Fedor Emelianenko, Dan Henderson to Fight for Strikeforce on April CBS Card
by Kid Nate on Dec 16, 2009 9:21 AM EST
in MMA News
Email
Print
Fanhouse reports:
A CBS spokesperson informed FanHouse on Tuesday that the network will broadcast its fifth MMA event next year, and that it will most likely air during the month of the April.
While no specific date or venue has been made official, Fedor Emelianenko and Dan Henderson have agreed to compete on the card. Their opponents have yet to be signed.
That's a fine start to a CBS card. Fedor made a strong impression on the 5,460,000 American viewers who watched him KO Brett Rogers live. Unfortunately the potential opponents that Strikeforce has for him -- Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum -- are far from household names. Overeem hasn't fought in America since winning the Strikeforce heavyweight title on Showtime in November 2007. Werdum fought on the November CBS card, taking a decision over Antonio Silva but he hardly left fans clamoring to see him challenge the fearsome Emelianenko.
The acquisition of Dan Henderson allows Strikeforce to reap the fruits of the UFC's investment in Henderson over the past few years. The former Olympic wrestler scored the Knock Out of the Night at the most viewed UFC PPV in history at UFC 100 and coached The Ultimate Fighter season 9 as well. He'll likely fight Jake Shields for the Strikeforce middleweight title -- that's if CBS execs are willing to broadcast another Jake Shields fight after he went the full five rounds against Jason "Mayhem" Miller in November.
A Henderson career path of beating Shields, moving up to take Gegard Mousasi's Light Heavyweight title and then challenging Fedor would be the biggest money fight that Strikeforce could promote in the foreseeable future. That would be the equivalent of me hitting the trifecta at Belmont.
One other advantage of signing Dan Henderson is that he frees Strikeforce from depending on Gina Carano to play the critical co-headliner role with Fedor. Dana White may be happy that Strikeforce signed Henderson, but so is Scott Coker.
Strikeforce on CBS In April coverage
54 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Suggestions for April 2010 Strikeforce
Fedor v. Overeem/Werdum
Henderson v. Mousasi/Shields
Anything less will be a large disappointment.
Twitter @brettcjones
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
Any of those fights would be Main event quality even for UFC standards.
by HappyLittleTreez on Dec 16, 2009 9:20 AM EST up reply actions
lol…
Fedor vs Werdum
Hendo vs Shields
Now change the Strikeforce logo to UFC’s and this card would be laughed right out of cyberspace. These are more like exhibition bouts… pathetic.
Fedor vs Overeem and Hendo vs Gegard… now that’s a good card – more so for Hendo vs Gegard. Even though overeem hasnt done shit in MMA, stylistically it’s way more interesting than werdum.
by mmalogic on Dec 16, 2009 9:34 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Considering Shields is ranked higher than Bisping at 185 and Hendo vs. Bisping was on the Main Card at UFC 100. Using “mmalogic” Hendo vs. Shields is a Main Card worthy bout.
I do agree with Fedor vs. Overeem making the most sense, unless they feel the need to continue to build Fedor’s name recognition, in which Fedor vs. Werdum would do that.
Its all about popularity and what sells PPV numbers not the name. Shields sells shit. He would be lucky with his fighting style to make it to the main card of a UFC PPV. Look how many times the UFc has put Fitch on the prelims.
Yeah, like Ortiz vs Griffin was such a great main event.
Change the logo from UFC to Strikeforce on that one.
by HappyLittleTreez on Dec 16, 2009 9:45 AM EST up reply actions
A card based on injuries versus a card based by purposeful design… theres a big difference.
by mmalogic on Dec 16, 2009 9:46 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Just pointing out that the UFC gets away with having ‘exhibitions’,as you put it, for main events all the time. On ppv’s no less.
I do agree that the match-ups you listed would be ideal. Although out of the two opponents for Hendo, I don’t think it matters who he fights first. Nobody likes Shields and I’m sure would tune in to see Hendo smash him ala Bisping. Hendo/Mousasi is just a sick fight.
by HappyLittleTreez on Dec 16, 2009 9:53 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That is just you spinning
#1 HW vs #10 = #2 HW vs #9 HW or better known as Brock and Carwin.
#3 MW vs #7 MW = Damian Mai vs Vitor Belfort
If that was at the top of a UFC card I know I would be watching.
by John Nash on Dec 16, 2009 1:15 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Come back to Chicago!
$75 to see Fedor was awesome.
by HappyLittleTreez on Dec 16, 2009 9:16 AM EST reply actions
Just woke up. Thought that said Henderson was fighting Fedor.
Damn.
Perhaps my best years are gone. When there was a chance of happiness. But I wouldn't want them back. Not with the fire in me now. No, I wouldn't want them back.
thought the same thing. I had also just woken up
by Swordslasher on Dec 16, 2009 2:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
i've go a funny feeling
that the headline to the april show will be ‘henderson v. fedor’…not that i’m opposed
its impossible
SF would be losing a draw after that fight. They have to milk Fedor and Henderson as much as they can.
I am. I think. I will. - Ayn Rand
i'm not so sure
i’m of the opinion that uber-eem will never fight again in the u..s., shields is a nightmare to televise, and cbs might have a major say in match making when it comes to the main events (the momentum of hendo’s k.o. of bisping is still relatively fresh).
so, i’ve got a funny feeling…
Exactly
CBS is trying to get ratings. Shields does not help one iota. And it’s his own fault. Like it or not, MMA is more than just getting wins on your record.
Such a true statement, Like I said above if Shields was in the UFC some matchups with him, If it had 3 round boring decision written all over it I don’t even think would make the main card. Shields is a fighter you have to be carfeful on how you match up if you want him on a main card and still even then you a risking a boring fight. Like it of not thats how MMA is today. Its not just all about winning its how you do it and how good you can sell yourself and you Charisma. I myself don’t think Henderson will be a BIG draw at all for Strike Force. He has never been a draw or big with casual fans and I don’t think one KO over Bisping does that now ?
Shields fights that will likely go to decision in UFC.
At WW: Jon Fitch, Ricardo Almeida, Matt Hughes, maybe Paulo Thiago.
At MW: Chael Sonnen, Yushin Okami, and if we really stretch for it, Demian Maia.
Betting Fitch/Sonnen/Okami by decision is like asking for free money and the others are style matchups that could neutralize each other. Shields is not a decision machine. He couldn’t submit ONE guy who is known for being really hard to submit. I’m not sure if the “boring” tag is because USMMA fans are so what-have-you-done-for-me-lately or if people have never seen him fight before the CBS show. Or even looked him up on FightFinder.
There are just too many fights possible
right now instead of going full stream w/ your two biggest investments. If they are worried that a Shields fight can be another borefest, Mousasi is the next easy option. Im positive its going to be either Fedor vs Werdum/Overeem. If Lashley is fighting on this card, he will definite help the need for ratings.
I am. I think. I will. - Ayn Rand
I hear a lot that after Fedor loses once that’s it , his career is over and no one will tune in to watch him fight . “His mystique is over” . I think that’s bullshit . First , if he loses an instant rematch will take place that might even be more interesting than the original . Second – Fedor draws eyeballs not only for his record but because he wasn’t in a boring fight ever , I think .
That’s only a side note , I’m not saying Hendo vs Fedor is a good idea – I think it isn’t . Better fights to be made .
Imagine if Dan was fighting shields instead of mayhem… how many extra viewers do you think the first cbs card with Fedor would have produced? yeah… now his signing bonus and contract doesn’t sound so wise does it.
That was then, this is now. No, Hendo vs Shields would probably not have drawn extra viewers compared to Mayhem vs Shields.
BUT Hendo vs Shields could draw viewers (I for one think most who watched the last card would loooove to see Shields get KTFO) and if Hendo wins, he will draw extras for Hendo vs Mousasi.
"Marcus Davis is a plastic paddy"-Dan Hardy
by BlueberryMuffin on Dec 16, 2009 10:05 AM EST up reply actions
That was then, this is now. No, Hendo vs Shields would probably not have drawn extra viewers compared to Mayhem vs Shields.
BUT Hendo vs Shields could draw viewers (I for one think most who watched the last card would loooove to see Shields get KTFO) and if Hendo wins, he will draw extras for Hendo vs Mousasi.
"Marcus Davis is a plastic paddy"-Dan Hardy
by BlueberryMuffin on Dec 16, 2009 10:05 AM EST reply actions
With the momentum that Strikeforce has, it really surprises me that some MMA fans are already predicting Strikeforce’s demise. Fedor and Henderson on the card is awesome, and with Mousasi/M-1 saying that he only fights on cards with Fedor, hopefully we’ll get to see a Gegard “The Dreamcatcher” Mousasi title defense. I don’t care if Mousasi fights Whitehead or something, I just want to see him fight.
Coker & Co. seem to be letting too many others call too many of their shots:
1) While it’s good always knowing that Fedor = Mousasi too, the fact that M-1 made a stipulation that Mousasi only fights on Fedor cards means if Fedor gets injured? Mousasi is on the shelf. M-1 only seems to have it’s own interests at heart and hinders SF’s ability to market and showcase Mousasi, although Mousasi has to do his part as I was not particularly impressed with his last fight against Sokoudjou
2) I know it’s like beating a dead horse, but Overeem fighting on the Dynamite!! NYE card under MMA rules, where he could potentially get hurt again (either in his actual fight or, say, at a bar) and prevent SF from having him defend, is just ridiculous. Either demand he fight here, or strip him. Stop letting a deadbeat champ shape your HW division.
by LikeTheWhiskey on Dec 16, 2009 12:12 PM EST reply actions
The talk about threatening Overeem always seems silly to me.
It’s probably already happened, but in private talks between Coker and Bas Boon. Dana has made us so used to the airing of private business and making a public spectacle of negotiations. Coker doesn’t say everything that’s on his mind right as he thinks it. He’s more of a standard businessman than the Vince McMahon fight promoter. Not knocking either style inherently, just saying we shouldn’t treat silence from Strikeforce the way we should from UFC. The mean different things.
I completely agree with you here
in the sense that Coker is not a figure who tends to publicize his dealings like other promoters within MMA, in boxing, in WWE, etc. I have no idea what goes on behind closed doors or in meetings between SF & Overeem and his handlers, but put yourself in his position: your HW champ gets injured, postpones events for your company he fights in for a belt he earned 2 years ago. He takes similar fights soon after his injury with other promotions and CONTINUES to fight elsewhere and costs your company money. What would you do?
by LikeTheWhiskey on Dec 16, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
Dan might not be a huge draw but it sure got my attention. Of course with him and Fedor on a card the fighter payouts are going to be rather steep but maybe CBS is chipping in on that.
by who me on Dec 16, 2009 12:56 PM EST via mobile reply actions
They cover a portion of M-1’s fee as a co-promotion. Think of it this way, when Fedor fights on the card, its a co-promoted event between Strikeforce/M-1/(Showtime/CBS).
Now, whether they would cover Henderson’s pay if he fought alone without Fedor or M-1 on CBS, I am not positive, but I have heard that Hendo signed a similar deal to what Fedor has. I know that Clinch Gear will also get a ton of air time, and fighters can be sponsored by them with the benefit of knowing that they are not required to pay that fee the UFC was charging them to sponsor fighters.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 16, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think it would look all that legit if SF signed a guy from the UFC and the UFC guy took 3 of their 4 belts with no one able to challenge him. It would sort of look like a community 3 on 3 tournament where one of the teams have Kobe Bryant.
That said, I’d put money on Mousasi when they fight. That should be his first fight I think.
Although Overeem isn’t a big name, his over developed physique looks like its something out of a comic book. Preposterous physiques speak to the masses so I’d stick him on the card against someone other than Fedor. I would like Strikeforce to succeed so I’d like to see Fedor continue his winning ways and fight Werdum, who despite his considerable ground skills poses very little threat to Fedor on his feet and seems unlikely to be able to control where the fight goes. Overeem on the other hand seems to pose a much more legitimate challenge because he may be able to control where the fight goes and he’s big enough that it hurts when he hits you (or he may simply opt to eat you as meal number 9 that day). I’d like to see him fight Fedor perhaps after Werdum.
What’s Arlovski doing these days (other than resting his glass chin)? Can’t they stick him on one of this card?
What’s Arlovski doing these days (other than resting his glass chin)? Can’t they stick him on one of this card?
That’s the plan.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 16, 2009 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
Any word on Sergei Kharitonov? I think Andrei Arlovski vs. Sergei Kharitonov is the best option, with Sergei being the last person (in MMA) to defeat Alistair Overeem.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
MMA Rankings
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
