STRIKEFORCE ON CBS
NOVEMBER 7, 2009
LIVE FROM CHICAGO, ILL.
As it should have been, the introductions were focused primarily on Fedor vs. Brett Rogers. They did a nice job pushing Fedor's 30 wins and downplayed his one controversal loss. They hit enough points on the undercard fights to make them seem important, too.
[c]
1 -- FABRICIO WERDUM vs. ANTONIO SILVA
ROUND ONE: At 0:50 Silva pummeled Werdum with what appeared to be a threat to end the fight, but a minute later after defending himself well enough on the ground, they ended up on their feet again. At 2:30 Silva threw Werdum to the mat, but refused to go down on the mat, instead insisting he stand up and fight. Werdum stood and landed a nice right to the chin of SIlva at 3:10, but Silva didn't go down. It had to hurt, though. Werdum tried to take Silva down, but Silva blocked it and landed an elbow. Werdum backed p and landed several punches. He looked confident and threw some high kicks. Silva seemed nonplussed, easily avoiding them and catching his breath. Silva pushed Werdum against the cage in the final 30 seconds. Silva landed an elbow. Silva moved in with big swings at the end of the round, but Werdum survived and got back on his feet at the end of the round. Silva and Werdum slapped hands after a good first round. My score: Round to Silva 10-9. [c]
ROUND TWO: Werdum went aggressively after Silva with punches at the start, but a Silva counterpunch dropped Werdum to the mat mostly knocking him off balance. Silva again hesitated to go to the mat, instead standing over Werdum and trying to avoid up kicks. When Silva finally went to the mat on Werdum at 1:15, Werdum quickly took control on the mat. They ended up back on their feet at 2:00. Silva pushed Werdum against the fence. The ref moved them back to the middle at 3:15. After another minute against the fence, Werdum swept Silva to the mat and went to the half guard at 4:00. With 30 seconds left, Werdum went for a kneebar. Silva seemed comfortable defending against it and slipped out and on top with 20 seconds left and that's how it ended. Closer round. Werdum was more aggressive at the start and got takedowns, so I'd score it 10-9 for Werdum. [c]
ROUND THREE: They're taking 30 second breaks between rounds, but coming back in time for a brief highlights and some corner chatter. Shamrock noted that Werdum switched changes into a muay thai stand. Silva nearly landed a knee at 0:30 from a mid-ring standing position. Werdum missed with an uppercut, then shoved Silva against the fence. Werdum took Silva down at 1:30 with a single leg trip. He then dropped down. Silva turned his back and covered up. Werdum was patient and threw some punches from underneath. Silva stood. Werdum threw some knees against the fence that came up slightly short. Good escape from trouble by Silva. At 2:30 Silva reversed Werdum against the fense and then landed some punches, backing Werdum against the fense again. Werdum went for another knee, but came up short. Back to mid-ring at 2:45. Werdum went for more knees against the fence while standing. Shamrock noted he just wasn't landing them hard enough to hurt Slva. Werdum threw some short jabs that landed, but Silva didn't seem fazed. Werdum went for another knee at 3:30. Mid-ring both fighters seemed winded, Silva more than Werdm. Werdum got Silva's back again on the mat, threw some short annoying jabs to force Silva to cover. Silva rolled onto his back. Werdum scored points on top by staying active, but never had the power to end the fight. It ended with Werdum in control, but unable to get the full mount. They immediately hugged on the mat and smiled at one another. My score: 10-9 for Werdum.
-They cut backstage to Jenn Brown interviewing Fedor's trainer backstage. She noted that he doesn't talk to reporters before his fights. Through an interpreter, his trainer said he's relaxing, telling jokes, and getting mentally ready. Brown asked why he doesn't talk to the media. The trainer said it's not superstition, but rather just a way to avoid being distracted.
-They looked at CompuStrike totas. Pretty even other than Werdum's 2/4 on takedowns versus Silva's 0/0.
RESULT: Jimmy Lennon announced all three judges scoring 29-28 in favor of Werdum.
STAR RATING (***-): On our four-star scale, this was on the low end of a good fight in terms of our criteria, which bases ratings of fights on quality of execution of offense and defense, excitement level, and historical ramifications. This wasn't a must-see fight, but it was a good fight with a relatively bland second round and lack of near knockouts or threatening submissions to get into that three-star-plus or four-star-must-see range. [c]
2 - GEGARD MOUSASI vs. SOKOUDJOU
ROUND ONE: Mousasi's had his usual odd pre-fight demeanor which is reminiscent of me in line at the DMV. The announcers noted that Sokoudjou has had an up and down career, specifically noting that he didn't fare well in UFC, but touting some big wins otherwise. Sokoudjou looked confident and active in the opening minute, as Mousasi seemed to be taking his time to figure out the timing. Soko took a shot to the cup, but only needed five seconds. Mousasi kicked Soko low again, but Mousasi complained. Soko went for a takedown at 2:30, but Mousasi held his stance. Nice continued rapid-fire pace by Soko, but Mousasi wasn't hurt. Mousasi then moved in at 3:15 aggressively, but Soko absorbed the shots and threw Mousasi to the mat and ended up on top and in control. Mousasi reversed himself on top after a failed guillotine attempt. Mousasi had side control. Soo slipped out and exploded to his feet. Impressive early effort by the 4-1 underdog Soko. With 35 seconds left he put Mousasi into a tight looking guillotine against the fence standing. Mousasi broke free and shoved Soko against the fence. Soko tossed Mousasi to the mat. Mousasi went for upkicks, then tripped Soko from the mat. He ended on top, but I'm tempted to give that round to Soko 10-9. Both fighters had their moments, but reputations aside, I think most observers would give the round to Soko.
ROUND TWO: No commercial break. Mousasi was more aggressive at the start, pushing Soko against the fence. The announcers noted that Babalu beat Sokoudjou, yet didn't have nearly the success against Mousasi that Soko was so far. At 1:30 Mousasi went for the kill with a barrage of punches, and Soko took them and swung back hard enough to cause Mousasi to clinch and catch his breath. At 2:00 Soko dropped Mousasi to the mat after a stalemate on their feet for a minute prior. Both seemed to be resting for a few seconds, so the ref told them to work. Soko held Mousasi down and blcoked an armbar attempt. Good defense by Soko. Mousasi ended up on top at 3:00 and hammered methodcally on Soko who began to look like Frank Mir losing to Brock Lesnar in the same spot. Mousasi went for the finish with punches and Soko just covered and didn't show signs of being able to defend himself intelligently, so the ref stepped in.
RESULTS: Mousasi at 3:43 of Round Two.
STAR RATING (***+): Very good fight, bordering on the four-star territory. Mousasi won, but wasn't dominant. He seemed perhaps a bit disappointed in his performance. Soko looked better than most expected, but was soundly defeated mentally and physically at the end. Soko probably gained a little in this loss just because he made it through the first around perhaps ahead on the scorecard. Spirited, exciting fight from both men. Mousasi never seemed in trouble, but he seemed verging on frustrated that his first-round attempts to win were thwarted by Soko's strong judo. [c]
-After a long commercial break, they showed Andrei Arlovski, Robbie Lawler, Scott Smith, Matt Lindland Shinya Aoki, and Cung Lee at ringside. They hyped their upcoming fights. Nice looking wide shot of the crowd at Sears Center.
3 -- JAKE SHIELDS vs. JASON MILLER
PRE-FIGHT: Shields said he's never been more excited about a fight. Miller's personality came through quickly with a lot of panning for the camera and funny faces. Miller said he can stop Shield's takedowns and can wear him out. He said he's seem Shields get tired. He said he has a gameplan, but he'll adjust to do whatever it takes to win. Miller came out in a robe, then ripped if off and strutted to the ring between cheerleaders while literally dancing in the middle of eight cheerleaders. He was over-the-top intentionally goofy and self-deprecating. The announcers laughed about his odd personality, saying there must be something wrong with him. Shamrock said the key for him is his jab. He said he thinks he can expose Shields's on his feet. Shields then made a relatively all-business ring entrance. The announcers noted that Shields was upset at them after the way they called his last fight and let them know it.
ROUND ONE: Ref Big John McCarthy got one of the bigger ovations of the night. Miller looked like he was about to walk into a haunted house on Halloween night with friends rather than a fight on live network television. He just had a smirk and odds sense of anticipation. Miller swung and landed one right, so Shields easily took him down and pushed him against the cage. Miller looked relaxed and tried to stand at 0:45. Shields held him down, but was in no position to do any damage or submit him until 1:05 where Shields got his back. Miller rolled over to avoid being choked, but then took some punches. Shields smothered him. Miller got to his feet at 1:55. Shields took him down by 2:15 again. Miller, though, remained confortable with his back against the fence, biding his time. Shamrock said: "I like what Miller's doing here; just chilling." A few boos by 3:00 as not much was happening. Miller picked up Shields and slammed him to the mat at 3:45, then mounted him within Shield's full guard. Miller stood and wound up and moved in for a big right. They scrambled to their feet. Miller went for a back suplex, but Shields blocked it. Shields was tempted to the grab the fence. McCarthy warned him not to, and Miller did suplex him. He ended the round punching Shields from behind on the mat. Close round. Shields's corner told him he got the round. Closer than Shields would want considering Miller's strategy was to survive early rounds and be fresher late to dominate stand-up. I'd give the edge of Miller 10-9, but a case could be made the other way upon live viewing (which is all the judges get).
ROUND TWO: Miller landed a left hook early. Shields bled from the forehead after they knocked heads. Shields ended six of his last eight fights in the first round. They locked up against the fence. Miller wrapped up a squirming Shields on the mat. At 1:30 Shields ended up on top of Miller, but Miller pushed out with is hips. Shields took Miller's back immediately again. Shields went for a rear naked choke, but Miller blocked it. Shields got Miller's back, but Miller remained relaxed and defended himself intelligently. Nice scrambling on the mat. Shields had Miller in a "banana split" position, wrapping hisleft leg with his legs while stretching his torso and arms with his own arms. Miller broke free. Shields kept ground control and at 3:50 got his back, threw some punches, and went for a choke. Miller blocked it calmly and seemed to have an answer for Shields at every turn. Miller got back to his feet at 4:15 and quickly ended up on top of Shields. The announcers noted that Shields was using a lot of energy in offense that ultimately wasn't good enough to finish Miller, playing precisely into Miller's announced gameplan. The found ended with MIller on top. Miller was impressive in surviving everything Shields threw at him, and in the big picture it went really well for Miller's gameplan to survive and wear out Shields, yet Shields has to get the round on points for controlling the action. 10-9 Shields.
ROUND THREE: Miller slammed Shields down early in this round. Shields wrestled his way on top, yet Miller again seemed very relaxed and lacking any fear of being submitted or hurt. Shields stayed on top and maneuvered to find a way to punish Miller. Shields mounted Miller briefly and landed a punch or two, but Miller rolled out of it. Shields mounted Mille again and at 2:00 began pelting Miller. He slipped into position for a rear choke again, but Miller defended himself. Miller rolled right onto Shields just as Shamrock talked about how that might be Miller's next move. They ended up back on their feet and Miller caught Shields with a spinning backfist as Shields moved in. The announcers continued to stress that Shields was showing signs of his cardio weakening. McCarthy stopped the action so Miller's gloves could be re-taped. Advantage: Shields, who got to catch his breath. Miller, though, seemed tired, too at this point. McCarthy re-started them in the same spot. Shields wrestled Miller to the mat against the fence right away at 3:15. At this point the question seemed to be weather Shields would grind out another 10-9 win based on control without major punishment or go for a more exciting, decisive, but risky strategy. Miller managed to get to Shield's back and applied a rear naked choke. Miller made a goofy face as Shields seemed on the verge of being out, but Shields was saved by the bell. Shamrock: "He dodged a train!" Man, you almost have to give the round to Miller because of that near win at the end despite Shields dominating ground control until then. Five more seconds and he probably would have been submitted for the first time.
ROUND FOUR: No commercial breaks between rounds here. It's already 10:30 p.m., so barring a qick end here and a short Fedor-Rogers fight, this looked to be headed toward running past the alloted timeslot. Shields took Miller down at 0:30 against the fence. At 1:45 the ref told them to get moving. Miller treid to stand up, but Shields held him down. Fans began to boo. Shields kept trying to improve his position, so McCarthy waited to force a stand-up, but at 2:30 he di. Miller went after Shields with a knee and kicks and was very aggressive, but Shields dropped Miller. At 3:50 Shields went for a rear naked choke, but Miller blocked it. Shields dragged Miller away from the fence and got full mount brefly. Miller escaped and monkey rolled again out of trouble. Shields ended up on top again with a side mount. Miller popped his hips up to create space. The round ended with relatively soft pelting by Shields. Shields 10-9.
-They cut backstage to an interview with Bret Rogers. They talked about his background working at Sam's Club a year ago. Rogers talked about his win over Andrei Arlovski changing his professional life. He said in some ways he is living an American Dream. He said he hopes to inspire everyone to do whatever they dream of and are interested in achieving.
ROUND THREE: They exchanged on their feet early. Shields was aggressive in pushing Miller against the cage and then going for a guillotine choke on his feet. Milelr broke free, but Shields dropped him again. Shields scrambled to Miller's back and showed more energy early. At 1:30 Shields continued to score control points on Miller against the fence. The announcers ended up impressed with Shields's cardio considering Miller thought that'd be his strength in round five. Shields wrapped up Miller and pelted him from behind, scoring point, but not landing hard enough to end it. Miller covered up while lying back-down on Shields. Shields went for a revenge rear naked choke. Miller slipped out and tried to score with punches. He went for a guillotine again. Shields popped out a few seconds later at 3:45. Shields just smothered Miller for the final 1:15. They ended on their feet in the final few seconds. Miller was aggressive with a kick attempt, but Shields caught his leg and the horn sounded. Miller raised his arm in victory, but that was playing to judges more than reality. Shields 10-9, and Shields 48-47 overall, or 49-46 if you give him round three.
RESULT: Shields (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) unanimous decision to become Strikeforce Middleweight Champion.
STAR RATING (**+) - It had its moments, but mostly it was Shields riding out a win with control without threatening to actually close it out. Not the type of fight that makes people anticipate Shields's next fight or become fans of his style. [c]
-They showed Fedor backstage, then Rogers warming up. After brief commentary previewing the fight, they cut to another commercial break. [c] Then after another brief preview video package, they cut to yet another break. [c]
4 -- FEDOR EMELIANENKO (30-1) vs. BRETT ROGERS (10-0)
PRE-FIGHT: Lots of Tale of the Tape advantages for Rogers. Fedor age 33, Rogers 28. Fedor 5-11 1/2, Rogers 6-4, Weight: Fedor 232, Rogers, 264. Reach: Fedor 74.5, Rogers 81.5. Experience, mystique, and a ton of intangibles should more than offset those stats, though. Ring intros began at 10:01 CT, 11:01 ET. Not much of an ovation for Rogers. They showed his wife cheering him on. Fedor was introduced as someone recognized as the "greatest heavyweight fighter on the planet." Fedor got a legend's reception. McCarthy ordered them to center-ring. Rogers was slower than McCarthy wanted. Good to see McCarthy is the ref for this one. What an overwhelming moment in Rogers's life, standing opposite of Fedor live on CBS.
ROUND ONE: Rogers bloodied Fedor's nose with a jab in the opening seconds. At 1:00 Rogers swung, but Fedor took took Rogers down. Rogers scrambled back to his feet and pushed Fedor against the fence. The blood gushed from Fedor's nose. The announcers said the cage may work against Fedor. Back center-ring Fedor landed a nasty left. Rogers covered, but stayed aggressive. Fedor tried to throw Rogers down. he got him down and began pounding away at him with lighting fast short punches. Fedor smothered Rogers, who survived that adrenaline-rush-inducing flurry of offense. At 3;00 Fedor went for a kimura, but Rogers pushed through it and ended up on top. Rogers threw a barrage of punches at Fedor, but Fedor went for an armbar to send Rogers squirming away. Rogers checked on his nose. Rogers seemed winded on his knees. Fedor sensed it and shoved Rogers onto his feet. Blood dripped out of Fedor's badly damaged nose. Aith one mintute left FEdor went for a side chokeout. Rogers seemed tired, yet possibly relaxed. Wow. Great tension here. Rogers earning respect n the first four minutes. Fedor sened with 30 seconds left a chance to finish Rogers. He stood. Rogers staed on his back and upkicked to keep FEdor away. Fedor went for a flying right. Rogers avoided it and swatted himself to the side. Fedor covered Rogers in the closing seconds. Hell of a first round!
-They went to Fedor's corner as his nose was worked on. They replayed the nose-crushing punch by Rogers early. They showed Fedor's comeback that knocked Rogers silly briefly also. Then they showed Rogers pummeling Fedor against the fence. Shamrock said he's never seen Fedor hit like that.
ROUND TWO: Fedor's first second-round appearance sine 2006 against Mark Coleman. Fedor ended it quickly in the second, though. Fedor came out more aggressive. A "Fedor" chant was replaced by "USA." Rogers threw a knee as Fedor moved in. Rogers covered up as FEdor threw a barrage of punches at him against the fence. Rogers withstood it and clunched Fedor against the fence. Wow again. At 1:40 the went back to center ring and Fedor KO'd Rogers with a punch and ended it at 1:48. The crowd popped as Fedor celebrated with his corner and Rogers tried to recover on the mat. They cut to Rogers sitting on the ground, wondering what happened, but seeming okay. On the replay, it seemed like McCarthy might have stepped in one second early if only because Fedor didn't land anything too damaging afterward; just one punch landed. Rogers, though, was cowering and covering up. It shouldn't be considered controversial. Rogers sat shaking his head, knowing he came closer than most expected. Perhaps he was shaking his head because he's never been hit like that before.
RESULT: Fedor at 1:48 of round two.
STAR RATING (****+): That's as exciting as it gets. The fact that's Fedor on national TV against an undefeated challenger puts it into the four-star range to start, and it has to be boring to fall short. Every second of the fight was edge-of-seat dramatic. Fedor's looked to be in trouble in past fights, but as usual figures out how to beat his opponent and does so decisively.
POST-FIGHT: Fedor said the key was to not get scared in the first round, figure out a weak point in his opponent, and then win the fight based on that acquired knowledge. He said via an interpreter that Rogers is no doubt a great fighter, but he said he noticed his legs splay and found a weak moment in that leg splay. When asked if he'd offer Rogers a rematch, Fedor said yes, if Brett would like one, "why not?" Fedor made some closing comments of his own in Russian, thanking the fans who came to support him. He said a lot of Russian people were praying for him. He said he shares his viftory with everyone at home. Then Rogers was up next. When asked how he feels about losing, he said, "I hate it." He said he'll come back stronger. He said if he can have a rematch, he'll gladly have it. He seemed like he wanted it right then and moved toward Fedor. He had to be talked down. He said he should have thrown his hands a lot more and shouldn't have doubted himself. He said he will come back and "please believe, I will throw them." I think they can sell a rematch.
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Helluva match. Rogers definitely should have thrown more punches . . .
AJ
08 Nov 2009, 00:54
Rogers showed no class at the end of the fight. Back to Sams Club for him!
John
08 Nov 2009, 01:12
Why is a rematch even being discussed?
This isn't pro wrestling. He lost clearly. What is the interest in seeing a
rematch? He got beat just like everyone does, by Fedor.
Jared
08 Nov 2009, 20:20
Why is a rematch being discussed? Probably because Strikeforce has nothing
better. Fedor-Arlovski 2? Not really. Fedor-Werdum? Werdum was not
impressive and doesn't deserve Fedor. The only other fighter would be
Overeem, but he apparently doesn't fight in America. Assuming Fedor fights
Overeem (and wins), and Rogers fights Werdum (and wins), that's where the
rematch comes in.
I thought Rogers showed enough that, if he got another win, a rematch
wouldn't be too bad. It was an entertaining fight, and if they faced off
again and Rogers came out guns blazing (like he was supposedly going to do
this time), I think the rematch could be just as entertaining.
I think Rogers being close to a rematch is cause he's pretty much the only
option outside of Overeem. The only other option other than those two that
I can see would be if 1) Henderson signed and 2) if he wanted to fight
Fedor.
