WKR Staff Picks Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers

E. Spencer Kyte: It's Fedor. Seriously, if Brett Rogers pulls out this upset, I will be shocked. Not shocked in the "wow, I never saw that coming" sense, but more in a "it's MMA so anyone can lose, but this is Fedor we're talking about" vain. Whatever, it's not going to happen. Fedor via submission Round 1.

Nick Becker: If a technical striker like Arlovski couldn't topple the planet's best fighter, I don't see how a brawler like Rogers can.  Of course, Rogers has the proverbial ‘puncher's chance' but then again so does every other fighter in the world.  Fedor is too intelligent to get into a slugfest with Brett and will look for the quickest opportunity to take this fight to the ground where he'll end it in style.  Fedor by Armbar Round 1.

Zach Krantz: In the past 3 days I have switched this pick three times.  On the podcast I gave Rogers no chance, then I submitted my picks to Zak and chose Rogers to win, and now sanity has kicked in.  While Fedor‘s stand up does leave him open, Rogers has the power to end it, Fedor is new to the cage, and Rogers has the size to bully Fedor,  this really is not a close fight at all.  Fedor has fought big men before, he has a superior advantage on the ground, and can capitalize on Rogers wide open punches.  Yes, Rogers can clip Fedor, but up until the Arlovski fight Rogers was simply a prospect.  That fight lasted only 22 seconds and how much can we learn from that except that he packs a punch (which we already knew).  His best win before that is against the cauliflower ear poster boy James Thompson.  I respect Roger's power and really would love to pick him (as I did at one point), but he is not ready for this fight and I have not seen enough of him to call the upset.  Hopefully, Rogers does not read this, but I'll go Fedor via submission in Round 1. 

Zak Woods: I think Brett Rogers may try to bull rush Fedor in the first seconds of the fight like he did to Andrei Arlovksi. Fedor could land a flush knockout punch, as he did against Arlovksi and Sylvia, but I think a clinch followed by a sweep is more likely. On the ground the fight clearly favors Emelianenko and MMA fans have yet to see what kind of a ground game Rogers posses. I believe Fedor finishes the fight on ground. Fedor via arm bar Round 1. 

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers

Nick Becker: Jake Shields has looked unstoppable as of late and I see that continuing against "Mayhem" Miller.  Shields will be searching for the fight-ending submission as soon as the opening bell sounds and I believe he'll find it early in the second stanza.  Shields via Submission Round 2.

E. Spencer Kyte: Lots of people want to discredit Mayhem's talents; they talk about him being over-hyped, a personality and not a fighter, blah, blah, blah. The bottom line (at least to me anyway) is that Shields has one talent - submitting people - and Mayhem simply doesn't quit. On the feet, Mayhem is better. Stamina-wise, Mayhem is better and he's a true middleweight. Mayhem via Split Decision.

Zach Krantz: Jake Shields vs. Jason Miller:  Shields is the favorite in this fight, but people are giving Miller a lot of credit.  Miller appears to be the bandwagon underdog for the card.  I do not get it.  Miller is definitely durable, tough to finish, and might even enjoy pain, but this is the worst possible match up for him.  He has no tactical advantage over Shields.  Usually the underdog has some advantage or strength he can match against the favorite, but not on Saturday night.  Miller and Shields are very similar fighters except Shields is stronger at all aspects.  Miller's best shot is to tire Shields out and take advantage in the later rounds.  However, I do not think it will last that long as Shields take this via submission in Round 2. 

Zak Woods: One fighter is a Cesar Gracie black belt while other is a host of a reality show on MTV and wears chinchilla coats. I'll take the first one. Shields via submission Round 2. 

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers

Zach Krantz: Gegard Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou: Sokoudjou has leveled off since his instant impact in the sport, similar to his cardio.  While Mousasi has rarely ever had to show cardio it cannot be worse than Sokoudjou's.  This coupled with Gegard being a better fighter Sokoudjou is shit out of luck.  He will come out guns blazing again only to fail and get punished by the light heavyweight champ.  Mousasi wins via TKO end of Round 1.

E. Spencer Kyte: Everyone knows how this one is going to play out: Sokoudjou gasses by the 3 minute mark, Mousasi subs him shortly thereafter. Mousasi via submission Round 1.

Nick Becker: Something tells me this isn't going to end well for Sokoudjou.  Perhaps, it's my expert analysis; more than likely it's just common sense.  There's a chance Sokoudjou could pull the upset, but there's also a chance I could win the Powerball jackpot.  You see where I'm going with this... Mousasi by TKO Round 1.

Zak Woods: Unless Sokoudjou can land a power punch knockout in the first minute (like he did in Pride, twice) this fight is Mousasi's to lose. If Gegard makes it through the first ninety seconds then Sokoudjou will tire and be susceptible to a submission in a later round. Mousasi via submission Round 2.

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers 

Zach Krantz: Fabricio Werdum vs. Antonio Silva: Silva's last time in the U.S. he tested positive for steroids and still did not look great, despite the win.  I am also choosing to ignore Werdum's fight against Dos Santos because while his striking is not outstanding it is definitely better than that.  Silva also does not have a strong takedown defense.  Werdum will use strikes to get close and set up his takedown where Fabricio wins quickly with a first round submission.

E. Spencer Kyte: So long as Silva doesn't catch Werdum with a Junior dos Santos shot to the dome, the 2009 ADCC Submission Champion shows why he won the prestigious event after being down 2-0. Werdum via submission Round 3.

Nick Becker: From where I'm sitting, this is the toughest fight to call on the entire card.  Werdum looks to have shaken off some of his UFC-era doldrums as he returned to form against Mike Pyle in June.  We all know Werdum has an amazing ground game but we also know that he can be KO'd if hit in the right spot by a powerful puncher.  If Antonio Silva shows more of the promise that made him a standout back before his steroid bust then he could put Werdum in serious trouble.  In a back-and-forth fight, Silva takes the win via Split Decision. 

Zak Woods: Werdum is a top grappler and I am loathe to pick Silva who is returning to the U.S. for the first time since testing positive for steroids in 2008. I mean, could  you pick Roger Clemens, Shawne Merriman or any other known steroid user? I think not. Werdum via Unanimous Decision. 

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers

Nick Becker's Bonus Picks

• Just because Jeff Curran has lost his last four fights in a row doesn't mean I'm counting him out of his one.  When you consider that the quality of opposition that Curran has faced in those defeats is a literal murderer's row of lighter-weight competition (Brown, Faber, Mizugazi, Benavidez) those losses don't seem so bad.  I'm also picking Curran because I don't know jack about his opponent (he doesn't even have a Wikipedia page for chrissakes).  Curran via Submission Round 2.
• True story: Mark Miller KO'd Josh Neer in the first round back in 2007.  Yeah, the same Josh Neer who's always getting pissed about dudes taking him down and laying on him and stuff.  That's good enough for me to pick Miller by KO Round 1. 
• Apparently, this Uflacker character has some serious BJJ credentials.  I'm giving him the nod just based on the fact that he's a black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr.  I mean, that's gotta count for something right?  Uflacker by Submission Round 1.
• Kolosci used to be on The Ultimate Fighter.  I used to watch The Ultimate Fighter.  Cool.  Seriously, I have no idea who a lot of these undercard fighters are.  Kolosci via Unanimous Decision.
• Taylor vs. Moore.  Heads vs. Tails.  Tails never fails.  Moore via TKO Round 2.
• This is my sleeper pick for fight of the night. Modafferi and Coenen hooked ‘em up two years ago with Modaferri coming out on top and I believe she'll take the rematch as well.  Plus, Modaferri is a Fightlinker fan -- you can't hate on that.  Modafferi by Unanimous Decision

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Emelianenko vs. Rogers

E. Spencer Kyte's Quick Picks

• Roxanne Modafferi via Unaimous Decision.
• Mark Miller via Split Decision.
• Jeff Curran via Submission Round 2.
• Shamar Bailey via Unanimous Decision
• Louis Taylor via TKO Round 1.
• Christian Uflacker via Unanimous Decision.