When Fabricio Werdum tapped out MMA deity Fedor Emelianenko on June 26th the foundations of the sport shook like it hasn’t in quite some time (other top-quake-contenders: Zuffa buying Pride? Randy Couture ‘retiring’ in 2007? Brock Lesnar being relatively civil after subbing Shane Carwin?) Not only did most people not see it coming, but it raised a ton of questions about Fedor’s immediate future.
Of course, it didn’t take long for both Fedor’s management (M-1) and Werdum himself, to talk about possibly doing an immediate rematch. Strikeforce’s Scott Coker didn’t seem to be too keen on that idea, and to the annoyance of some, talked about the possibility of doing Fedor / Overeem next. Well, according to a report from Super Lutas (thanks to MMA Mania for the translation), Werdum is considering undergoing surgery to repair an injured elbow he’s had for some time, stating “I might just get back next year.”
Next year? Looks like Coker should be able to green light Overeem / Fedor no problem now right? Not so fast. According to an updated report from BloodyElbow.com, the outlet contacted M-1’s Evgeni Kogani, who had this to say when asked about Werdum possibly going on the DL.
“(Werdum’s) gotta do what he’s gotta do. The re-match will be there, pre elbow surgery or post. That’s what the fans want and that’s what they will eventually get.”
When asked a follow up question about Fedor fighting Overeem, Kogani said they’d have to talk to their “partners”, with news on that coming “in a little while.” Soo… more drawn out negotiations to come or?