Credit Sherdog, but via ESPN (sports.espn.go.com) as their site pisses off my PC at work less.
Brett Rogers - he of the 22 second Arlovski demolition - will be Fedor's first opponent in Strike force at a date to be confirmed later this year.
I don't give Rogers much of a shot against Fedor, but then that goes for 99% of heavyweights out there. Rogers certainly has the power to trouble him and his knees and take-down defence are under-rated IMO.
I'm surprised Strikeforce were willing to put Rogers' unbeaten record at risk against Fedor at this stage but if he loses it's no disgrace and he'll still be young enough to come back.
As far as I can tell, Brett Rogers is the best non-UFC contender out there now that Barnett has been removed from immediate contention.
I don't give him any significant chance of winning, but it has potential to be a fun fight to watch. Rogers will give it his all, and might have enough standup power to hold his own there. But the inevitable body clich, takedown, and rear naked choke or armbar will end the fight in the first round.
Lloyd: When I met Mary, I got that old fashioned romantic feeling, where I'd do anything to bone her. Harry: That's a special feeling.
Originally posted by samoflangeAs far as I can tell, Brett Rogers is the best non-UFC contender out there now that Barnett has been removed from immediate contention.
Alistair Overeem is the Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion and has a more impressive last year than Rogers; in MMA he dominated Cro-Cop, submitted Mark Hunt and (okay, this one isn't so impressive) Gary Goodridge, and won the title from Paul Buentello in Strikeforce two years ago, and over in K-1 he absolutely destroyed double heavyweight champion and Grand Prix finalist Badr Hari in just two minutes, and then went to a screwjob decision loss against GP winner and one of the absolute greatest ever, Remy Bonjasky. Scott Coker's openly stated that Fedor/Overeem is the marquee fight they want to do and what they had in mind when signing him, but they want to give Fedor a fight or two on TV beforehand. If Rogers pulls the upset and beats Fedor it basically shoots their big heavyweight plan right in the face.
I'm looking forward to this fight, but Rogers definitely seems to have a Fujita chance at best. Dude was getting repeatedly taken down by James Thompson; if Fedor tries to take the fight to the floor, it's going there.
Plus the replay of Vitali Klitschko's destruction of Danny Williams, Saturday night, 9 pm ET/6 pm PT. I don't think Johnson has much for Tarver, as he's not just going to let Johnson beat on him for nine rounds, a la Roy Jones.
Thread rated: 6.43
#
#