Weighing In is back to discuss some large questions regarding Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers.

If Brett Rogers defeats Fedor it will spell the doom of Strikeforce on CBS a la EliteXC and Kimbo Slice

E. Spencer Kyte: Short answer: No.

Extended Mix: Fedor is nowhere near the draw in North America that Kimbo Slice was, as horrible as I feel for saying something like that, so expectations, while high, are still tempered somewhat. While everyone hopes this show does exceptionally well and becomes an introduction of Emelianenko into the N/A market, the groundwork has already been laid for rationalizing a poor draw on CBS.

As for the fight itself, as much as an Emelianenko win is what Strikeforce and CBS both want most, a Rogers win could actually be just as great, if not better moving forward, provided they are able to retain his services. Where Fedor is unable and uninterested in being a media figure, Rogers has the star power to have future cards built around him, especially if he becomes "The Fedor Killer" on Saturday night.

He is a much more charismatic and marketable face in North America than Fedor is now and might ever be; where Fedor can't sit down with Letterman, Rogers can and a young heavyweight at 11-0 coming off wins over Andrei Arlovski and Fedor Emelianenko is a major selling point...

Zak Woods: If Fedor loses to Brett Rogers it will be the catalyst of doom for Strikeforce on CBS (not on Showtime). CBS is looking for a cheap alternative sport to grab younger viewers. Without a well established fighter competing in meaningful bouts, CBS will get cold feet and eventually pull the plug.

Strikeforce on CBS will do better ratings than EliteXC CBS

Zak Woods: Nope.

EliteXC rode Kimbo Slice and Gina Carano to break records for the most watched MMA fights in history. The sad fact is Fedor Emelianenko, Brett Rogers, Gegard Mousasi and company have nowhere near the mainstream appeal of Carano and Kimbo.

I mean, Dana Jacobson of ESPN couldn't even say Fedor's last name right and it's her job!

E. Spencer Kyte: Probably not.

As craptacular as EliteXC was for having Kimbo Slice as the headlining act in their circus, there is no denying the drawing power the bearded brawler has. Coupled with Gina Carano and some other decent fights, EliteXC did pretty strong numbers with a portion of that success coming courtesy of casual fans who either wanted to see the hot chick from American Gladiators or that dude from YouTube.

Strikeforce has neither of those things going for them and sadly, that means less people are going to watch, despite the opportunity to see a far superior product.

E. Spencer Kyte: Absolutely.

First off, it's on Spike and it's free, so that's an automatic winner. Second, Randy Couture is on the card and people love Randy Couture. Toss in a couple other solid fights, attention getters like Dan Hardy and Mike Bisping and you've got the makings of a solid score come November 14.

Zak Woods: I am not so sure. 

Strikeforce has the obvious benefit of being on network television as oppose to UFC 105 being on cable. Plus the last two U.K. UFC events ratings weren't that hot. UFC 95 peaked will 3 million viewers and UFC 89 reached 2.6 million viewers. Those numbers are close to what EliteXC: Unfinished Business did on CBS.

While Randy Couture is the big draw of UFC 105 the rest of fight card features U.K. fighters who won't generate big numbers. I don't believe the MMA public will view Brandon Vera as a legitimate opponent for Randy Couture, which will further affect ratings. Remember Couture vs. Nogueira only did 435,000 PPV buys. Now imagine if Vera was asked to help carry a card. Oh wait, that's exactly what's happening.

In the end, I am not sure Randy Couture on tape delay will translate into a guaranteed +5 million viewers.

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers