White: Fedor Cut from Strikeforce
According to Dana White, Fedor Emelianenko is done with
Strikeforce. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
Fedor Emelianenko’s time as a Strikeforce heavyweight is apparently over.
UFC President Dana White on Thursday confirmed rumors that the former Pride Fighting Championships heavyweight king will be cut from Strikeforce following his third consecutive defeat in the promotion. White verified the news to several media outlets following the UFC 133 press conference in Philadelphia.
Once considered by many to be the sport’s top heavyweight, Emelianenko has fallen on hard times of late. Following a 28-fight unbeaten streak, “The Last Emperor” posted just a 1-3 record inside the Strikeforce cage.
In June 2010, he suffered his first defeat in nine years, tapping to a Fabricio Werdum triangle armbar. The Russian was next battered and beaten by the massive Antonio Silva in February, eliminating him from Strikeforce’s ongoing heavyweight grand prix. Finally, just days ago, Emelianenko was knocked out by current 205-pound Strikeforce champion Dan Henderson at the end of a wild first round that saw both men staggered by power punches.
Emelianenko joins Golden Glory competitors Valentijn Overeem, John Olav Einemo, Marloes Coenen and former Strikeforce heavyweight titleholder Alistair Overeem on the list of Zuffa’s latest exiles. The 34-year-old Emelianenko holds notable wins over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia.
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