Lingering Questions after Strikeforce's Big News Day
by Zak Woods on Mar 2, 2010 11:06 AM EST
Email
Print
Monday night was one of those rare moments in the MMA when you are inundated with reports, news, gossip and rumor at a pace that is the equivalent to a torrential downpour of a monsoon. Those are the moments that make this whole blogging gig worthwhile though we are soaked to the bone afterwards. With any information overload there are lingering questions that are often glossed over or forgotten during the volatile situation.
Here is WKR's attempt to answer some of those questions:
Does this mean Fedor vs. Werdum will be in May?
M-1 said so, but I am not sure how many people take them at their word...
It's B.S. that Overeem vs. Rogers is a non-title fight!
On the surface this statement makes sense until you consider what would've happened if it was for a title fight. Fans would've cried foul play if Rogers would be fighting for a title after losing to Fedor.
Note: Championship fights usually warrant automatic testing. Take what you will from that...Update: the Missouri Athletic Commission told me that there is no requirement for automatic testing in a title fight.
That's why Fedor should be fighting Overeem!
WKR won't argue with that statement other than to point out two facts. Strikeforce was actively trying to set up the Rogers-Overeem fight since the summer of 2009 and now they have finally delivered on it. Second, Fedor's camp wants pre-fight PED testing, which seems perfectly reasonable to us...
But if 'roids were the case then why did M-1 say that their interested in fighting Josh Barnett!
Most people are citing this quote as evidence of hypocrisy or "ducking" of Overeem.
We are more interested in fighting Josh Barnett, who is currently disqualified until September.
Yet they are overlooking the next sentence.
When he returns from his suspension and if he tests clean, we might consider fighting him.
That fits in line with M-1's previous statements.
Fedor is avoiding a Strikeforce title fight in order to avoid Strikeforce's Championship clause!
This would certainly explain why Strikeforce didn't strip Overeem of the title last year and make Fedor vs. Rogers for the title. But WKR will ask this: why does that matter?
Certain fans love to dump on Strikeforce as being an inferior brand (see their merchandise sales) and if that is the case then it is perfectly reasonable for Fedor/M-1 to think that a Strikeforce title is meaningless to their status as the #1 ranked heavyweight.
In other words, if you think the brand is garbage then why are you demanding that Fedor needs to put a garbage belt around his waste? It's irrelevant as long as he fights the best competition available...
But Fedor isn't fighting the best competition available!
Yes and no. Sylvia, Arlovski and Rogers were all legitimate opponents at the time (WKR knows it is hard to forget Ray Mercer). Overeem (ranked #9), Werdum (ranked #10) and Barnett (ranked #12) represent the best available talent for Fedor to fight (he already defeated Rogers who is currently ranked at #8). There isn't a lot of separation between those fighters so as long as he is fighting one of them and not Hong Man Choi or Jose Canseco we should be happy, no?
In an ideal world he would be fighting Brock Lesnar, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos or Shane Carwin.
Fedor/M-1 are using this as leverage to force Strikeforce into giving them more money!
WKR has said this before, "if we are going to be a capitalist country then we can't raise hell when someone acts in their own interest".
However, we would counter our own point by saying that while this strategy might have short term benefits it appears to be wrought with long term risk, i.e., the long term viability of Strikeforce as a place for Fedor to compete.
This is why co-promotion sucks!
WKR doesn't believe that co-promotion is the best thing for MMA (a fractured MMA landscape is our greatest fear) but M-1 and Strikeforce aren't really involved in a classic co-promotional relationship. It's more akin to an athlete (with shady management) in dispute with ownership over money, which we see in many sports, even the UFC.
Besides, co-promotion between DREAM and Strikeforce has been a success (that could change of course). Strikeforce has been able to beef up several divisions and create both interesting and relevant fights while DREAM satisfies their fighters' desire to have U.S. exposure.
Enough about Fedor, what happens if Rogers defeats Overeem! Where does that leave Strikeforce?
It wouldn't be the end of the world. Sengoku had a non-title middleweight fight where their champion lost. If anything that upset resulted in greater interest for the rematch, which will take place later this month.
Any other questions or sentiments?Leave them in the comments section and they might make it into the post.
8 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Enough about Fedor, what happens if Rogers defeats Overeem! Where does that leave Strikeforce?
It wouldn’t be the end of the world. Sengoku had a non-title middleweight fight where their champion lost. If anything that upset resulted in greater interest for the rematch, which will take place later this month.
it crossed my mind that SF wouldn’t mind this at all. they could build rogers vs. fedor 2 or it will give them an excuse (another excuse actually) to strip overeem finally and hold a mini grand prix or 4 man tourney to determine the champ.
"Newspapermen ask dumb questions. They look up at the sun and ask if it is shining."
-Sonny Liston
.
"Riddle me this. Riddle me that. Who's afraid of the big black bat?"
+1 For that photo lol!
This is why Fedor needs to go to UFC, he has Werdum first, assuming he wins, then the only logical opponent left is Overeem. Unless they can get also Barnett over for a fight it seems like SF is going to be out of worthy opponents by the end of 2010…
by Doors Hate MMA Fighters on Mar 2, 2010 12:01 PM EST reply actions
cross promotiion suck, but then again, strikeforce doesn’t have a lot big draws and the april card would’ve been really stacked if those fedor would’ve been in it. I guess they’re trying to do like the ufc and have a few big name fights and an up and commer in the main card to build them up. Lastly, I don’t, but perhaps they don’t want to have fedor for political reasons on CBS a big American network on prime time.
I think everyone is overlooking something. Fedor stepped into the Strikeforce CAGE and for about half of a three round fight against a guy with moderate experience who for lack of a better term, is still a neophyte in MMA, Fedor got his ass handed to him. Put in a cage with Ubereem (to quote Michael Schiavello) is recipe for a 31-1 record going up in smoke thanks to knees tearing throw tissue paper skin.
The sole goal of M-1 at this point is to maintain the “Fedor Myth” no matter what smoke and mirrors are needed to do so. This is a three point strategy on M-1’s part.
1. Keep him away from elbows. Fedor cuts easily and the minute he has deal with face slicing elbows is the minute he starts losing fights by TKO (cuts).
2. Keep away from wrestlers. Guy who can put him on his back and hit him with the aforementioned elbows. The fact that Brett Rogers took him down is an indication that Fedor’s takedown defense leaves much to be desired. This is why you won’t see Fedor in the UFC. There are at least five guys (Brock, Carwin, Velasquez, Mir, and Couture) who would carve his face up like Thanksgiving dinner.
3. Most importantly, stay the fuck away from Alistair Overeem. Fuck elbows, he’s got knees. And they cut, too.
In the end, it’s better to collect a check in Japan against freaks and midlevel competition to jeopardize the “Fedor myth.” Hell, the man can’t be beat if doesn’t fight the guys capable of beating him.
In addendum, one thing I have to mention about Fedor’s legacy is that the one thing he has going for him is that the vast majority of MMA media continues to swing off his nutsack. This, in and of itself perpetuates the “Fedor Myth.”
Fact is, if you are not fighting in the major promotion, you should not be ranked as a top fighter. For instance, when Dan Henderson signed with Strikeforce, he should of immediately dropped out of the top five middleweight weight rankings behind Silva, Belfort, Sonnen, Maia and Okami. There’s no longer a chance that he will fight a tip five middleweight so why should be ranked as one. Same with Fedor, as long as he’s not in the UFC, he should remain ranked below Lesnar, Carwin, Mir, Velasquez and Dos Santos. Yet, no one in the MMA media seems to understand this and still holds over as if Fedor’s success in Pride 3 years ago remains relevant today.
The bottom line is, there is only MMA promotion that matters and if you are not in it, you sacrifice legitimacy based on lack of competition. Bottom line, Fedor is the sixth best heavyweight in the world until he mans up and steps in the Octagon.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
