Since Dan Henderson (27-8) captured the Strikeforce light heavyweight title in early March, fans and media have asked the veteran about a possible fight with Fedor Emelianenko (31-3, 1NC).
Those questions set the wheel in motion, with Strikeforce execs negotiating with both camps to try and book a fight between the two fighters for a possible date in July.
Now it appears that the negotiations between Strikeforce, the Russian’s management M-1 Global, and Henderson has all been worked out, with a date of July 30 set to host the fight between the two former Pride champs.
Reporter Jonathan Snowden posted the news via Twitter (@mmaencyclopedia) on Tuesday afternoon, siting a source close to both fighters and that the event would take place in Chicago. Snowden also reports that the bout will be promoted as a heavyweight matchup, but both men have agreed to a catchweight of 220 lbs for the fight.
– Sources close to both fighters tell me the Fedor Emelianenko and Dan Henderson fight has been finalized for July 30th in Chicago on Showtime
– Sources close to the promotion say the Fedor-Henderson fight will at a catchweight of 220. It will be promoted as a heavyweight bout.
– I was told that it would be promoted as a heavyweight bout but that both fighters would be no more than 220 pounds @JoshGrossESPN
Strikeforce has already visited the Chicago area once before at the Sears Centre in the suburb of Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The event, Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers, marked the promotions first broadcast event on CBS.
Emelianenko has lost his last two bouts, suffering the first two real losses of his career. He was stopped by Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva in their quarterfinal bout of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix last February, and was submitted in the first round by Fabricio Werdum last June.
Henderson has won two straight, and earned the Strikeforce 205 lb title by defeating former champ Rafael Cavalcante in March by third round TKO. “Hendo” earned his way into the title bout by stopping former champ, Renato “Babalu” Sobral, in the first round of their December matchup in St. Louis.