Fedor Emelianenko Defeats Brett Rogers on CBS
One of the Most Exciting Fights in MMA History
Nov 7, 2009
There weren't a lot of people who knew what to expect from Fedor Emelianenko versus Brett Rogers at the main event of Saturday nights Strikeforce/M-1 Global event. Everyone knows that Fedor is the best pound for pound fighter in the world, but it was hard to judge what he would do against an unbeaten opponent who had nearly always finishes his fights in the first round. Neutral fans just wanted to see a good fight. And did they ever.
Fedor Get's His Nose Broke
Fedor left the Sears Centre Arena with his reputation and impressive record intact. The same cannot be said about his nose. Just seconds into the fight, Brett Rogers was able to land a hard jab that immediately send blood gushing from a deep cut on the bridge of Fedor's nose. Blood filled the octagon as it rushed from the cut. It appeared that Fedor was having problems breathing through it and his entire face was covered in blood by the end of the first round.The fighters continued to exchange a few blows throughout the first round and Fedor actually got Rogers to the ground once but was unable to keep him there.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers Round 1
Late in the first round, Rogers stood above Fedor, who was lying flat on his back, and reigned down heavy punches directly to Fedor's face. At this point, it looked like the fight was over. Fedor's head bounced multiple times off the canvas and it appeared big John McCarthy could have stepped in. However, Fedor was able to hang on to his senses and recover by nearly locking in an arm bar on Rogers.
Fedor TKO's Rogers
As the second round started, both fighters seemed to be a little gassed from the brutal first round. They exchanged some blows and it wasn't long before Fedor found an opening when Rogers dropped his hands. Fedor landed a very powerful hook that left Rogers falling lifeless to the canvas, unable to recover. He jumped on him and threw a few more swooping punches but McCarthy had already decided that Rogers was done. As the fight ended, McCarthy was heard on the microphone telling Rogers that he fought a really good fight.
Brett Rogers actually fought a superb fight if you erase the last ten seconds. He was winning the stand up game and landed some good knees to Fedors legs along with bouncing Fedor's head off the mat a few times. He had taken a shot or two, but it seemed he had inflicted more damage than he had received. Each time he was taken to the mat (a place he definitely didn't want to be), he quickly got back to his feet or fought off any position of disadvantage. He was getting tired, but he impressed many fight fans.
In the end, Fedor was able to survive long enough to find his spot. Rogers was super impressive in this fight, but Fedor showed incredible toughness and an ability to survive that may have not been seen before. In the second round, his punches were like lasers as they were perfectly timed and very fast and powerful. After the beating he took in the first round, it was hard to believe that he could be so good in the second round. Fedor showed why he is the best pound for pound fighter in the world and it shouldn't be too long before he holds the Strikeforce heavyweight title.
