Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson and former Strikeforce heavyweight contender Fedor Emelianenko have agreed in principle to fight at a catch weight in a yet-to-be-announced Strikeforce event in July. Henderson (2-1 Strikeforce), a former middleweight, hasn't fought above light heavyweight since facing "Big Nog" in 2002, if memory serves me correctly. Emelianenko (1-2 Strikeforce) has fought smaller opponents in the past including Matt Lindland in 2007. As interesting as this fight is on paper I've got to wonder exactly what Strikeforce are thinking putting this together. Henderson hasn't yet defended his title at light heavyweight and Emelianenko is coming-off two losses. Putting the LHW strap on hold maybe makes sense since Strikeforce's top contender is still TBD but having a champion fight at a catch weight in a non-title bout is a little weird. I don't know if this is Strikeforce's effort to entice Emelianenko into moving down a weight class to 205-lbs but if so--why not make the fight at light heavyweight and put the belt on the line? The bout will officially be a heavyweight contest but rumour has both parties agreeing to meet at 220-lbs, approx. ten pounds lighter than Emelianenko's normal fighting weight and 15 pounds heavier than Henderson's (35-lbs heavier than his middleweight days). Keep in mind that Strikeforce is still dealing with M-1 Global and not just Emelianenko.
Re: Dan Henderson vs. Fedor Emelianenko at a catch weight: does this make sense at al I don't have a problem with SF/Coker making this wonky catchweight non-title fight. Its a fight people want to see, two legends going at it even if they are a bit old. Can Fedor even make 205? Hes not the most cut guy around but hes never had to drop weight before fights to my knowledge. I'm sure he can get a lot leaner but its hard to imagine an uber-lean 205 lb. Fedor. And in another thread someone posted a link to a vid where Hendo seemed to indicate he doesn't get much heavier than 205 lbs. Hard to see him going on a big weight gaining binge at his age and being the LHW champ. He said (and has said many times before) that he isn't concerned with the size differential because of his technique. Making it a title fight could be interesting but seems a bit extreme to ask Fedor to drop to 205 and have his first fight at a new weight against Hendo. Plus hes coming off of two losses. It'd be cool if the fight were 5 rounds and high stakes like a title fight but I give SF credit for actually putting together an interesting fight that the fans will want to see. Lets face it, SF has very few big draw type of fighters and possible matchups. The UFC doesn't have to do things like this because they're flush with fighters and big names but I would love it if they took a page out of SF's book here and just put together some great matchups regardless of championships/title contention/fight politics/etc.
Re: Dan Henderson vs. Fedor Emelianenko at a catch weight: does this make sense at al I'd say it's a safe bet that M1-Global is behind the catch-weight provision. Why have Fedor fight at a weight he isn't comfortable at, when they can make as much money doing it this way, and give Fedor an advantage in the process.
Re: Dan Henderson vs. Fedor Emelianenko at a catch weight: does this make sense at al Bullshit, but whatever. Dan is down to fight whoever the fuck wants to fight at whatever fuckin' weight. He's already said that he'll have to drink a few bottles of water to get to 204, so I don't expect him to be anything over 205. A big disadvantage for him, but he's a strong mother fucker. Either way, someone is getting KTFO. WAR HENDO!
Re: Dan Henderson vs. Fedor Emelianenko at a catch weight: does this make sense at al A report out now suggests that Henderson wants to fight Emelianenko and cautious of M-1's meddling put no stipulations on the fight--basically agreeing to face him at any weight, ostensibly making this fight a heavyweight bout.
Re: Dan Henderson vs. Fedor Emelianenko at a catch weight: does this make sense at al Hendo said in the interview I posted in another thread that he would fight him at heavyweight. M-1 Global is just keeping their name out there. I can't wait until Zuffa crushes them stupid mother fuckers.
Re: Dan Henderson vs. Fedor Emelianenko at a catch weight: does this make sense at al What weight will Fedor be at when the fight starts? If he bulks back up after weigh ins and has a 25 to 30lb weight advantage on Hendo it's a major advantage for him.
Re: Dan Henderson vs. Fedor Emelianenko at a catch weight: does this make sense at al He doesn't play around with his weight. If they fight at heavyweight, Fedor will be 230. Otherwise whatever they weigh in at is what he will fight at. Hendo should be the one bulking up.
