MMA fans who started the UFC revolution post "Ultimate Fighter" season 1 won't remember Fedor Emelianenko. They won't remember a cyborg of a man, who despite his many shots taken to the face and no matter how many times he was driven on his head, never went out. They won't remember his armbars to fighters like Mark Coleman, his dominance of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu against Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera or his ability to switch the fight around following a suplex on his head courtesy of Kevin Randleman.
No, they will remember Fedor Emelianenko, who despite his desire to fight the top fighters of his sport, was handcuffed by mismanagment, greed and excuses. They will remember a man who lost 3 of his last 4 fights, with his most recent win coming 2 years ago against a man who's better remembered for his recent domestic troubles (Brett Rogers).
Dan Henderson made sure of that Saturday Night. And in doing so, sent the legend of the Mixed Martial Arts "roped ring" era into sure retirement.
In a packed Sears Centre in Chicago, Henderson fought Emelianenko in the main event of the Strikeforce card airing live on Showtime. After a feverish start in which both fighters land heavy punches, Henderson managed to get the better of an exchange, gaining the advantage in the clinch and appearing to poke "The Last Emperor"s right eye with an inadvertent eye poke. Despite that, the clinch produced a stalemate, with Referee Herb Dean separating the 2 and putting them centre of the cage. From there, after a feverish flurry that sent Henderson to the floor, Fedor appeared to be finishing off the American and regaining his lost luster. However, the man known as Hendo was playing possum, coming up from behind with a wrestling scramble and dropping a right hand that left Emelianenko buckled and clearly out. After 2 mop up punches, Herb Dean put an end to the fight at 4:12 of round 1.
Next For Henderson : He's the Strikeforce 205 lb. kingpin without a contract. For some reason, I see Dana White saying "Abra Cadabra" and making that title go away. If he decides to come back, throw him the winner of Roger Gracie and Mohammed "King Mo" Lawal.
Next for Fedor : Sure retirement. Maybe owning "Emelianenko's Family Garage" in Stary Oskol doesn't sound so bad. Or finding the "Next Fedor" project for M-1 Global, being co-owner after all.
In the co-main event, we got Miesha Tate taking on Dutch grappling and Jiu-Jitsu ace Marloes Coenen. The first round saw great action as the 2 females scrambled off, Tate getting the dominant positions from on top and using her wrestling to stay there. The second round saw Coenen reverse Tate's dominant position and use her grappling to take control, trying to gain several submissions and mid to late in the 2nd round. A desperate attempt by Coenen to get Tate's back allowed the American to slip out and survive the round. The third round saw Tate dominate with an early takedown, though Coenen landed more power punches and was able to do more taking the round. After another successful takedown to start the first of the "Championship rounds", Tate got her chance. After gaining a full mount, Tate switched into full side control and trapped Coenen's arm. Getting the advantage, Tate seized in an arm triangle, Making "The Golden Girl from Golden Glory" tap for just the first time in his career, with Tate now owning the Strikeforce Women's World Welterweight title (say that 5 times fast).
Next for Tate : A rematch with Canadian Sarah Kaufmann, who's demeanour and attitude have earned her the nickname "The Hound" in my circles.
Next for Coenen : I wouldn't mind seeing her in a rematch with Liz Carmouche. Wow, DW wasn't kidding : The state of Women's MMA is really really diluted.
Honorable Mention : Paul Daley and Tyrone Woodley was my pick for fight of the night, and it did not disappoint. Woodley, a graduate of the "Strikeforce Challengers" series on Showtime, used his wrestling and iron will, along with Daley's knowledge (or lack thereof) of the ground game to secure a unanimous decision win. The Robbie Lawler-Tim Kennedy fight got off with an early scramble, action galore cultimating in a bloody nose by the former American Soldier, who used the wrestling to ease to victory. Also, Strikeforce commentator's have got to go. I'm sorry, Frank Shamrock and Mauro Ranallo have probably more MMA knowledge in their pinky than i do my whole body, but they just lack pure chemistry. It doesn't help they add Gus Johnson into the mix, however. One of the comments during the Lawler-Kennedy fight was made by Shamrock, saying that while Lawler was down on the scorecards he was probably "winning the battle". My friends and I didn't understand what the heck he was talking about either. Fedor, who's career is now tarnished by greedy promoters, making an excuse saying he thought his fight with Henderson was prematurely stopped. As a longtime fan of "The Last Emperor", this is not typical. This is him making excuses, which is something he clearly does not do. Frustration comes with the inability to do things you used to be able to do seemingly easy. Just 2 years ago, what Emelianenko did seemingly easy was win.
I went 1 for 2 for my picks, which brings me to 33-21-2 for the year.
Until next time, fight fans!
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