Fedor Emelianenko Signs With Strikeforce

Fighters.com Heavyweight Champion “Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko’s (29-1) has signed a multi-fight agreement to headline events co-promoted by Strikeforce and M-1 Global.

Emelianenko will debut in Strikeforce this autumn and the event will be aired on SHOWTIME.

“We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with M-1 Global and Fedor,” said Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker. “Fedor has been the reigning king of MMA’s heavyweight division for quite some time now so being able to work with M-1 and Fedor will substantially increase the level of competition amongst the athletes in this weight class.”

Though Strikeforce’s heavyweight champion is “Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (27-10), he hasn’t defended his belt since winning it when “Headhunter” Paul Buentello (27-9) took too many knees to the body and quit at Four Men Enter, One Man Survives in San Jose in November 2007. Overeem bailed on a title defense versus “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1) in San Jose this month.

More likely is that Emelianenko will fight fourth-ranked “Grim” Brett Rogers (8-0) whom Emelianenko called out by name when searching for a replacement for ninth-ranked heavyweight “Babyface Assassin” Josh Barnett (20-5) on the since cancelled Affliction M-1 Global Trilogy card.

Rogers’s manager, Mike Reilly, told Fighters.com Friday when asked about a potential fight with Emelianenko, “We have really heard nothing of the sort. We are planning on fighting in October. No idea who. Doesn’t even matter at this point.”