This weekend’s Strikeforce event will mark the much anticipated prime time and mass American introduction to one of the legends of Mixed Martial Arts, Fedor Emeliananko.  To the average post Pride fan “The Last Emperor” has been somewhat of a folklore shrouded in mystery and brought up in such conversations as “who would win in a fight, Brock Lesnar, Anderson Silva, Godzilla or Fedor Emeliananko?”  What the fans will see in his fight against Brett Rogers will be more than just the regular clashing of titans but an important mark in MMA history that will put to rest many unanswered questions and possibly raise some more.  What then would a win or a loss mean for the most controversial pound for pound champion and the sport of MMA?

Before addressing the broader questions of how this fight will affect the sport itself let’s explore what the outcome of this fight will mean for both fighters. Obviously a win for the opponent Brett Rogers would catapult him into instant stardom and a win for Fedor will solidify his place as the top ranking heavyweight but it is possible that there will still be more doubts in both fighters if this fight doesn’t last longer than Fedor’s previous two fights.  If Fedor puts Rogers away in the first minute fanboys will be flooding forums criticizing the level of competition available for him in Strikeforce, but then again the average viewer might start believing the hype if they see the 265 pound Clubber Lang like opponent get dropped by the much smaller, unassuming and stoic Rusky.  The diehard fans want to see Fedor get tested by a larger stronger man and see if he still has the fire inside him to go out there to perform, win and hopefully finish impressively - even though he looks like he is as bored to death by the spectacle as most would be when watching a Russian Ballet.

On the other hand, if Rogers gives the viewers another nine second outing we might be hearing the word “fluke” instead of the words “new pound for pound champ.”  An example of this is the speculation and uncertainty still given to Brian Bowles after his massive knock out victory over former champ Miguel Angel Torres.  Sometimes quick and easy doesn’t leave critics satisfied no matter how sweet it is.

To say the least any outcome will shake up the world of MMA.  A loss for Fedor would begin a frenzy of debate over the pound for pound and heavyweight rankings that would make average enthusiasts head spin.  And what about the UFC?  They must have a dual interest in this event.  For one, if they ever want to set up a super fight with the likes of Fedor and Lesnar they will need him to get through the Strikeforce competition with no blemishes but the last thing they want is for Fedor’s success to translate well for Strikeforce and put them on a level of real competition.  Let’s hope that if Fedor wins and brings Strikeforce a certain amount of appeal to the long time spectators that UFC doesn’t answer back with signing every obscure throwback possible to give their promotion the title of the true home for “glory days fighters.”  I mean who wants to see a Tank Abbot and Dan Severn rematch, aside from maybe Tank Abbot?

Any result though, whether it be anything from a double knockout to Brett Rogers winning by flying armbar, there will be one definite winner, the fans, because no matter what, things just got very interesting for the world of MMA.

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