Two MMA legends collide in Chicago, Illinois, tonight but just how meaningful is this meeting between fighters who have been campaigning at middleweight and heavyweight ?
Dan Henderson and Fedor Emelianenko have enjoyed top level status in the sport, but does the fact that Fedor faces Henderson at heavyweight diminish the standing of this contest ? Arguably, yes, given that there will be a 20lbs weight difference between them. (227 and 207 were the weights on the scales yesterday).
A statement of intent at the Sears Centre could have been made by getting the Russian (in shape for a start) and down to 205lbs. It would have said a lot about his desire to continue in the sport, a feature which has been tooth-combed since his defeats to Antonio BigFoot Silva and Fabricio Werdum.
Given that Alistair Overeem was released from the Strikeforce organization last night – at the behest of the UFC, we understand – there could be a return to the eight-man heavyweight tournament (now at the semi-final stage) for Fedor if there is a significant showing from him tonight. The tournament now needs life breathing back into it.
Henderson has revealed this week that there was never any great call for him to face Fedor when they were in the Pride Fighting Championships, but it is a challenge the American – and indeed the fans – are intrigued to see. Henderson will always be a handful for anyone, and while they have identical reach and Henderson may even be a shade taller, The Russian is experienced in dealing with bigger men. Henderson could cause an upset if Fedor really has lost interest in his career. No one will know until the bell tolls tonight.
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ESPN UFC Podcast this week, hosted by your correspondent. Gil Melendez discusses the Strikeforce card, how he would like to fight in the UFC and the best at lightweight, and breaks down the Strikeforce card. Click here to listen…
Paul Daley, whose career in the UFC is on hold ad infinitum according to UFC president Dana White this week, faces a crossroads moment in his career.
Beaten in a thrilling one-round contest with Nick Diaz earlier in the year, Daley can get himself back in Strikeforce welterweight title contention with a victory over the two-time All-American wrestler, undefeated Tyrone Woodley. Woodley coming off a unanimous decision over Tarec Saffiedine in January. It was impressive how he neutralized a quality opponent, but Woodley did take some criticism for a less than thrilling performance.
Expect wrestling, wrestling and more wrestling from Woodley. It could be Daley v Koscheck II.
“I have no intentions on riding this fight out,” Woodley has insisted. “I’m just going to be flat-out honest. Of course Daley wants to fight ‘Cyborg’ and Diaz, guys that are going to stand with him and bang, but guess what? This isn’t kickboxing. This isn’t Muay Thai. … This is MMA.”
Fine. But Woodley knows how dangerous Daley is with his hands, and is only likely to take Daley to the ground. That means Daley will likely have to call on his takedown defense if he wants to strike with Woodley.
“He’s going to be so tired from me pulling on him, picking him up, slamming him on his head, dropping elbows across his face,” Woodley said. “If we make it to the later rounds, he won’t even look like the striker he was in the first round. I’m just going to go out with my game plan. I’m going to win this fight. I’m going to do it in great fashion. I think the fans will appreciate it.”
Your correspondent on ESPN MMA Live Extra on the Daley v Woodley match-up in Illinois, while rising middleweight Tim Kennedy talks about his contest with Robbie Lawler.
ESPN MMA Live on Daley, Kennedy
Strikeforce is live on Primetime (Sky Channel 480), tonight from 3am.
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