Update - Strikeforce targets Fedor vs. "Bigfoot," Arlovski vs. Kharitonov for Feb. 12

Sakara=Excitement · 01-03-2011, 03:37 PM

Strikeforce targets Fedor vs. "Bigfoot," Arlovski vs. Kharitonov for Feb. 12 event | MMAjunkie.com

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"The Last Emperor" is returning – finally.

Fedor Emelianenko (31-2 MMA, 1-1 SF) meets Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva (14-2 MMA, 1-1 SF) in the opening round of an eight-man Strikeforce heavyweight tournament scheduled to begin Feb. 12 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J.

In a second quarterfinal fight, former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski (15-8 MMA, 0-2 SF) meets Sergei Kharitonov (16-4 MMA, 0-0 SF).

MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) learned of the news from sources close to the fighters who are earmarked for the tournament. Sherdog.com first reported the tournament earlier today.

A third quarterfinal matchup between Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1 MMA, 3-0 SF) and Brett Rogers (11-2 MMA, 2-2 SF) reported as in the works for a March 5 event in Columbus, Ohio, is said to be off, sources said, though Werdum recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio he plans to compete at the spring event.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker declined to comment on the reported fights, though he said an "important announcement" about the tournament is due by Tuesday.

Emelianenko's return marks the apparent end of contentious contract negotiations between Strikeforce, Showtime and M-1 Global, the parent company responsible for managing the Russian heavyweight. This past month, as heavy rumors circled about an Emelianenko vs. Silva matchup at a Strikeforce card set for Jan. 29, officials from Strikeforce and M-1 Global said negotiations still were ongoing and a deal was not finalized.

However, the officials were optimistic that a deal was closer than ever.

"We are really hoping that we can finalize things as soon as possible," M-1 representative Evgeni Kogan then told MMAjunkie.com. "We have been steadily working toward an agreement. And I think we are closer to it now than we have been in the past."

Emelianenko has not competed since he suffered a shocking submission loss to Werdum at "Strikeforce and M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Werdum" earlier this year. A rematch between the two appeared to be in the works before Werdum underwent surgery for a damaged elbow and was put on the bench until early next year. Emelianenko previously had flirted with the possibility of retirement, but the loss to Werdum ultimately stoked his competitive fires.

In an August interview with M-1 Global's website, he hinted that a new contract with Strikeforce could last for up to four to six fights, though the terms of Emelianenko's new deal could not be verified.

IceCold48 · 01-03-2011, 03:38 PM

NEW JERSEY!!!!! two awesome shows in a five week span!!!!!

nezlam1 · 01-03-2011, 03:50 PM

Arlovski vs. Kharitonov for Feb. 12 event not Barnett

Sakara=Excitement · 01-03-2011, 03:52 PM

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Originally Posted by nezlam1

Arlovski vs. Kharitonov for Feb. 12 event not Barnett

That's exactly what I posted. Did you not read it?

mattc25 · 01-03-2011, 03:53 PM

Emelianenko vs. Silva Targeted for Feb. 12, but Deal Not Yet Done -- MMA Fighting

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Strikeforce is targeting a Feb. 12 matchup between Fedor Emelianenko and Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva, but the bout is still not a done deal, according to sources in Strikeforce as well as Emelianenko's camp.

The bout, which was first reported by Sherdog, is the intended direction if Strikeforce and Emelianenko's M-1 management agency can finalize a new deal.

A source in Emelianenko's camp told MMA Fighting that it was likely that Emelianenko's participation on the card would require that the deal be done by the end of this week, and that the two sides had several outstanding issues to deal with.

A source in Silva's camp said he has already agreed to face Emelianenko.

Strikeforce director of communications Mike Afromowitz said simply, "Nothing confirmed yet."

If the two sides can get it done, it would mark Emelianenko's return to the cage after suffering his first loss in nearly 10 years. Emelianenko was submitted by Fabricio Werdum in June.

Since then, Emelianenko's management team has been locked in contract negotiations with Strikeforce in an effort to extend a deal which was set to expire after his next fight.

The loss to Werdum snapped a record 29-fight unbeaten streak for Emelianenko (32-2, 1 no contest). The first-round triangle/arm bar loss took just 69 seconds.

MMA Fighting is saying the deal has to be done by the end of this week for the fight to happen.

IceCold48 · 01-03-2011, 03:54 PM

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Originally Posted by Sakara=Excitement

That's exactly what I posted. Did you not read it?

i think he was saying that everyone was right and barnett isnt fighting.

MickeyKnox · 01-03-2011, 03:56 PM

Wonder why Barnett is out of the picture now?

I don't want to get overly excited for this event just yet until it actually happens...

but if it does happen, WOW!!!

nezlam1 · 01-03-2011, 03:56 PM

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Originally Posted by Sakara=Excitement

That's exactly what I posted. Did you not read it?

Chill.....

nezlam1 · 01-03-2011, 03:58 PM

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Originally Posted by DayneFS

Wonder why Barnett is out of the picture now?

I don't want to get overly excited for this event just yet until it actually happens...

but if it does happen, WOW!!!

He still has a hearing for his licence next month.