Strikeforce: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers Preview and Predictions

Strikeforce and M-1 Global are putting on a fight card worthy of pay-per-view Saturday night in the Chicago area, but this one is available for free on CBS. We've got a full preview and predictions of the four big fights below.

What: Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers

When: The undercard starts at 7 PM ET Saturday, and the four-fight televised card begins at 9.

Where: Sears Centre, Hoffman Estates, Illinois

How: Watch on CBS or just follow along with our live coverage here at FanHouse.

Predictions on the four televised fights:
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers
Fedor is the best fighter ever, and Rogers is inexperienced and incomplete as a fighter. That doesn't mean Rogers can't win -- he does have a 40-pound weight advantage and the kind of knockout power that makes him a threat to anyone -- but it probably means he won't win. I wouldn't be shocked if Rogers becomes the first opponent in more than three years to make it into the second round with Fedor, but I would be shocked if Rogers actually won. Pick: Fedor.

Jake Shields vs. Jason "Mayhem" Miller
This fight is for the Strikeforce middleweight belt, and it's a fight that I think has the potential to do a lot for Shields' career. Miller is funny and charismatic and has done more than his share of the hyping of this fight, but I expect Shields to beat him decisively and continue to show that he's one of the sport's most talented athletes. Pick: Shields.

Gegard Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
This fight should be for the Strikeforce light heavyweight belt, but for some reason Mousasi, the champion, is not defending his title in this bout. Sokoudjou has good judo skills and serious punching power, and he's a threat to upset anyone, but Mousasi is a truly elite fighter who should pull out the win. Pick: Mousasi.

Antonio Silva vs. Fabricio Werdum
This is the toughest fight on the card to pick, as Silva's powerful striking and 50-pound size advantage will match up with Werdum's world-class Brazilian jiu jitsu. It could go either way, but I like Werdum to submit the enormous Silva. Pick: Werdum.

We'll have full Strikeforce coverage on Saturday night, and you can follow all the action by following my MMA Twitter updates.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-06-2009 @ 10:42AM

exp said...

Here are my picks:

Rogers vs. Fedor: Roger comes in, lets Fedor tag him, and goes to sleep. Fedor Rd1

Shields vs. Mayhem: Shields actually pulls a submission out of nowhere. I think Mayhem thinks he is a better grappler than Shields. Sub Rd3

Mousasi vs. Soko: no contest. 2Min RD 1 Mousasi wins.

Silva vs. Werdum: Silva is more than what people give him credit for. He wins 2nd RD TKO. Then tests positive for cocaine.

11-06-2009 @ 1:41PM

neozoo said...

wtf!
i thought you were saying fedor was going to lose and that if he didn't you were going to leave this site forever.
now, your picking him?
honor your words man.

11-06-2009 @ 3:18PM

johnnynumber5 said...

exp

How is it your now picking Fedor when you said Rogers would win via KO? As Neo said you even promised to leave the site forever if Rogers didn't win. What the hell?

My Picks:

Fedor via submission (arm bar) in round 1
Mousasi via TKO (strikes) in round 1
Shields via submission (guillotine) in round 3
Silva via TKO (strikes) in round 3
Coenen via decision (majority)

I think Fedor takes Rogers to the ground within the clinch, gets mount and either gets a quick armbar or rakes his back and chokes him out.

11-06-2009 @ 3:37PM

M13 said...

He probably likes it here.

11-06-2009 @ 5:54PM

You guys are just haters. I really though Rogers was going to win. But then I listened to his interview with Ariel Halwani or whoever that dude is and he was like a drunken man. He was like "don't be surprised if I let Fedor tag me so I can tag him." I am like. Man. This guy is crazy. Forget that crap. Fedor might be overrated but if you leave your chin open, anyone can get knocked out.

11-06-2009 @ 10:03PM

How are we haters when those were YOUR exact words? We're just restating what you already said very adamantly.

11-06-2009 @ 10:46PM

I hate to burst your bubble but we all know this fight is fixed. Jerry Millen said in an interview today that there was pretty much no way Fedor could lose. In this game, everybody has a punchers chance. When someone says that, it basically means "we went to Rogers house, offered him a million bucks and told him if he wins we and our Russian mafia friends are going to get rid of his family and loved ones, and he is going to have a car accident or something"

It's all too obvious that Rogers is scared like hell from these Russians. If they are willing to sponsor genocide in the middle east, do you really think they'll let Rogers win? With the UFC, you've got Italian Mafia going against Russian Mafia so Jerry can't bully people around.

11-06-2009 @ 1:03PM

richardbikle said...

fedor is going to sub this guy in the first round. rogers is a pig on the ground

11-06-2009 @ 3:07PM

Well, unless we're in for treat a la Miguel Torres vs. Brian Bowles, I'd go for Fedor too. Fedor could probably knock Rogers out as well.

11-06-2009 @ 3:22PM

It's actually pretty likely especially if Rogers goes charging in like did against Arlovski. But, I think Fedor clinches, gets the trip/sweep/grapevine then goes into mount and wins via submission. Fedor can def knock him out though if Rogers starts swinging for the fences.

11-06-2009 @ 3:42PM

I agree if this fight hits the ground the odds would definitely be in Fedor's favor. I don't think trying to take Rogers down would be so simple. I've been wrong before trying to give the benefit of the doubt. Rogers does have a decent wrestling base to go with his size. It's not a guarantee though. I'm really looking forward to this event.

11-06-2009 @ 5:13PM

John said...

I like Fedor but... Rogers know the cage, is hungry, very big and hits like thunder. Fedor is going to be overhelmed by performing in the USA, the cage is very diffirent than the ring, I am afraid that Rogers is going to knock him out cold. And believe me I hope I am wrong.

11-06-2009 @ 5:28PM

not me, i hope you're right.

although as i've stated all along, rogers really has no chance other than landing a dream punch and following it up with about 20 more. fedor has shown he can take a punch and a suplex on his head.
i will be rooting my arse off for rogers, although in vain.
it's not fedor i don't like, it his association with m-scum-1.
i like fedor, his seeming humbleness, sportsmanship, etc...the dude is a complete freak of nature. short pudgy and the baddest mofo ever.
i just have major dislike and disdain for m-1.
that is the only reason i want to see him lose.

11-07-2009 @ 2:57AM

Christian Devin said...

With all that CBS has riding on this fight, Fedor is like their bait to get viewers,also there is some truth in the Russia Mob being behind the scenes(contracts), Rogers will put on a good showing maybe 3 rounds but get very tired, TKO, Fedor wins but leaves open for others to say he isn't the same Fedor as in the past, there gives CBS more shows!!!

11-07-2009 @ 8:26AM

billy said...

Only stupid arrogant yanks would make some of these comments.
Rogers is a very tough guy.He is big and has heavy hands.
Fedor has fought everyone from every style in Pride.
As far as the Russian mob ....im part Russian thank God...i wish they would pay Dana White a visit.

11-07-2009 @ 12:30PM

j said...

Fedor/Rogers Prediction:

Rogers wakes up in the emergency room after the fight. Fedor, 1st or 2nd round KO, easily.

What is cool about this fight is that somebody is going to lose for the first time since both fighters are undefeated.

11-07-2009 @ 8:44PM

don 'beee' king said...

fedor will win.. because he is a punk ass that ran from the mma and into a weak ass bunch of fighters.. injoy your win fedor because deep down you will always know you ran from the best.