Henderson had "a few conversations" about employment status over Strikeforce weekend
(fightersonlymagazine.co.uk)Dan Henderson admits that there were “a few conversations about my employment status” while he was in town to corner Thierry Sokoudjou at the weekend’s Strikeforce event. “We might figure out a deal we might not, we’re still just waiting to see,” he said.
The comments were made during an interview with MMA Fanhouse reported Ariel Helwani, who asked Henderson what he thought of UFC president Dana White saying he was “1,000 percent” positive that Henderson had signed with Strikeforce.
“I can tell you that possibly Dana is misinformed sometimes and he is possibly a thousand percent misinformed,” Henderson laughed. “Anything’s possible right now, I am just hoping to get out there and fight again and get paid what I would like to get paid. I am not asking to be the top paid guy out there.”
Brett Rogers' trainer wants shot at Overeem
(mmaweekly.com)Mike Reilly is proud of the way Brett Rogers fought Saturday, even if he came up short.
Rogers took a hard right hand to the chin from Fedor Emelianenko in the second round of their Strikeforce headliner on CBS and was unable to recover.
Mousasi's stock rising; welcomes fight with Hendo
(mmaweekly.com)Heading into Strikeforce on Saturday night, light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi was a huge favorite against former UFC fighter Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, but the fight had some great back and forth moments that challenged the 205-pound titleholder.
In the end, Mousasi was able to get the upper hand and finish off Sokoudjou in the second round. Following the fight, the champion remarked that he knew his opponent was tough and no one should have underrated him going into the bout. That said, Mousasi, who is now on the radar as one of the top fighters on the planet, misses the role of playing the underdog. A position he occupied just a couple of years ago before some huge wins burst him into spot he sits in today.
Preliminary CBS ratings for Strikeforce: "Fedor vs. Rogers" averages 3.79 million viewers
(mmamania.com)The preliminary ratings for the CBS broadcast of Strikeforce: “Fedor vs. Rogers” returned an estimated 3.79 million viewers for the prime time mixed martial arts event.
The 1.7 rating share for “Saturday Night Fights” was enough to reach number one in several key demographics; however, it did fall short of the high water mark set by YouTube sensation-turned Ultimate Fighter Kimbo Slice, who reached as high as 4.8 million viewers and 3.0 rating share on Elite XC: “Prime Time” back in May 2008.
Fabricio Werdum: "It's my turn to fight Fedor"
(mmamania.com)“It’s my turn now. I have a lot of respect for Fedor. He is the best in the world. I already fought (Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion) Alistair Overeem in Japan. It’s my turn to fight Fedor. I believe in my techniques and if it goes to the ground, I believe in my jiu-jitsu.”
–Strikeforce heavyweight contender Fabricio Werdum, who has a 2006 submission win over current Strikeforce division champion Alistair Overeem, believes his Nov. 7 win over Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva earned him the right to face Fedor Emelianenko in his next bout.
What Happened To Mark Miller vs. Deray Davis?
(bloodyelbow.com)After the post-Fedor madness cleared from the cage we were told to get upstairs for the press conference and it was clear that the Miller/Davis fight wasn't taking place. I tried to ask the few executives I saw walking around for the story and no one seemed to know.
Mark Miller vs Deray Davis was canceled by fight organizers due to lack of time. A real un-cool decision. Both fighters prepared for this evening and were told with no advance noticed what-so-ever. At the moment they would be walking out on the floor for their match, Miller and Davis were informed that they were canceled! Fighters stood stand-by in shock trying to understand how this became their evening's destiny.
Strikeforce's Antonio Silva has no ill will toward judges' decision
(mmajunkie.com)HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – When the final decision was read – Fabricio Werdum earned a unanimous decision win over fellow heavyweight Antonio Silva by winning two rounds to one – the crowd at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill., reacted with a mix of boos and cheers.
Some felt the 29-28 scores were justified. Others booed the decision and felt Silva, who kicked off the night's CBS broadcast with a dominant first round, earned the win.
But one person you won't hear complaining about the decision is Silva.
Le vs. Smith official for "Strikeforce: Evolution" on Dec. 19
(mmajunkie.com)A potential middleweight slugfest first reported by MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) is now official, as Strikeforce announced former 185-pound champion Cung Le (6-0) meets fellow striking enthusiast Scott Smith (16-6).
Le and Smith will headline the recently announced Dec. 19 event, "Strikeforce: Evolution" at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Tickets for the Showtime-broadcast event, which will go head-to-head with Zuffa, LLC's "WEC 45: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff," go on sale next week.
Strikeforce CEO: Emelianenko vs. Werdum matchup "makes a lot of sense"
(mmajunkie.com)After Emelianenko dispatched of Rogers via second-round knockout and Werdum edged Silva via decision, Coker was again asked if that was still the plan.
The Strikeforce boss said some discussions will first need to take place, but he admitted the matchup "makes a lot of sense."
Coker discussed the possible bout in the night's post-fight press conference.
However, someone beat him to the topic and was already campaigning for the matchup.
Jake Shields: Cung Le would rather vacate the title than fight me for it
(mmamania.com)“Cung Le doesn’t want to fight me. That’s why he vacated the title only to come back a month later and fight again. You’ll have to ask Cung why he won’t fight me.”
Newly crowned Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shields takes at shot at Cung Le during the “Fedor vs. Rogers” post fight press conference on Nov. 7 from the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
Strikeforce Introduces Shinya Aoki, Could Soon Fight For SF
(mmajunkie.com)A surprise guest was in attendance at Friday's Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers Weigh-ins: DREAM & WAMMA Lightweight Champion Shinya Aoki. The Japanese fighter said he's attending tonight's CBS-televised event and hopes to soon fight for the promotion (presumably sans the pants). With the help of a translator, Aoki told Friday's crowd that he looked forward to the event and hoped he could soon make his promotional debut for Strikeforce. SF CEO Scott Coker said he hopes that could happen by early 2010.
WAMMA Sanctions Fedor-Rogers Fight, To Unveil New Title Belt
(mmamania.com)Well, it turns out WAMMA isn't dead like we thought it might be. In a press release Thursday, The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA), announced it will sanction the STRIKEFORCE and M-1 Global fight between undisputed WAMMA reigning heavyweight champion Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko and undefeated challenger, Brett “The Grim” Rogers, which will air live on CBS tonight In addition to sanctioning the main event, WAMMA will also be unveiling a new design for the championship belt, and a new logo, which will be featured on the fight surface during the live telecast.
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Cung Le Likely To Return To SF Next Month
(mmajunkie.com)Despite vacating the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship and several pending movie roles, it appears Cung Le will return to MMA much sooner than expected. According to sources close to the 12/19 SF event, Le will return next month and face Scott Smith.
For Brett Rogers,It's All About Respect
(mmaweekly.com)Brett Rogers has had his mind set to Fedor Emelianenko from Affliction’s final moments to Strikeforce’s biggest moment.
The two will clash under the CBS eye Saturday night for a possible sold-out house at the Sears Centre Arena in suburban Chicago. It’s the fourth time in mixed martial arts’ short history that the sport will be seen on over-the-air network TV.
Rogers, 28, is only three years into a professional mixed martial arts career and six months into life as a full-time fighter. He’s faced only one Top 10 fighter, though he's undefeated at 10-0. It’s an easy drawback for handicappers (Rogers is +375 to Emelianenko’s -550).
Strikeforce Mini Heavyweight Tournament Kicks Off 11/7 For Shot At Overeem
(mmamania.com)While they wait for Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem to return in spring of next year, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker recently revealed that tomorrow's Heavyweight fights are actually part of a mini-tournament to determine who gets Overeem when he returns. Coker hints at possibly a fight between the Antonio Silva-Fabricio Werdum and Fedor-Brett Rogers winners to see who will get the first title shot.
Strikeforce signs ‘Relentless’ Roger Bowling for 2010 debut
(mmamania.com)
Indiana ( USA ): “Relentless” Roger Bowling, the undefeated MMA Big Show Welterweight kingpin, has signed a contract with San Jose-based StrikeForce, one of the top MMA promotions in America . The signing took place during intermission at the “Full Force” event on Saturday, Oct. 24th.
Bowling, who has yet to go to a decision or even see the 2nd round in his career, is considered by many to be one of the top welterweight prospects in MMA. Known for his cardio, brutal strikes, and excellent wrestling, he is expected to make his StrikeForce debut in February or March 2010. He holds quality wins over former IFL fighter Seth Baczynski and current StrikeForce fighter Shamar Bailey, and his last fight was a victory over Devon Plaisance via TKO at Big Show’s “Unstoppable” event in July.