Thread: Fedor-Brock Lesnar UFC Super Match May Be a Reality

Fedor-Brock Lesnar UFC Super Match May Be a Reality
by Joe Pietaro

UFC president Dana White usually gets what he wants. And what he wants right now is to set up what will become the most highly-anticipated match-up in the history of mixed martial arts. According to longtime UFC color commentator Joe Rogan, that just might become a reality.

A guest on today’s “Opie and Anthony” satellite radio show on SiriusXM, Rogan (who is also a stand-up comedian and a ‘friend’ of the show) was asked by fellow comedian Jim Norton when Brock Lesnar will make his return in the Octagon against Shane Carwin.

“It will be on July 3, unless Lesnar fights Fedor,” Rogan responded.

This opened up an entirely new and exciting topic of the possibility of Fedor Emelianenko, arguably the best heavyweight mixed martial artist in the world, coming to UFC to face their top big man. Rogan added that White always does his best to bring the fans the fights they want to see and this is definitely one that has been the topic of discussion for some time.

“I would say the odds are 50/50 (of Fedor coming to the UFC),” said Rogan. ”With the Russian promoters, they’re tough to deal with. Anyone else and the odds would be 100 percent.”

White has gone on record as saying that Fedor has become his “obsession” but that he never negotiates with fighters that have contracts with other organizations, in this case StrikeForce/M-1 Global. On a video interview posted by Fanhouse/MMA Fighting.com this week on YouTube, White remarked, “I want it worse than the fans want it now. Believe me.”

White was very coy and spoke in general terms when the interviewer asked him about Fedor’s contract situation. White indicated that he has spoken to Fedor’s management personnel “more recent than you think.” The UFC mastermind also mentioned that the two sides, while there may not be the presence of “bad blood,” have “talked smack” to one another in the past, most likely right before Fedor, 33, signed with StrikeForce last August. At the time, Fedor was quoted as saying, “I am looking forward to going back to work and fighting at the highest level. StrikeForce is a top fight promotion that houses some of the greatest fighters in the world. I am prepared to fight any of them.”

Known as “The Last Emperor,” Fedor has a professional MMA 31-1-0 record, with the one defeat of the controversial variety. On December 22, 2000, he sustained a cut at the beginning of the first round versus Tsuyoshi Kohsaka in Osaka, Japan. The fight was stopped and the official decision was a TKO for Kohsaka. At 6′3″ and 220 pounds, the native of Russia would be giving up an inch in height and 45 pounds in weight to the 32-year-old Lesnar.

The Minnesotan will be making a comeback after having to sit out since pounding Frank Mir at UFC 100 on July 11, 2009. Lesnar suffered an illness first diagnosed as mononucleosis, but was later discovered to be a serious case of diverticulitis. Because of a perforated intestine, Lesnar suffered many ailments, with mono being the least of his problems. Lesnar underwent surgery last November and all told, lost approximately 40 pounds.

Both he and White apeared on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” in January announcing that Lesnar was back in training and had put back 30 pounds of the weight he lost while being sick and his subsequent convalescence. He is still considered the UFC Heavyweight Champion and was scheduled to fight either Carwin or Mir to unify the titles. In March, Carwin won the interim championship by defeating Mir in New Jersey at UFC 111.

But now with these recent developments, that all may change – for the better. White wouldn’t have it any other way.

MuscleSport Mag has contacted StrikeForce for a response and to ascertain the status of Fedor’s contract. We will do a follow-up once a reply is sent.

source

I would love to see this happen.

I think Lesnar can beat Fedor. But I'm not completely confident in saying that.