According to MMA Weekly, the pending super-fight between “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko versus “Hollywood” Dan Henderson is almost a done deal.Sources close to Emelianenko’s management at M-1 Global have stated that this epic matchup will take pl…
According to MMA Weekly, the pending super-fight between “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko versus “Hollywood” Dan Henderson is almost a done deal.
Sources close to Emelianenko’s management at M-1 Global have stated that this epic matchup will take place on July 30th at the Hoffman Estates in Illinois.
With final negotiations still on the table, a catch-weight of 220 pounds for the two mixed martial arts veterans seems to be in place.
Bringing his prolific 31-3 overall MMA record to the cage, Emelianenko will be looking to bounce back from his only two defeats inside the Octagon.
Across the cage, Dan Henderson sports an amazing 27-8 MMA record and currently wears the Strikeforce light heavyweight championship crown.
Due to the catch-weight of 220 pounds, Henderson’s title will not be awarded to the victor.
Additionally, this fight will be co-promoted by M-1 Global and Strikeforce and therefore will air on Showtime, possibly on pay-per-view, however.
With details still needing to be ironed out, the fight itself seems to be imminent.
An additional note, this fight between two of ultimate fighting’s best ever will be the last contracted fight for Dan Henderson within Strikeforce.
He will technically be a free agent at the conclusion of his battle with Emelianenko.
With a tumultuous relationship with Dana White ever-present, it is not a guarantee that Henderson will be signed to the UFC roster at the conclusion of this fight.
One final mention, Vegas odds-makers have awarded Fedor Emelianenko a slight favorite (-280) over Dan Henderson (+210).
Regardless of the promotion or the future of either fighter, this clash of hall-of-fame fighters should be memorable for years to come.
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is one of the best light heavyweight fighters in the history of the sport; easily in the top 5.Rampage once said he wants to be the highest-paid fighter that the sport had ever seen. It is no secret that he is very much a priz…
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is one of the best light heavyweight fighters in the history of the sport; easily in the top 5.
Rampage once said he wants to be the highest-paid fighter that the sport had ever seen. It is no secret that he is very much a prize fighter, in it for the paycheck.
Now that he has accomplished so much, as a former champion and still a leading Pay Per View draw, fans hope that his motivation does not wane in the face of his upcoming opponent at UFC 130, Matt Hamill.
Hamill is hungry and motivated and has a style very similar to Jackson’s which should result in an explosive bout.
Although Rampage is the favorite heading into the bout, this is not going to be an easy fight for him.
If he wins, will it be one of his top 10 best victories of all time? If it is convincing enough, it certainly could be.
The Chicagoland area hosts Strikeforce on Showtime July 30 as Fedor Emelianenko attempts to put the first back-to-back losses of his career behind him with a win over Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Dan Henderson in a heavyweight main event attr…
The Chicagoland area hosts Strikeforce on Showtime July 30 as Fedor Emelianenko attempts to put the first back-to-back losses of his career behind him with a win over Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Dan Henderson in a heavyweight main event attraction. No gold will be up for grabs, but few, if any, mixed martial arts bouts have ever occurred with such legacy on the line. Here are five reasons this summer showdown stands to be fight of the year.
1) All-Time Greats
Fedor Emelianenko and Dan Henderson are Sports Illustrated No. 1 and No. 4 pound-for-pound fighters of the last decade respectively.
Henderson is currently wearing a belt. Emelianenko, who achieved his status in the sport by going virtually undefeated for the decade, has dropped back-to-back fights for the first time in his career. The defeats have diminished the invincible aura surrounding the stoic Russian yet the 34-year-old has room to bounce back—a courtesy typically extended to fighters that Emelianenko hasn’t received because his controversial career reached such mythic proportions running its course entirely outside the Octagon. “The Last Emperor” is still capable of doing what kept him strictly the win column for a decade and Henderson is a perfect opponent to demonstrate that—win or lose.
Only a handful of fighters can rival the names, accolades and abilities possessed by Emelianenko and Henderson. Outside of UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva meeting Emelianenko, this is the greatest pound-for-pound contest available in MMA today.
2) Open-Weight Nostalgia
Fedor Emelianenko reigned over PRIDE as the heavyweight champion until its end, while Dan Henderson held the 183-pound title before closing out his PRIDE career by dethroning 205-pound titleholder Wanderlei Silva in the Japanese organization’s penultimate event. Open-weight grand prix tournaments were a staple of PRIDE, and had the organization continued business as usual, it’s not out of the question the Russian and American champions would have stood across from one another in the ring.
The sport’s changing landscape has placed limitations on the ways to subvert weight classes. A fighter like Henderson though will always find a way to implement his anytime, anywhere mindset. In accepting a bout with the most decorated heavyweight in MMA history, the Team Quest founder can as a natural middleweight, pull off a colossal feat. The fact that “Dangerous” Dan Henderson has been successful at heavyweight before or that his power is enough to stop a massive Rafael Cavalcante cold won’t be considered for Emelianenko if he drops his third consecutive contest.
Open-weight means high stakes.
3) Strikeforce’s Best Fight of All-Time
Strikeforce has featured excellent fights of over the years, but none as significant or compelling as Fedor Emelianenko versus Dan Henderson.
Emelianenko’s defeats to Fabricio Werdum and Antonio Silva were anti-climatic considering the depth of his accomplishments. That was largely due to undersold opponents, something Dan Henderson can never be. Both combatants came to Strikeforce as high-profile free agent signings, only to be met with an immediate issue of worthy competition. Against each other, they have a stern test and a paramount fight in their revered careers.
4) Excellent Style Match Up
Dan Henderson’s Olympic-level wrestling can be stifling, but it’s usually employed to set up the “H-Bomb” right hand. The in-and-out, looping punches of a heavyweight opponent six-years younger may cause trouble for the former Arizona State Sun Devil’s straight-forward, one-punch style, but Henderson’s ring generalship and resilience will push him to be the first man to knock out Emelianenko.
A sambo master, Emelianenko has a strong base that applies his explosive hip movement into all facets of MMA: striking, clinching and grappling. Seeking out stand-up coaching in Holland, he appears refocused on training and winning after back-to-back losses diminished the negotiating powers his team loves to exercise. Being an undersized heavyweight—what plagued his last performance—won’t be an issue as Henderson moves up for the challenge.
5) Free Agency
This is the last fight on Dan Henderson’s current contract. With potential big money fights against UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and a rematch with UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva in the back of his mind, the 40-year-old knows when to step it up (see his knockout of Michael Bisping for his last contract fight). Defeating Emelianenko would raise Henderson’s stock to the heights it reached as a two-division belt holder in 2007 after blasting Wanderlei Silva, if not surpass it.
Emelianenko needs to be impressive and competitive for his longevity, for his negotiating leverage and for his legacy. Like he said after submitting to Werdum, it’s how a champion stands back up after falling. This is his (second) chance.
There are no Strikeforce-like alternative organizations for Henderson or Emelianeko in MMA anymore, so undeniable performances are integral if they want to arrive in the UFC in style and/or ride out of Strikeforce on a high note.
Danny Acosta is the lead writer at FIGHT! Magazine. Follow him on twitter.com/acostaislegend
Filed under: Strikeforce, M-1 Global, NewsA July 30 matchup pitting MMA legends Dan Henderson and Fedor Emelianenko is close to final and may be announced within 24-72 hours, sources with knowledge of situation told MMA Fighting.
A July 30 matchup pitting MMA legends Dan Henderson and Fedor Emelianenko is close to final and may be announced within 24-72 hours, sources with knowledge of situation told MMA Fighting.
On Tuesday, SBNation.com reported that the fight is finalized, but though it’s close, sources tell MMA Fighting that a few outstanding details remain, and bout agreements have yet to be signed.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker declined comment on the situation.
It seems that negotiations appear to be resolved, as a non-title superfight between Fedor Emelianenko and Dan Henderson looks to be scheduled for an upcoming Strikeforce event later this year. According to MMAjunkie.com, the superfight between the…
It seems that negotiations appear to be resolved, as a non-title superfight between Fedor Emelianenko and Dan Henderson looks to be scheduled for an upcoming Strikeforce event later this year.
According to MMAjunkie.com, the superfight between the two former Pride FC stars, is expected to be contested at heavyweight and is planned for July 30th, likely to serve as the headliner and to be held on pay-per-view.
The website also reports that both Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker and UFC executive Lorenzo Fertitta are looking to secure the potential bout. UFC president, Dana White said he won’t get involved.
“Lorenzo’s working on it,” White said during last week’s UFC 129 pre-fight press conference.
“Me getting anywhere near that thing? You’ll never see that fight.”
Emelianenko will look to rebound with a win over Henderson, as the Russian has suffered back-to back losses for the first time in his career. Meanwhile, Dan Henderson is only a month removed from capturing Strikeforce light heavyweight gold after earning a knockout victory over former champion, Rafael ‘Feijao” Cavalcante at Strikefore: Feijao vs. Henderson.
A location for the bout has not been confirmed, although reports have suggested the Sears Centre in Chicago is a possible destination.
After Zuffa purchased Strikeforce during its most recent game of MMA Monopoly (it was right beside the WFA, two spots before Free Parking), one of the more discussed topics was what would go down with Fedor Emelianenko and M-1 Global. If you’re new to the sport, then you might not know that UFC boss man […]
After Zuffa purchased Strikeforce during its most recent game of MMA Monopoly (it was right beside the WFA, two spots before Free Parking), one of the more discussed topics was what would go down with Fedor Emelianenko and M-1 Global. If you’re new to the sport, then you might not know that UFC boss man Dana White and the Russian star’s management aren’t exactly bestest buddies .
Of course, Fedor hasn’t exactly been bolstering his bargaining position by losing back-to-back fights to Fabricio Werdum and Antonio Silva, but despite his recent setbacks, people are still keen to see him tussle. For example, when reports surfaced stating Strikeforce was trying to put together a fight between Dan Henderson and Fedor, we, like many others, were pretty damn happy. Well, the good news is that Zuffa apparently is going to do their part to git r done as well. White reported this week at the UFC 129 pre-fight festivities (thanks to MMA Junkie for the quote) :
“Lorenzo’s working on it,” White said Thursday. “Me getting anywhere near that thing? You’ll never see that fight.”… “I’ve been out of it,” White added. “Me involved in that situation would only make matters worse. The great thing about this company and the way we do things – there’s a lot of people I butt heads with. Lorenzo can handle it, and then I can handle stuff. (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva handles stuff.”
Yes, feel free to wipe your forehead, as it’s looking more and more like this bout will happen. Speaking of UFC 129, to bet on any of the fights head here.
According to MMA Weekly, the pending super-fight between “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko versus “Hollywood” Dan Henderson is almost a done deal.
A July 30 matchup pitting MMA legends Dan Henderson and Fedor Emelianenko is close to final and may be announced within 24-72 hours, sources with knowledge of situation told MMA Fighting.