marcelt
22-12-2009, 00:27
by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Dec 21, 2009 at 8:55 am ET
Former PRIDE and UFC fighter Fabricio Werdum (13-4-1 MMA, 2-0 SF) is expected to get the next fight with Strikeforce's prized heavyweight, Fedor Emelianenko (31-1 MMA, 1-0 SF).
The fight would likely headline the organization's return to CBS airwaves, which is tentatively slated for April and could also include Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields (24-4-1 MMA, 2-0 SF) vs. recent signee Dan Henderson (25-7 MMA, 0-0 SF).
CEO Scott Coker discussed the possible heavyweight matchup at this past weekend's "Strikeforce: Evolution" event.
However, the executive said the fight has not been finalized.
Werdum, who was surprisingly dropped by the UFC in 2008 after a 2-2 record, is now 2-0 in Strikeforce. After a submission victory over Mike Kyle in August, the Brazilian fighter then scored a unanimous decision victory over Antonio Silva in a hard-fought bout at Strikeforce's November debut on CBS.
Emelianenko, meanwhile, made his heavily hyped Strikeforce debut at the same November show. The signing came after the fighter and UFC officials could not come to terms on a deal of their own.
The former longtime PRIDE heavyweight champion was challenged in his Strikeforce debut but ultimately scored a vicious second-round knockout of then-undefeated Brett Rogers. It was his 27th consecutive victory (with one no-contest).
Although Emelianenko is expected to eventually fight Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem (31-11 MMA, 2-0 SF), who hasn't competed in the organization since winning his title in November 2007, Coker isn't sure when the champion will fight next, though April is a possibility.
For the latest on the as-yet-unannounced Strikeforce on CBS (http://mmajunkie.com/event/683/strikeforce-on-cbs.mma) show in April, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors (http://mmajunkie.com/Events.aspx?rumors) section of MMAjunkie.com.
Former PRIDE and UFC fighter Fabricio Werdum (13-4-1 MMA, 2-0 SF) is expected to get the next fight with Strikeforce's prized heavyweight, Fedor Emelianenko (31-1 MMA, 1-0 SF).
The fight would likely headline the organization's return to CBS airwaves, which is tentatively slated for April and could also include Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields (24-4-1 MMA, 2-0 SF) vs. recent signee Dan Henderson (25-7 MMA, 0-0 SF).
CEO Scott Coker discussed the possible heavyweight matchup at this past weekend's "Strikeforce: Evolution" event.
However, the executive said the fight has not been finalized.
Werdum, who was surprisingly dropped by the UFC in 2008 after a 2-2 record, is now 2-0 in Strikeforce. After a submission victory over Mike Kyle in August, the Brazilian fighter then scored a unanimous decision victory over Antonio Silva in a hard-fought bout at Strikeforce's November debut on CBS.
Emelianenko, meanwhile, made his heavily hyped Strikeforce debut at the same November show. The signing came after the fighter and UFC officials could not come to terms on a deal of their own.
The former longtime PRIDE heavyweight champion was challenged in his Strikeforce debut but ultimately scored a vicious second-round knockout of then-undefeated Brett Rogers. It was his 27th consecutive victory (with one no-contest).
Although Emelianenko is expected to eventually fight Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem (31-11 MMA, 2-0 SF), who hasn't competed in the organization since winning his title in November 2007, Coker isn't sure when the champion will fight next, though April is a possibility.
For the latest on the as-yet-unannounced Strikeforce on CBS (http://mmajunkie.com/event/683/strikeforce-on-cbs.mma) show in April, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors (http://mmajunkie.com/Events.aspx?rumors) section of MMAjunkie.com.