Now finally, part three of a tangent gone wrong. A fight that although is hampered by a man no one is giving any chance, is none the less, still an intriguing fight for fans and pundits alike. 

The consensus number one heavyweight fighter in the world, Fedor Emelianenko returns to the States for his third consecutive time in his last three bouts to take on this modern day Cinderella Man, Brett Rogers.

Not any other fighter has been able to replicate the legacy that Fedor is still etching with each passing victory. Having been on top of the mountain since first capturing Pride’s heavyweight title in March of 2003—a six year reign that has not been match by any other fighter in our sport today.

Whether he is considered the top pound-for-pound fighter is irrelevant, or whether Dana White chooses to recognize the skills he possesses is null and void as well. What we do know is that the man is virtually unbeaten; save from a stoppage due to a cut in his fifth mixed martial arts fight against UFC veteran Tsuyoshi Khosaka, a fight that Emelianenko would later avenge in brutal fashion. 

Tailor made for the sport, Fedor comes from a strong Sambo/Judo background, which for the uneducated means trouble for anyone. Sambo is a sport originating in Russia, focusing on throws, choke holds, leg locks and in Combat Sambo focuses heavily on striking.

To be proficient in this particular sport would be evidence enough of someone who would be able to transition well into the mixed martial arts world. Not only was Fedor “proficient”, but much like in MMA, he is arguably regarded as the best, having won the Gold medal 4 times in his last 5 appearances in the World Sambo Championships. 

With victories over legends Mirko Cro Cop, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mark Coleman (though I don’t put too much emphasis on these pair of victories) as well as freak-show bouts with gorillas Hong Man Choi and Zuluzinho (please youtube the Zulu fight in particular, you’ll get a kick out of it), could his legacy still be questioned? Though his talent is obvious, “The Last Emperor’s” only weakness appears to be consistency. Though his last two bouts with former UFC champions Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia were impressive at the time, having seen where these men’s career have gone post-Fedor, the victories now seem a little more dim. 

But does this bother Emelianenko? Absolutely not. His cool calm demeanor is something that has had fans and analysts alike scratching their heads for years. No smile. No anger. Just a lifeless expression is the only thing that creeps across the face of this stoic creature, only adding to the perpetual flame that is his mystique. 

Rogers on the other hand could care less about the aura of Fedor. To Brett, he’s just a man that separates him from a life of leisure and assurance. Though he’s had a taste of what the good life could be, since dispatching the aforementioned Andre Arlovski in a matter of 22-seconds earning him the bid to challenge Fedor, he wants it all.

“The Grim” represents a very real threat to anyone with his large size, confidence and sheer power. Relativley untested still in his 10-professional fights in mixed martial arts, having disposed of all of his opponents inside of the first-two rounds.

Initially exploding onto the now defunct EliteXC scene with knockout after knockout, it appeared that Rogers was to be primed for greatness. That is, until the “losers” known as “Shaw” had intervened, ruining the company by piggy backing a street fighter turned mixed martial artist, hoping he would be their messiah. I would say a 14-second knockout pretty much puts the breaks in any plans there. 

After returning to the normal swing of the things, taking up a job with Sam’s Club, a tire affiliated company, Rogers wanted out. Finally when his contract was reinstated with Strikeforce through the efforts of Scott Coker and brass, Brett has finally made it. 

Now able to have the life he wants—home for the family, a means of supporting himself, training 24/7 without interruption of a second job and new sponsors that meet his needs, he won’t be willing to give all that up without a fight.

And it’s fighting and gutting it out that Rogers knows best.

Striking:

This area is a little bit of a tossup. Though neither men have any sort of "Je ne sais quois" in this realm, it is Rogers that has the decided knockout power that could shut the lights off in a matter of one punch. Accuracy however, will go in favor of Emelianenko. Though both men have never been able to grasp the concept of straight punches, it’s Fedor who is the calculated striker and like a snake, waits for his perfect opportunity before attacking. Speed, again would have to go with the newly wedded Emelianenko. Did you see what he did to Tim Sylvia? Enough said. The difference maker will be Brett’s power for sure, but what was interesting in watching Showtimes: 360 spot on the Fedor/Rogers fight was Emelianenko’s camp revisiting the Brett vs. Arlovksi fight. Early on, Brett had began pressuring early, throwing a barrage of approximately 8-punches which inevitably knockout out Andrei. However, only two connected. Expect Fedor to do his Fedor thing, wait for his opportunity to strike and allow Rogers to make mistakes, countering sluggish hooks with quick, crisp ones of his own.

Grappling:

Emelianenko. /thread.

Aggression:

Though Rogers is more aggressive than not, its Fedor’s own patented aggression that will win him the fight. Brett knows nothing but to move forward and make a fight into a brawl. The former Pride heavyweight champion being the calculated fighter that he is, knows when to turn an opponents aggression against him, as well knowing when to explode and exploit and openings a fighter should leave him. Perfect example would be with Arlovski. Though admittedly, Andrei was lighting him up with crisp combinations both body and head, it was Fedor’s patience that was the difference maker and almost like an immediate reflex saw his opening and took it, savagely. As “The Pitbull’s” confidence grew after having peppered Emelianenko, shot after shot, he decided to get a little bit fancy—‘hey, why not a flying knee?’ Answer: Right Hook from Hell Super-fantastic Counter Punch by F.E.

--So in closing, can Rogers win? Yes, yes. MMA is the most unpredictable sport there is. Brett could win…if he wasn’t fighting Fedor. Look kids, as much as I like change and diversity in mma today (i.e. when Anderson Silva dethroned Rich Franklin, GSP to Hughes, Mike Brown and Urijah Faber, etc.) it doesn’t look like Emelianenko is ready to come down from his cloud anytime soon.

Prediction: Fedor—all day, that’s how a Russian eat! Gotta get his bread.

A Fedor after thought:

While not looking past Brett, who could really challenge Emelianenko at this point? A compelling fight with the “enriched” Alistair Overeem is all well for me. A grudge match pitting former friend and team mates Fedor and Sergei Kharatinov is awesome too. But, until Fedor is ready to put aside the toys which are the heavyweights of Strikeforce and trade them in at a shot at the big leaguers in the UFC, we may be subjected to more of the same, until finally Dana is proven correct and Emelianenko will no longer be recognized as the perennial king that he is in just a few years time, after having run a rough shod of the who’s who of heavyweights in the international circuit, which in nil.