Strikeforce Signs Rogers/Fedor

Strikeforce Signs Brett Rogers vs Fedor Emelianenko

Fedor Emelianenko will make his Strikeforce debut in a showdown with undefeated heavyweight Brett Rogers, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker announced on Wednesday during the Russian superstar’s public workout at the Fighthouse Gym in New York City. No date or venue was announced.

Unbeaten in his last 27 fights, Emelianenko (30-1, 1 NC) flattened former UFC champions Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia in his most recent outings. The 32-year-old Russian knocked out Arlovski with one punch 3:14 into their match at Affliction “Day of Reckoning” in January but has not competed since.

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Carano Makes $125,000 for Strikeforce Fight

Gina Carano became the first female competitor to bank six figures on a disclosed U.S. card, according to figures released by the California State Athletic Commission Tuesday.

“The face of women’s MMA” earned $125,000 in her first-round technical knockout loss to Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos last Saturday at Strikeforce in San Jose, Calif. Santos, who was crowned Strikeforce’s women’s lightweight (145 pounds) champion, earned $25,000, which included a $5,000 win bonus.

The event, which drew 13,976 spectators and a $735,710 gate at the HP Pavilion, marked the first time a women’s bout headlined a major event in the U.S.

Newly minted light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi wasn’t as prosperous in his U.S. debut. The 24-year-old Armenian made an uncustomary $2,000 in his swift first-round victory over Renato “Babalu” Sobral, according to the CSAC figures. Sobral earned $75,000 for the loss.

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Carano v Cyborg Live Next Saturday

Why Gina Carano vs. “Cyborg” Santos deserves headline status

Strikeforce’s upcoming Aug. 15 card features four title fights, and some wonder why a bout between female fighters Gina Carano and Cris “Cyborg” Santos is slated for the night’s main event.

Strikeforce will also unify its lightweight titles when lightweight champ Josh Thomson takes on interim title-holder Gilbert Melendez, heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem makes his first title defense in 21 months, and Nick Diaz and Joe Riggs fight for Strikeforce’s first-ever welterweight belt.

So why did Carano vs. Santos get top billing? Because the fans said so.

In our latest MMAjunkie.com.com/”Inside MMA” poll, we asked voters which of the above four title fights most deserves the main-event slot.

And when the results were revealed on this past Friday’s new edition of “Inside MMA” on HDNet, the women took almost half the vote.

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Fedor/Strikeforce Partenership Announced

Fedor Emelianenko and M-1 Global reached a deal this morning to do co-branded shows with Strikeforce, the first of which will be in the fall.

Fedor Emelianenko has signed a multi-fight agreement that will see the world’s No. 1-ranked heavyweight compete for Strikeforce, the promotion announced Monday.

Emelianenko, who became a free agent after Affliction Entertainment canceled its Aug. 1 event two weeks ago, will make his debut on Showtime under a co-promoted Strikeforce/M-1 Global production this fall. Emelianenko was to have faced Josh Barnett at Affliction “Trilogy” on Aug. 1, but Barnett failed a pre-fight test for an anabolic steroid and was refused licensure by the California State Athletic Commission.

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