Suckerpunch: Fedor vs. Werdum

The MMA overload continues.  Saturday’s Fedor vs. Werdum card both tested our patience as fight fans, and turned the MMA world upside down in one single night.  Needless to say it served as an opening act so to speak for this week’s Lesnar vs. Carwin heavyweight toggle.

The most appreciated aspect of the card was….

No ex-football players or former athletes on the card.  Every participant on Saturday’s card is a full-fledged mixed martial artist.  No freak shows or guest spots which is something fight fans really appreciate.

Cung Le won and….

was there any doubt?  He was dominating his first match with Scott Smith until he ran out of gas then found himself waking up to the ceiling lights.  It’ll be interesting to see whether he grants Smith a rubber match, or now that he has avenged his loss will it give him enough satisfaction to move on?  In any case he needs to quickly make up his mind.  No more pondering.

Enough already…

and make the Erin Toughill – Cyborg Santos match.  I don’t know what was worse.  Strikeforce’s sadistic matchmaking in this case or the referee’s decision to allow Cyborg to keep butchering poor over-matched Jan Finney. There was never going to be any Buster Douglas moment for Finney in this one.  She was just the latest sacrificial lamb for Cyborg.  Strikeforce has a legitimate and potentially competitive women’s championship match on their hands with Cyborg and Toughill.  There is no reason to keep prolonging it.

The WTF Award goes to…

Fabricio Werdum for submitting the world’s best heavyweight.  Talks of retirement and never watching any film of his opponent’s fights sent off alarming signals that Fedor Emelianenko may not h ave been totally focused for this fight. He’s neither the first grand champion to make this mistake nor will he be the last.  In any case Werdum shocked the world and deserves all the credit in the world for doing what many that was impossible.  The only person probably happier than Werdum himself is Dana White.

Fedor vs. Rogers Aftermath

Marloes Coenen vs. Roxanne Modaferri

Oh, that’s right Scott Coker featured this in the prelims therefore you missed Marloes Coenen’s 65 second eradication of Roxanne Modaferri.  Coenen likely earned a title shot but it will bring little buzz since no one got to see what she has in store for Cyborg.

Gerard Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou

Mousasi was never in any real danger against Sokoudjou.  Sokoudjou gets his props for fairing much better than anyone expected, but Mousasi put the “jungle fighter” to sleep before any real expectations of an upset could occur.  With an anemic light heavyweight division it will be interesting to see what “The Dream Catcher’s” future holds.

Middleweight Championship – Miller vs. Shields

“Mayhem” Miller delivered all the action in his fight against Jake Shields.

What many believed could be the fight of the night led to a dreary 25-minute snooze fest.  Almost as disappointing was the much hyped cage entrance for Jason “Mayhem” Miller.  The priest robe and dancing were almost as dreadful as the fight itself.

The monotonous action was no fault of Miller’s who delivered the fight’s few stirring moments.  Both men had their advantages and clearly Shields’ wrestling outweighed Miller’s striking.  Shields did what was necessary to earn a decision although he did not win anyone over with this performance.  The awkward ground positioning forced in the match most certainly caused viewers at home to flip to the UFC’s counter broadcast.  Miller deserves credit for doing more on the bottom than Shield did in a dominant position.  He is the true winner of this fight although this match did nothing to phase Dana White one bit about his apparent competition.

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers

Fedor left Rogers a crumbled heap and again walked away victoriously.

All hail Fedor. The public wanted an entertaining fight and they got it in Fedor vs. Rogers.  Brett Rogers was game and even had his moments in the fight but his refusal to give Fedor any credit in his post-fight interview deserved another overhand right from hell.  He bloodied and banged Fedor but never had him in any real trouble.  Fedor has seen it all and once he figured Rogers out then Rogers’ night was over.  No premature stoppage as Rogers claims as you could see when his eyes glazed over when he hit the mat. Big John McCarthy is the best in the business and made the right call.  Fedor crushed Rogers with a single right hook so had he been allowed to continue then Rogers’ wife may not have recognized him after the fight.  Strikeforce needs to strike while the iron is hot and put Fedor next in line for champion Alistair Overeem.

5 Reasons To Watch Fedor vs. Rogers

Dana White would have you believe that nothing in MMA exists outside of the UFC.  He has crushed every rival promotion that dare attempt to take a slice of the MMA pie.  Little experience and overspending have exhausted upstart promotions such as Elite XC and Affliction, but in Strikeforce/M-1 Global the UFC will see that this telecast will be different.

White knows it too.  He’s countering Strikeforce’s card with his own collaboration broadcast of main event fights from recent pay-per-view events.  It’s a colossal line up sure to put up a good fight against a quality card.  Sure to White’s displeasure, here are 5 reasons you should watch Strikeforce – Fedor vs. Rogers.

5) Women’s MMA

Just because Dana White didn’t want women fighting under the UFC banner doesn’t mean they don’t belong in the sport.  Make no mistake about it, these female warriors put on a good show.  In most cases their fights are more compelling than those of their male counterparts.  Carano vs. Cyborg was a massive success and even though women’s MMA is “The Gina Carano Show” this is an excellent opportunity to see the other capable women in the sport not named either Gina Carano or Cris Cyborg.  Roxanne Modaferri vs. Marloes Coenen should be an entertaining scrap and also help paint a picture of potential challenger(s) for Cris Cyborg.

4) Gegard Mousasi

"The Dream Catcher" lived up to his moniker by putting Babalu to sleep for the middleweight championship.

Mousasi is arguably the most talented light heavyweight not in the UFC.  He has devastating skills and his impressive KO of former UFC champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral in his Strikefore debut opened many eyes.  His title is not on the line but keep in mind he’s the #7 ranked light heavyweight in the world regardless of promotion according to Sherdog.  Whenever a fighter is mentioned in the same breath as Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida & Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, then that fighter deserves a look.  He shouldn’t disappoint.

3) Jason “Mayhem” Miller vs. Jake Shields

"Mayhem" is a lunatic and crazy guys are always entertaining.

The Strikeforce Middleweight Championship fight is a lock for “Fight of the Night”.  “Mayhem” Miller should bring millions of fresh fans to the event thanks to his hosting gig on MTV’s “Bully Beatdown”.  Those who knew him before MTV know him for his flamboyant style and balls out fighting style.  Jake Shields is a beast that is vastly skilled and matches up well against Miller.  Shields is a heavy favorite but Miller doesn’t lat down for anybody and has promised to “beat the piss out of Jake Shields”.  You can bet the farm that both Miller and Shields will make this an instant classic.

2) Fedor Emelianenko

Move over Mr. Rogers, this is Fedor's neighborhood.

The Russian Sambo king looks more like the neighborhood bus driver than the world’s top heavyweight, but his impressive record illustrates he’s butchered a murderer’s row of legendary heavyweights including a few former UFC champions.  Forget the language barrier because Fedor does his talking violently with his fists.  The next one in line looking to crush the folklore of Fedor is heavy-hitting Brett Rogers.  Rogers is a big and scary heavyweight who can end the fight in an instant.   At 6’5″ and 265lbs he is a monster of man who is living up the “Rocky” role leading up to the fight.  Fedor is no stranger to larger opponents and has dismantled them with the slightest window open for destruction.  This one is not going the distance and will be fun while it lasts.  If you love knockouts then this is a fight you’re not going to want to miss.

1) It’s Free

Strikeforce is exhibiting every MMA fan’s dream.  They are airing a PPV quality card for free on a major network.  The UFC has put on similar shows for free on Spike but believe it or not, not everyone has cable.  All you need is a television and you can watch Fedor vs. Rogers.

Competition is good and in this case the fans are the beneficiaries.  Pro wrestling was at its peak when Ted Turner’s WCW went head-to-head against Vince McMahon’s WWE (formerly WWF).  Competition raises the bar and forces one to boost their brand.  UFC105 is airing live on Spike and it’s not because Dana White wants to throw you a bone.