Emelianenko Now a November Prospect

Debated pound-for-pound pummel artist Fedor Emelianenko -- who hasn’t competed since sending Andrei Arlovski into previously-undiscovered stage-six sleep last January -- is now being considered for a November Strikeforce debut, according to comments made by Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker to various media outlets over the weekend.

That would seat the Russian’s appearance comfortably between an October 24 UFC event in Los Angeles and any end-of-year programs they have slated. Coker also shot down reports the promotion was considering former UFC champion Ricco Rodriguez as an opponent, which should do wonders to instantly restore whatever credibility was lost when that rumor made the rounds.

Rodriguez himself either heard that drum or started beating it on his own, telling the UK’s Fighter’s Only that “I've had my ups and downs, but right now I am 240 and in five weeks I'll be 220 competing at Abu Dhabi…I'm in great shape and I would last longer than Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski combined.”

Maybe so. But fighting is -- or should be -- a hierarchy. Allowing Rodriguez to stroll in and contend for Emelianenko’s unofficial toughest-guy-ever title when he hasn’t beat a ranked opponent in seven years isn’t matchmaking. It’s charity.