Fedor Emelianenko To Debut on American TV VS Brett Rogers at Strikeforce

Fighters.com Heavyweight Champion “Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (30-1) and fifth-ranked “Grim” Brett Rogers (10-0) will fight live on American broadcast television station CBS in a Strikeforce main event November 7, Strikeforce announced Thursday.

Old hat for Rogers who TKO’d Jon Murphy (4-3) on MMA’s American broadcast TV debut on CBS at EliteXC in Newark in May 2008.  But, the world’s top heavyweight, Emelianenko, has thus far been been relegated to pay-per-view in the States.

The broadcast will feature four fights including the main event and air beginning at 9:00 PM EST, delayed on the west coast.  It’ll contend for combat sports fans with HBO’s WBC light heavyweight title fight between Chad Dawson and Glen Johnson.

Gus Johnson, Frank Shamrock (23-10-2), and Mauro Ranallo will call the action.

“There’s no question this is a sport that is fast becoming a force in popularity and as a business,” said Kelly Kahl, Senior Executive Vice President, Prime Time, CBS Television.  “We’re excited to be the platform that will enable millions more to see the athlete regarded as the very best in his sport.  The number one heavyweight on the most-watched network has a very nice ring to it.”

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to bring the Strikeforce brand to CBS,” said Scott Coker, Founder and CEO of Strikeforce.  “We are looking forward to bringing MMA back to the network and to having the world’s number one heavyweight, Fedor, compete for the first time on live network television against one of America’s most promising young, undefeated stars, Brett Rogers.”