In the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum main event, two old era heavyweights who still have the mettle to compete in the new era of mixed martial arts will go toe-to-toe in a very intriguing stylistic match-up. As the event's name reveals, the last PRIDE heavyweight champion and one of the all-time greatest heavyweights the sport has ever produced in Fedor Emelianenko (32-1-0-1, 1-0 SF) will battle ADCC grappling champion Fabricio Werdum (13-4-1, 2-0 SF) in a showdown that ultimately leads the victor to a collision course with behemoth Dutch wrecker Alistair Overeem.
Fedor's invincible aura has met some resistance in recent bouts, but he's also managed to become quite the spectacular finisher with age. His most recent victory over Brett Rogers saw him succumb to Rogers' strength and size at one moment during the fight, putting him on the end of some brutal ground and pound punching. But history revealed itself once again as Fedor's perseverance pushed him through the adversity.
Fedor landed his fair share of damaging blows to Rogers throughout the fight, but the devastating shot that Fedor landed in the second round that downed Rogers was absolutely mesmerizing to watch. While Fedor isn't known historically for knocking out opponents cold, he has always had the power to stun his victims and transition to the submission quickly to take advantage. As of late however, he hasn't needed those extra seconds.
Andrei Arlovski found some success against Fedor by using speed and solid footwork, but the dangerous power of Fedor needed only a split second to land a booming overhand after Arlovski mistakenly thought he could finish the Russian off with a flying knee in the ropes. Arlovski was out before he hit the canvas. Six months before that, Fedor mauled Tim Sylvia in 0:36 seconds. Impressed? Some fans haven't been.
It's tough to argue that Fedor is losing his step, but there are some signs that he is possibly entering an era of heavyweights that may be far too strong and big for him. Fedor, a fighter who generally weighs in around 230 pounds, has a disadvantage against a fighter as big as Brett Rogers, but as Royce Gracie proved long ago -- technique can defeat size and strength. That motto has been an integral part of Fedor's game.
Fabricio Werdum brings a very dangerous background to this fight in which Fedor's technique, at least on the floor, is trumped by Werdum's credentials as a high-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who has won multiple ADCC championships. Fedor hasn't faced such an elite grappler since PRIDE Shockwave 2004 when he faced Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and there is a question as to whether Fedor's ground game will be as sharp as it should be due to the lack of grappling opposition.