Edited by Andy Behrens
28 Comments
1 - 25 of 28
Report Abuse
Ahh ... probably not. Saying Rogers has a shot at beating Fedor isn't Strikeforce propaganda, but that last statement sure is. And never mind the fact that A. Silva isn't even really a light heavyweight (though he can obviously fight at that weight class).
Still, the fight tomorrow is going to be killer. I hope they do sign Dan Henderson, a little competition for the UFC would be good for the sport.
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
WHAAAA?! Maybe in Strikeforce...but REALLY?! And doesn't that kind of throw your heavyweight champion Overeem under the bus? (Not that Overeem doesn't deserve it.)
For Shamrock to say that Moose would beat Anderson Silva "every time" is an absolute outrage.
Paddy: Werdum-Bigfoot could be interesting. And the womens' fight (Modafferi-Coenen), if it makes the air, ought to be good. But I do believe Fedor and Moose will steamroll their opponents in less than 3 minutes each.
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
If you do think he would win "every time," then please stop calling people "UFC nuthuggers," because you are the biggest Strikeforce nuthugger out there. Bigger than Ken Hershman and Mauro Ranallo combined.
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
I will forgive small errors and hate when people complain about them...BUT THIS ONE IS RIDICULOUS.
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
I'd say he could hold his own against Silva or Belfort on the feet, though either one of them would get the better of the striking against him.
Report Abuse
Thanks for the comment. I'll rewatch the Musashi bout.
Report Abuse
sandman, mathias, rob and jayyolf...i see your points and agree with many others in saying that shamrock is a little outta control in saying that mousasi would beat anderson every time....but i think it's important to remember that there's little to no chance he really believes that, therefore you shouldn't take it seriously either. just take it as him saying mousasi is the best fighter they have at that weight and that he'd beat the best fighter the ufc has at a similar weight....that's what my frank shamrock filter tells me.
and sandman specifically, i understand that he needs to beat more people on paper to be considered anywhere near the p4p list or warrant all these accolades in most people's eyes....but one thing that nobody seems to be taking into consideration that i always mention is JUST WATCH THE FIGHTS. listen, i get that his resume doesn't equal what you think it should for this many people to be on his jock....but when you watch him, his technique, timing, execution, defense...everything, the whole package...it's scary good. everybody knows he needs to beat more names, but everybody in the know sees how he fights, who he has done it against, who he trains with, his demeanor...all of the above. all the ingredients are there, it's obvious he's on the rise and everybody is just very excited about it. that's my take on it.
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Just like that new guy Strikeforce signed at WW - Marius Zaromskis - I think he could EVENTUALLY challenge my boy GSP, and even if he won, it wouldn't happen everytime. (if you guys haven't seen that kid fight, youtube that $h!t quick, you won't be disappointed, Zaromskis is dope, his striking is freakin' awesome!)
Report Abuse
Henderson his only "A level fight"? Rich Franklin looks terrible lately, but 3 years ago when Anderson first DESTROYED him, he was a top tier middleweight.
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
1 - 25 of 28