STRIKEFORCE WORLD GRAND PRIX-M-1 GLOBAL’S Fedor Emelianenko Joins Elite Heavyweight Tournament

"My next opponent is Overeem. I beat Overeem three years ago. I (will) beat Overeem one more time."




"Overeem (is just) training stand-up, because he won K-1 last month. My goal is on the ground. Overeem be careful on the ground, because I'll (get) the other arm."

 
Odds to win the Strikeforce Heavyweight GP 2011- $100 Limit:


Fedor Emelianenko +170

Alistair Overeem +180

Josh Barnett +350

Andrei Arlovski +950

Fabricio Werdum +1400

Antonio Silva +1800

Sergei Kharitonov +2000

Brett Rogers +2200

Shane del Rosario +3000

Valentijn Overeem +3500

Lavar Johnson +4000

Ray Sefo +4500

Any fighter not listed (Chad Griggs, Gian Villante) +5000

Source: Strikeforce




Strikeforce heavyweight fighter Fabricio "Vai Cavallo" Werdum will make his return to the cage from an injury-induced layoff against Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem in what will be a quarter-final bout in the upcoming Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix.

Werdum is coming off of the biggest win of his life, having toppled MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko over the summer, and already holds a win over the champion (he defeated Overeem in a PRIDE Grand Prix bout in 2006). Considering this and his claim to full health, Werdum believes that he has everything going for him to win the Grand Prix.



"I feel good. I'm excited for the tournament, my second tournament," Werdum said in a Strikeforce promo video. "I like the idea, congratulations Scott [Coker]. I'm preparing in everything, stand up, the ground--I'm one hundred percent in my mind and my body. I will win this tournament."



STRIKEFORCE has assembled eight of the world’s top ranked heavyweights to compete in the STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix – Heavyweight Tournament, a three-stage, single-elimination tournament that will take place over several events in 2011. The first two quarterfinal fights begin on Saturday, Feb. 12, live on SHOWTIME from the IZOD Center in E. Rutherford, N.J. In the main event, the 34-year-old Emelianenko will face the towering Antonio “Big Foot” Silva (15-2) in a STRIKEFORCE and M-1 GLOBAL co-promoted event. Co-featured on Feb. 12, former world champion Andrei Arlovski (15-8) will face Sergei Kharitonov (16-4), the last man to defeat current STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight World Champion Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem.




The other two quarterfinal matchups are as follows: Overeem (34-11, 1 NC) will face the only man to tap out Fedor, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1), while the heavy-handed Brett “The Grim” Rogers (11-2) will meet a hungry Josh Barnett (29-5). The location and date for these quarterfinal tournament fights are to be announced.



“We are thrilled to have come to a long-term agreement with Fedor and M-1 GLOBAL,” said STRIKEFORCE CEO Scott Coker. “To have the greatest MMA fighter of all-time put his legacy on the line in a single-elimination tournament will truly captivate MMA fans worldwide. STRIKEFORCE is home to the best heavyweight division in the world; the athlete who runs the gauntlet in a tournament such as this would have to be considered the best heavyweight fighter in the world.”
CAGE FIGHTER FEDOR MMA WALKOUT WHITE BLAST SHIRT SIZE XX-LARGE


“I’m very pleased to be working with SHOWTIME and STRIKEFORCE and Mr. Coker and Mr. Hershman personally. Thanks to their interest and efforts, we’ve created what will go down in history as MMA’s greatest heavyweight tournament of all time,” said Vadim Finkelchtein, co-founder of M-1 Global. “M-1, STRIKEFORCE and SHOWTIME have built a partnership committed to the future growth of MMA—a sport where organizations represent a working collaborative that enable the best fighters in the world to fight each other. This agreement benefits everyone, especially the fans who’ll see Fedor in action more often.



“With SHOWTIME’s significance in the U.S. and M-1’s development of the European and Asian MMA markets, the cooperation will also deliver a global roster of talented fighters to viewers,” Finkelchtein continued. “During the coming year, we’ll be showcasing spectacular Grand Prix events using the same M-1 Selection tournament format, a series of events generating enthusiastic spectator interest keeping fans glued to their screens.”



“I can’t think of a better way to start 2011 than with this major announcement,” said Ken Hershman, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports®. “Fedor is universally known to sports fans throughout the world and it is an honor to continue our work with M-1 GLOBAL and STRIKEFORCE in presenting this legendary fighter to SHOWTIME subscribers.



“SHOWTIME has enjoyed great success with its two most recent boxing tournaments—the Super Six World Boxing Classic and The Bantamweight Tournament,” Hershman continued. “And now, with the breadth of talent in the STRIKEFORCE heavyweight division, we have the privilege of staging one of the biggest tournaments in the history of this growing sport. With the STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix’s single-elimination format and the biggest names in the sport today, this tournament is something that no sports fan will want to miss.”



“I have been training very hard since my last fight and can’t wait to get back in the cage,” said the 6-foot, 235-pound Emelianenko, who hails from Stary Oskol, Russia and is promoted by M-1 GLOBAL. “STRIKEFORCE has assembled a roster filled with the best heavyweights in the world and, together with M-1 GLOBAL, we have the opportunity to fight the best in a great tournament format.”



Fedor’s unprecedented, record-setting run of 28 professional MMA bouts without a defeat has prompted many MMA enthusiasts to label Fedor as the greatest of all time. Since his career began 10 years ago, Fedor has faced and defeated many rival superstars and champions of this era including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, Andrei Arlovski and Mark “The Hammer” Coleman.



In what ranks among the most watched MMA fights in the United States, Fedor made his live primetime network television debut on Nov. 7, 2009 on CBS, when he defeated unbeaten rising star Brett Rogers in a STRIKEFORCE and M-1 GLOBAL co-promoted event. Despite a difficult first round in which he sustained a deep cut above his eye, Fedor turned the tide early in the second round with one vicious right-hand punch and finished Rogers shortly after.



Then, on June 26, 2010, Fedor suffered a stunning upset at the hands of Werdum, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., in one of the most watched MMA bouts on SHOWTIME. Werdum, who has defeated a host of top rivals including Overeem, Silva and Brandon “The Truth” Vera, trapped Fedor’s arm in a triangle armbar that forced Fedor to tap out at the 1:09 mark of the opening round.

Who will win the Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament?
Fedor Emelianenko
Alistair Overeem
 Fabricio Werdum
Antonio Silva
Brett Rodgers
Josh Barn
Andrei Arlovskiett
Sergei Kharitonov



 

Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery Results

Main Card:


Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship Bout: Alistair Overeem (C) vs. Brett Rogers


Overeem defeated Rogers via KO (strikes) at 3:40 of round 1 to retain the Strikeforce Heavyweight championship.


Heavyweight Bout: Andrei Arlovski vs. Antonio Silva


Silva defeated Arlovski via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).


Middleweight Bout: Ronaldo Souza vs. Joey Villasenor


Souza defeated Villaseñor via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).

Light Heavyweight Bout: Roger Gracie vs. Kevin Randleman


Gracie defeated Randleman via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:10 of round 2.


Light Heavyweight Bout: Antwain Britt vs. Rafael Cavalcante


Cavalcante defeated Britt via KO (punches) at 3:45 of round 1.





Preliminary Card:


Catchweight (172 lbs) bout: Jesse Finney vs. Justin DeMoney


Finney defeated DeMoney via submission (guillotine choke) at 3:22 of round 1.


Lightweight bout: Vitor Riberio vs. Lyle Beerbohm


Beerbohm defeated Ribeiro via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27).


Light Heavyweight bout: Booker DeRousse vs. Darryl Cobb


Cobb defeated DeRousse via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).


Welterweight bout: Mike Chandler vs. Sal Woods


Chandler defeated Woods via submission (rear naked choke) at 0:59 of round 1.


Light Heavyweight bout: Francisco France vs. Lee Brousseau


France defeated Brousseau via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:27 of round 1.


Catchweight (157 lbs) bout: Tom Aaron vs. Erik Steenberg


Aaron defeated Steenberg via submission (guillotine choke) at 0:56 of round 1.


Lightweight bout: Matt Ricehouse vs. Greg Wilson


Ricehouse defeated Wilson via submission (rear naked choke) at 0:45 of round 3.

'Strikeforce St. Louis: Heavy Artillery' & Weign In Video

The heavyweights of "Strikeforce St. Louis: Heavy Artillery" have a lot on their mind.




Co-headliners Alistair Overeem, Brett Rogers, Andrei Arlovski and Antonio Silva are all fighting for a shot at Fedor Emelianenko – despite the fact that Overeem currently owns the belt. All but Overeem are coming off losses.



The champion has his own albatross: he hasn't defended his title in nearly three years.



There's a lot to prove when the heavies square off in a Showtime-televised event tonight at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.



Overeem and Rogers' battle for the Russian



It's rare when competitors think a title fight falls under the category of "next-best option."



Strikeforce heavyweight champion Overeem (32-11, 2-0 SF) has been absent from his U.S. post for nearly three years. Rogers (10-1 MMA, 2-1 SF) has never fought for a major promotion's belt. They dislike each other, at least on camera.



So why are they looking over each other's shoulders Saturday? Fedor. (Who else?)



Rogers has a leg up on the current champion in that he's already given the Russian a run for his money. He came up short this past November and lost to Emelianenko by second-round TKO. But for five minutes, he put the uncrowned champion in trouble. And that's stoked his desire for a rematch.



"I want that rematch with Fedor, and it's definitely going to look a lot better when I get in there and snatch this title and get this second shot," Rogers said.



Overeem claims his path to Emelianenko is obscured by backdoor politics. A long-running squabble between the fighters' managers is the delay to the meeting. He is focused on competing in America, but the fight he wants is out of reach, at least at the moment. In the mean time, Emelianenko is slated to fight Fabricio Werdum next month and enters the Strikeforce/M-1 Global bout as a definitive favorite.



"I know Fedor is like me; he doesn't care who he fights," Overeem said. "It's the management. It takes two to tango."



Whether Saturday night is a title grab or a tune-up fight, do Rogers and Overeem have their eyes on the ball?



Rogers wants to prove his loss to Emelianenko is just a fluke. He says he deserves to fight for the heavyweight belt.



"It's definitely motivation, man," he said. "I'm the type that everything positive or negative is going to make me that much stronger. This is the type of fight that I have wanted for a long time. [The Overeem fight is] not something that I've taken lightly.



"People are just holding the Fedor loss against me. People think I don't deserve it, so I'm feeling a lot of pressure to prove it."



Rogers compared Overeem to Arlovski in the level of technical striking he'll encounter. He solved that problem by storming forward with a blitzkrieg of punches and knocked Arlovski out in 22 seconds.



Overeem, who has four times as many fights as Rogers (including several appearances in K-1), didn't offer much on solving his end of the equation.



"I don't talk about strategy before the fight, so you're just going to have to wait and see what will happen," he said. "I can tell you it's always a surprise with me. I've been training for a long time now – 15 years – and I know a lot of different techniques.



"Let's just say I have some interesting techniques planned for this fight, but you're going to have to wait and see when I come out of the box."



Against Emelianenko, Rogers tried to take away the striking advantage by tying the action up and making use of his weight. In a fight with Overeem, he may do the same in order to set up a takedown and overwhelm the Dutchman with ground and pound.



Overeem, meanwhile, likely will use kicks to keep distance from Rogers and work his powerful knees when the distance is closed. With a few well-timed shots, he could set up a TKO victory by ground and pound as he did with Buentello.



Unless either man lands a big shot early, the fight will rest on whom gets top position on the canvas.



Arlovski and Silva's mind over matter



Heavyweights Arlovski (15-7 MMA, 0-1 SF) and Silva (13-2 MMA, 0-1 SF) have hit hard times and can't afford to let opportunity slip through their fingers.



Arlovski, a former UFC heavyweight champion, has long been considered one of the best in the world. But he's been knocked out twice in his most recent fights – first by Emelianenko and then by Rogers – and faces a career crossroad. At this point, it's about how he comes back from the devastating losses.



The Belarusian is still within spitting distance of a heavyweight title shot. There are but a few heavyweights with his stature in Strikeforce. He still has the tools to be a champion: fast hands, a slick ground game and good conditioning. With a victory over Silva, he could put himself in line for a title shot by early next year.



As Arlovski's trainer, Dino Costeas, earlier told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com), Arlovski has to believe in himself and pull the trigger.



"When I fought Rogers, I didn't stick to my game plan, and I didn't take him seriously," Arlovski said. "Everything happens for a reason, and I'm more disciplined now. I'm definitely going to stick to my game plan. No more putting my hands down like I did against Rogers.



"I just can't lose again. It's very dramatic for me to lose fights, and I want to climb back into the top. It's going to be a very tough and important fight for me."



It's also a referendum on his glass-jaw status with the fans. Silva is literally a giant and doesn't have Arlovski's speed. But what he lacks in speed, he more than makes up for in power. The Brazilian nearly knocked out his most recent opponent, Fabricio Werdum, in the opening moments of their fight this past November at "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers." When Werdum stood at range, he took heavy punches.



Arlovski is in trouble if he can't sidestep Silva's huge mitts.



Silva admits that he had a problem pulling the trigger in his most recent fight. When he had Werdum hurt, he couldn't seal the deal. (He also broke his hand early in the fight.)



It wasn't too long ago that Siva grappled with the California State Athletic Commission over his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs.



"(My most recent fight) was a big lesson for me," Silva said. "I had the opportunity, but I could not do it. Because of my former suspension, it had been awhile since I fought in the States, and I wanted to put on a show. When I got Werdum in trouble, instead of going down with him and keeping with ground and pound when he tried to grab my leg, I stepped back and let him get back up."



He doesn't plan to let Arlovski get away. If he takes the fight down, that's approximately 280 pounds weighing on the Belarusian. If the fight stays up, he'll set up his jab and look for the straight right or uppercut.



If Arlovski's confidence is sound, he'll look to beat Silva to the punch with an overhand right and then follow the action to the mat. If he's feeling safe, look for him to tie up the action and take the fight down as quickly as possible. From there, he'll look to catch an arm or leg in transition.



"I have a feeling this fight will not go to the end," Silva said.



Gracie makes U.S. debut against Randleman



Roger Gracie (2-0 MMA, 0-0 SF) has fought in MMA but twice in four years, but the Gracie name is everlasting.



The 2005 ADCC champion has given little impression that he wants anything other than a ground fight against his opponent, former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman (17-14 MMA, 0-1 SF). He's been in the MMA gym a relatively short amount of time with six weeks of fight-specific training under his belt.



No big deal, he said.



"This fight can go any direction, so I have to be ready for anything," Gracie said. "I think I've trained enough."



Randleman barely made it to Saturday's fight when he picked up a staph infection in Las Vegas while training for the bout. He's had a roller coaster of a career recently due to injuries and has lost his two most recent fights. Like his fellow MMA pioneer Mark Coleman, he's faced questions on his ability to compete in today's game.



"I've cleaned up not only my act but my game," he said. "I've added a lot to the arsenal. I train every aspect of the game. I'm ready to fight Roger Gracie."



But unless Randleman lands one of his wild, swinging bombs (a la his bout with Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic), this bout is sure to be a protracted ground battle. Randleman, the former NCAA wrestling champion, will take the action down and hold position, and Gracie will try to work his magic from the bottom.



"Strikeforce St. Louis: Heavy Artillery" – Scottrade Center in St. Louis (Showtime, 10 p.m. ET/PT)


The full roster of fighters for Strikeforce: Heavy Artilery hit the scales in St. Louis one day before their May 15th event on SHOWTIME. Check out Rafael Feijao, Antwain Britt, Kevin Randleman, Roger Gracie, Joey Villasenor, Jacare Souza, Andrei Arlovski, Antonio Silva, Bigfoot, Alistair Overeem, and Bret Rogers
MAIN CARD

Champ Alistair Overeem vs. Brett Rogers (for heavyweight title)

Andrei Arlovski vs. Antonio Silva

Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza vs. Joey Villasenor

Roger Gracie vs. Kevin Randleman

Antwain Britt vs. Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante

PRELIMINARY CARD (un-aired)

Justin DeMoney vs. Jesse Finney

Lyle Beerbohm vs. Vitor Ribeiro

Darryl Cobb vs. Booker DeRousse

Mike Chandler vs. Sal Woods

Lee Brousseau vs. Fransisco France

Tom Aaron vs. Erik Steenberg

Matt Ricehouse vs. Greg Wilson

MMA World Rankings for 2009 / 2010

The November 2009 Independent World MMA Rankings have been released. These rankings are independent of any single MMA media outlet or sanctioning body, and are published on multiple web sites.
In addition to the numerous MMA web sites that publish the Independent World MMA Rankings, you can also access the rankings at any time by going to http://www.independentworldmmarankings.com/.
Some of the best and most knowledgeable MMA writers from across the MMA media landscape have come together to form one independent voting panel. These voting panel members are, in alphabetical order: Zach Arnold (Fight Opinion); Nicholas Bailey (MMA Ratings); Jared Barnes (Freelance); Jordan Breen (Sherdog); Jim Genia (Full Contact Fighter, MMA Memories, and MMA Journalist Blog); Jesse Holland (MMA Mania); Robert Joyner (Freelance); Todd Martin (CBS Sportsline); Jim Murphy (The Savage Science); Zac Robinson (Sports by the Numbers MMA); Leland Roling (Bloody Elbow); Michael David Smith (AOL Fanhouse); Jonathan Snowden (Heavy.com); Joshua Stein (MMA Opinion); Ivan Trembow (Freelance); and Dave Walsh (Total MMA and Head Kick Legend).
Note: Due to the fact that he has not competed in the welterweight division for over one year and has no plans to do so in the foreseeable future, Jake Shields is no longer eligible to be ranked in the welterweight division. He is, however, eligible to be ranked in the middleweight division.
Note: Due to the fact that he has not competed in the heavyweight division for over one year and has no plans to do so in the foreseeable future, Randy Couture is no longer eligible to be ranked in the heavyweight division. He is, however, eligible to be ranked in the light heavyweight division.
November 2009 Independent World MMA RankingsBallots collected on November 24, 2009
Heavyweight Rankings (206 to 265 lbs.) 1. Fedor Emelianenko (31-1, 1 No Contest)2. Brock Lesnar (4-1)3. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (32-5-1, 1 No Contest)4. Frank Mir (12-4)5. Shane Carwin (11-0)6. Brett Rogers (10-1)7. Alistair Overeem (31-11, 1 No Contest)8. Junior dos Santos (9-1)9. Cain Velasquez (7-0)10. Fabricio Werdum (13-4-1)
Light Heavyweight Rankings (186 to 205 lbs.) 1. Lyoto Machida (16-0)2. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (18-4)3. Rashad Evans (13-1-1)4. Quinton Jackson (30-7)5. Anderson Silva (25-4)6. Gegard Mousasi (27-2-1)7. Forrest Griffin (17-6)8. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (18-3)9. Dan Henderson (25-7)10. Thiago Silva (14-1)
Middleweight Rankings (171 to 185 lbs.) 1. Anderson Silva (25-4)2. Nathan Marquardt (29-8-2)3. Dan Henderson (25-7)4. Vitor Belfort (19-8)5. Demian Maia (11-1)6. Jake Shields (24-4-1)7. Chael Sonnen (24-10-1)8. Yushin Okami (23-5)9. Robbie Lawler (16-5, 1 No Contest)10. Jorge Santiago (21-8)
Welterweight Rankings (156 to 170 lbs.) 1. Georges St. Pierre (19-2)2. Jon Fitch (19-3, 1 No Contest)3. Thiago Alves (16-6)4. Josh Koscheck (14-4)5. Matt Hughes (43-7)6. Dan Hardy (23-6)7. Paulo Thiago (12-1)8. Mike Swick (14-3)9. Carlos Condit (24-5)10. Marius Zaromskis (13-3)
Lightweight Rankings (146 to 155 lbs.) 1. B.J. Penn (14-5-1)2. Shinya Aoki (22-4, 1 No Contest)3. Eddie Alvarez (19-2)4. Kenny Florian (11-4)5. Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2)6. Diego Sanchez (21-2)7. Gray Maynard (8-0, 1 No Contest)8. Frankie Edgar (10-1)9. Joachim Hansen (19-8-1)10. Mizuto Hirota (12-3-1)
Featherweight Rankings (136 to 145 lbs.) 1. Jose Aldo (16-1)2. Mike Brown (22-5)3. Urijah Faber (22-3)4. Hatsu Hioki (20-4-2)5. Bibiano Fernandes (7-2)6. Raphael Assuncao (14-1)7. “Lion” Takeshi Inoue (17-3)8. Wagnney Fabiano (12-2)9. Manny Gamburyan (10-4)10. Michihiro Omigawa (8-8-1)
Bantamweight Rankings (126 to 135 lbs.) 1. Brian Bowles (8-0)2. Miguel Torres (37-2)3. Takeya Mizugaki (12-3-2)4. Masakatsu Ueda (10-0-2)5. Dominick Cruz (14-1)6. Akitoshi Tamura (14-7-2)7. Joseph Benavidez (10-1)8. Damacio Page (12-4)9. Rani Yahya (15-4)10. Will Ribeiro (10-2)
The Independent World MMA Rankings are tabulated on a monthly basis in each of the top seven weight classes of MMA, from heavyweight to bantamweight, with fighters receiving ten points for a first-place vote, nine points for a second-place vote, and so on.
The rankings are based purely on the votes of the members of the voting panel, with nobody’s vote counting more than anybody else’s vote, and no computerized voting.
The voters are instructed to vote primarily based on fighters’ actual accomplishments in the cage/ring (the quality of opposition that they’ve actually beaten), not based on a broad, subjective perception of which fighters would theoretically win fantasy match-ups.
Inactivity: Fighters who have not fought in the past 12 months are not eligible to be ranked, and will regain their eligibility the next time they fight.
Disciplinary Suspensions: Fighters who are currently serving disciplinary suspensions, or who have been denied a license for drug test or disciplinary reasons, are not eligible to be ranked.
Changing Weight Classes: When a fighter announces that he is leaving one weight class in order to fight in another weight class, the fighter is not eligible to be ranked in the new weight class until he has his first fight in the new weight class.
Catch Weight Fights: When fights are contested at weights that are in between the limits of the various weight classes, they are considered to be in the higher weight class. The weight limits for each weight class are listed at the top of the rankings for each weight class.

Fedor Emelianenko KO Knocks out Brett Rogers FIGHT - STRIKEFORCE Nov 7 highlights !

If there's any justice in this world, Saturday's Strikeforce/M1 Global fight night on CBS will shatter the network TV records for MMA ?



He's biggest weapon is his fighting intellect. Sometimes it takes a few knocks & some blood, but he'll always eventually win because he's smarter than any of his opponents. Period. the chances of grounding and pounding re very high in octagon..people who say that theyve never seen fedor having to withstand gnp have to realise that.fedors 1st time in the cage.the guy is a living legend . Thoughts ??

training camps of Fedor and Rogers leading up to their fight this

Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers CBS Card Announced - will this card be a big hit ?

With the promotion's debut on CBS just under a month away, Strikeforce announced Friday the four matchups that will take place on the Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers card at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill.

"We're looking forward to delivering an explosive night of world class MMA action on CBS," Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said in a statement. "We have the world's No. 1 fighter, Fedor, making his network primetime debut against an undefeated powerhouse in Brett Rogers and, with the stars lined up for the remainder of the card, it is bound to be an exciting night of television."

The new bouts added were Fabricio Werdum vs. Antonio Silva and Mousasi's opponent as Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou. The bouts are pending the approval of the Illinois State Commission.

CBS Bouts:

- Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers
- Jake Shields vs. Jason "Mayhem" Miller
- Gegard Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
- Fabricio Werdum vs. Antonio Silva

Preliminary Bouts:

- Erin Toughill vs. Marloes Coenen
- Mark Miller vs. Deray Davis
- Christian Uflacker vs. Jonatas Novaes

"It is an honor to have the opportunity to bring the Strikeforce brand to CBS. We are looking forward to bringing MMA back to the network and to having the world's No. 1 heavyweight — Fedor — compete for the first time on live network television against one of America's most promising young, undefeated stars — Brett Rogers."

"UFC Main Events" special debuts Nov. 7 on Spike TV, counters Strikeforce event

Going head to head with Strikeforce's CBS debut and its headliner between Fedor Emelianenko and Brett Rogers, the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Spike TV debuts its "UFC Main Events: Couture vs. Nogueira" special on Nov. 7.

Spike TV Vice President of Sports and Specials, Brian J. Diamond.

The two-hour special features four major bouts from 2009, including Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 102, that have never previously aired on free television.

The special airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Other bouts featured on the special include Vitor Belfort vs. Rich Franklin from UFC 103, as well as B.J. Penn vs. Kenny Florian and Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin from UFC 101.

"We always get calls from the UFC about some great programming they want us to air all the time," Diamond said. "And we love it. The fans love it."

The special is the latest counter-programming move for the UFC, which often airs fights (both taped and live) to go head to head with a rival organization's offering. Strikeforce is a frequent target, and the now-defunct Affliction Entertainment also dealt with the UFC's counter-programming.

The same night as "UFC Main Event," Strikeforce holds its first-ever CBS-televised event. The show takes place near Chicago at the Sears Center with Emelianenko vs. Rogers, Jason "Mayhem" Miller vs. Jake Shields (for the organization's vacant middleweight title) and two other bouts.

Diamond, though, said this latest offering is just one of many in the works.

"We have some more stuff planned that we'll announce in the next few weeks that will take place by the end of the year," he said.

For the latest on "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers," stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.