"EA Sports is the premiere game manufacturing company in the world and I’ve been an EA Sports fan since Madden 1! For them to have Strikeforce in their game as the premiere league, we’re very honored." Scott Coker talking to Sherdog about 'EA Sports MMA'

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My expectation prior to this fight was that Fedor would win and do so devastatingly, but Rogers would turn in an effort that would go a long way towards negating some of the more ardent criticism of his ability:

Luke Thomas: It's borderline irrational to pick Rogers. One would have to make a highly specific, extremely compelling case based on thoroughly vetted evidence to even sniff reasonable territory where a Rogers pick makes sense. But I will say this: I think he'll lose, but earn himself some credibility with hardcores. I do tend to think Rogers is highly durable and packs a serious wallop in his punch. He is limited and that will be his undoing, but the idea that he is some also-ran that Fedor will clean out like Ogawa after he refused to touch the Russian's gloves doesn't ring true with me. It's MMA and either man could go to sleep within seconds, but I find that possibility on either end unlikely. I think Rogers will be overwhelmed, but not before proving he isn't a warm body for Fedor to sacrifice on the altar of keeping his number one ranking. Fedor by TKO, round 2.

Scott Coker also suggested he liked what he saw in the young heavyweight:

"Brett -- I think he surprised a lot of you," said Coker. "I think he was an underdog in this fight, and he came out and I think they had a couple of exchanges. I think the weight was an issue, but Fedor is Fedor and he does what he does."

If Rogers proved anything, it’s that the 28-year-old fighter has more to offer than just a puncher’s chance. To fight Emelianenko, Rogers said he had to make himself believe that.

"I put myself up there. I put myself on the pedestal," said Rogers. "I don’t see myself as a low-class fighter or however you want to see it. I feel I can fight with the best and that I will fight with the best."

In only his 11th career bout, taking on the king of the mountain, Rogers took away a lesson.

"I learned that I just need to trust in my instincts a little bit more," he said. "I definitely saw a lot of openings. I just didn’t take them."

Rogers did hesitate and it cost him, but when he pressed the action he looked dangerous. I particularly point to the moment Rogers was on top of Emelianenko unloading ground and pound. Realizing he had to not give Fedor an inch to breathe or a moment to spare, Rogers put heavy punches together in quick succession that damaged the Russian. The difference in grappling ability ultimately saved Emelianenko as he used the armbar to eventually sweep Rogers, but the Minnesota native never panicked or froze.

And while he did noticeably hesitate on the feet and a little in the clinch, he wasn't overwhelmed. I'd also say he made some effective use of the weight differential against the fence. Ultimately the speed and explosive attack of Emelianenko proved more than Rogers could be prepared for, particularly given his hesitation. But against the greatest heavyweight MMA has ever seen, we can be forgiving of Rogers and grant him more hard work in the gym and further tactical preparation could take him great distances in his career.

Photo via Cage Writer

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Sherdog has the story:

Fedor Emelianenko suffered a broken nose and injured his left hand during his heavyweight bout with Brett Rogers Saturday at Strikeforce/M-1 Global "Fedor vs. Rogers," Sherdog.com has learned from a source close to the fighter's camp.

...

After attending a post-fight press conference, Emelianenko was sent to local hospital. He returned later the same evening with his left arm in a soft cast nearly up to his elbow.

UPDATE: MMA Weekly has a report from Fedor's camp denying that the nose is broken:

Fedor Emelianenko did not sustain a broken nose in his Saturday fight with Brett Rogers, according to a member of his camp.

...

Steven Bash, Emelianenko's translator and American representative, said Sunday that the jab caused a deep cut to his nose, but did not damage it in any other way.

Bash confirmed that Emelianenko injured his left hand and may have dislocated his thumb requiring it to be popped back into place. The Russian heavyweight was later outfitted with a soft cast at a Chicago area hospital.

Photo by Dave Mandel via ESPN.com

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Perhaps the most amazing part about Fedor Emelianenko is that he is just a man.  He's not chiseled out of stone, he has plenty of weaknesses, and he bleeds like the rest of us.  He is mortal. 

Throughout his career, the most famous moments are those in which he looked vulnerable.  When Fujita rocked him.  When Randleman slammed him.  When CroCop landed on him.  When Lindland landed and cut him.  When Arlovski stalked him.  And then tonight, when he was cut early and Rogers was on top landing, I wondered if the magic would really end with Brett Rogers.  It didn't.

Fedor continued his streak of highlight real KO's with an overhand right that would make Chuck Liddell blush.  Rogers immediately melted, along with his chance of making history.  After the fight, Rogers said that if he had another chance he would win.  That's what they all say after losing to Fedor.

While I would love to see Fedor fight Brock Lesnar, there's a small part of me that thinks it should never happen.  For Fedor to lose his streak at the hands of a giant 60 pounds bigger than him seems like an injustice to the greatest fighter in the history of the sport.  I won't complain about seeing Fedor fight for free on CBS against dangerous opponents.

Brett Rogers proved me wrong, and brought more to the table than I expected.  He fought patiently, which was the right tactic.  I expected him to bullrush Fedor and get crushed, but instead he fought a smart fight for the most part. His key mistake was moving away from the jab and failing to continue pressing the fight up against the fence.  Out in the open he was just a slow-moving target and Fedor ate him alive.  I do think he put in a good enough performance to warrant an opportunity for a rematch if he can win 3 or 4 fights in a row.

Who's next for Fedor?  My guess is Fabricio Werdum, which isn't exactly thrilling, but I don't have faith they'll be able to get Overeem back any time soon.  More important for his career are the ratings, which could push his value even higher if they come in strong. 

It was fairly surreal to see an American broadcast network promoting a show around a mysterious Russian.  But by the time the bell rang for the fight, there really was a "big fight" atmosphere, and the fight delivered in spades.  The only question remaining is: how many people saw it?