Pros Pick: Fedor vs. Rogers
Pros Pick
Mike Sloan Nov 5, 2009
Fedor
Emelianenko, the man most agree is the world’s best
heavyweight, returns to action Saturday in Hoffman Estates, Ill.,
against the less experienced but still dangerous Brett
Rogers.
The duel is the main event of Strikeforce/M-1 Global’s debut on CBS. Fedor is a fierce striker and an even deadlier submission player. He’s a resounding favorite at the sportsbooks and he should be.
While Rogers is not as big an underdog as James “Buster” Douglas
was on Feb. 11, 1990, when he shocked the world with his dramatic
10th-round knockout of then-invincible Mike Tyson, a Rogers win
would send similar shockwaves throughout the MMA world
nevertheless.
So who will win? Sherdog.com caught up with dozens of professional fighters and trainers from the MMA community to gauge their opinions.
Pete Sell: Fedor tries to set up Rogers for a big shot but then slips. Brett jumps on the opportunity and KO’s him with his golden luck (laughs).
Dewey Cooper: Wow, this is an interesting fight for two reasons. A relatively unknown, untested, super aggressive big puncher that seems fearless and relentless for victories by knockout. Secondly, as close to perfection as a fighter can be in the unpredictable world of MMA, the incredible Fedor. Who, by the way, is another one-punch knockout artist. Will this be the fight (where) Fedor is overconfident and takes this new heavyweight threat lightly? We all know it will happen sooner or later if Fedor continues to fight; he will at some point be defeated. But I don't think it will be this fight.
Though I would love to see Rogers shock the world, I don't think it will happen. Fedor has too many ways he can win this fight. He can win by striking, takedowns with ground-and-pound or his deadly submissions, chokes, etc. Rogers has only one way he can win this fight -- by striking, most likely punches. Also, Rogers seems to be too aggressive at times, which can make him an easy target to work Fedor's takedown skills. So Fedor by first- or second-round KO or submission. Not to mention the championship experience Fedor has. That is always an advantage in these high-profile fights.
Kevin Burns: Fedor won’t be challenged by Rogers, and he’ll determine how long he wants the fight to last. He could probably finish him in under a minute if he chose to.
Jaime Fletcher: I like Brett Rogers, but I think Fedor is too much all around. I pick Fedor early by KO or submission. He always takes the fight where he can win it. Rogers’ ground (game) is not on the world-class level yet. You need that when you fight the greatest MMA heavyweight of all time. Right now that’s what Fedor is.
Mac Danzig: In the fights I’ve seen of Rogers, he’s seemed pretty sloppy, but that doesn’t mean he can’t win. Fedor isn’t invincible and if Rogers hits the chin, he has the power to finish. That being said, I think Fedor is more complete and has the experience to take the fight where he needs to. He also has a more resilient chin than anyone Rogers has faced thus far, so I’m going with Fedor unless he slips on a banana peel. I’d like to see the underdog win, but I don’t think many heavyweights at Brett Rogers’ level have the ability to beat Fedor.
Ricardo Liborio: Fedor by submission (in the) second round.
Chael Sonnen: Two fatties swinging like bums. Yawn, stretch, back to sleep.
Ron Frazier: No real reason for this pick. Maybe it’s just time for a new king? I love Fedor’s game, but I am picking the young big gun Brett Rogers by KO.
Scott Bieri: As much as I like parity in this sport, this one seems pretty straightforward. Rogers is a threat to any heavyweight but seems to be a one-trick pony at this point in his career. If Fedor can figure out a prime Cro Cop, Rogers’ heavy hands shouldn’t be a problem.
Micah Miller: Fedor (wins). Rogers has size and a puncher’s chance, but he’s in over his head.
Roland Sarria: Fedor will win by a Russian polar bear hammer punch to the ear in the first round.
Travis Lutter: Got to go with Fedor. He is due to lose, but I am not betting against him.
Gabe Ruediger: You’re kidding, right? It’s a fight and anything can happen, but short of the "Any Given Sunday" factor, this fight is all Fedor. On the ground and standing, it’s his world and Brett is just sniffing the air. Fedor by KO or submission in the first round.
Stephane Vigneault: Fedor is still the man. How can you beat a robot? Seriously, it's a dangerous fight, but Fedor is Fedor. Fedor by TKO in less than five minutes.
Brad Pickett: Fedor, 150 percent. I'll eat some dog s--t if I’m wrong.
Soa Palelei: (To Pickett) Big call to eat dog s--t. Dangerous fight for Fedor. I’m still backing Fedor, but he needs to either keep his hands up or take Rogers to the ground.
The duel is the main event of Strikeforce/M-1 Global’s debut on CBS. Fedor is a fierce striker and an even deadlier submission player. He’s a resounding favorite at the sportsbooks and he should be.
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So who will win? Sherdog.com caught up with dozens of professional fighters and trainers from the MMA community to gauge their opinions.
Jeff
Monson: Fedor by submission early.
Pete Sell: Fedor tries to set up Rogers for a big shot but then slips. Brett jumps on the opportunity and KO’s him with his golden luck (laughs).
Dewey Cooper: Wow, this is an interesting fight for two reasons. A relatively unknown, untested, super aggressive big puncher that seems fearless and relentless for victories by knockout. Secondly, as close to perfection as a fighter can be in the unpredictable world of MMA, the incredible Fedor. Who, by the way, is another one-punch knockout artist. Will this be the fight (where) Fedor is overconfident and takes this new heavyweight threat lightly? We all know it will happen sooner or later if Fedor continues to fight; he will at some point be defeated. But I don't think it will be this fight.
Though I would love to see Rogers shock the world, I don't think it will happen. Fedor has too many ways he can win this fight. He can win by striking, takedowns with ground-and-pound or his deadly submissions, chokes, etc. Rogers has only one way he can win this fight -- by striking, most likely punches. Also, Rogers seems to be too aggressive at times, which can make him an easy target to work Fedor's takedown skills. So Fedor by first- or second-round KO or submission. Not to mention the championship experience Fedor has. That is always an advantage in these high-profile fights.
Kevin Burns: Fedor won’t be challenged by Rogers, and he’ll determine how long he wants the fight to last. He could probably finish him in under a minute if he chose to.
Jaime Fletcher: I like Brett Rogers, but I think Fedor is too much all around. I pick Fedor early by KO or submission. He always takes the fight where he can win it. Rogers’ ground (game) is not on the world-class level yet. You need that when you fight the greatest MMA heavyweight of all time. Right now that’s what Fedor is.
Mac Danzig: In the fights I’ve seen of Rogers, he’s seemed pretty sloppy, but that doesn’t mean he can’t win. Fedor isn’t invincible and if Rogers hits the chin, he has the power to finish. That being said, I think Fedor is more complete and has the experience to take the fight where he needs to. He also has a more resilient chin than anyone Rogers has faced thus far, so I’m going with Fedor unless he slips on a banana peel. I’d like to see the underdog win, but I don’t think many heavyweights at Brett Rogers’ level have the ability to beat Fedor.
Ricardo Liborio: Fedor by submission (in the) second round.
Chael Sonnen: Two fatties swinging like bums. Yawn, stretch, back to sleep.
Ron Frazier: No real reason for this pick. Maybe it’s just time for a new king? I love Fedor’s game, but I am picking the young big gun Brett Rogers by KO.
Scott Bieri: As much as I like parity in this sport, this one seems pretty straightforward. Rogers is a threat to any heavyweight but seems to be a one-trick pony at this point in his career. If Fedor can figure out a prime Cro Cop, Rogers’ heavy hands shouldn’t be a problem.
Micah Miller: Fedor (wins). Rogers has size and a puncher’s chance, but he’s in over his head.
Roland Sarria: Fedor will win by a Russian polar bear hammer punch to the ear in the first round.
Travis Lutter: Got to go with Fedor. He is due to lose, but I am not betting against him.
Gabe Ruediger: You’re kidding, right? It’s a fight and anything can happen, but short of the "Any Given Sunday" factor, this fight is all Fedor. On the ground and standing, it’s his world and Brett is just sniffing the air. Fedor by KO or submission in the first round.
Stephane Vigneault: Fedor is still the man. How can you beat a robot? Seriously, it's a dangerous fight, but Fedor is Fedor. Fedor by TKO in less than five minutes.
Brad Pickett: Fedor, 150 percent. I'll eat some dog s--t if I’m wrong.
Soa Palelei: (To Pickett) Big call to eat dog s--t. Dangerous fight for Fedor. I’m still backing Fedor, but he needs to either keep his hands up or take Rogers to the ground.
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