Pros Pick: Fedor vs. Rogers

Mike SloanNov 05, 2009
Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Fedor is a lock with the pros.
James Zikic: Fedor, first-round TKO. No doubt!

Ryan White: This is going to be a slugfest, but I think Fedor will win by KO.

Billy MacDonald: Fedor wins easy (via) KO in round one. Next up: Bigfoot Silva or Overeem.

Robin Black: I am leery to say this -- I have honestly received e-mail death threats for saying stuff like this -- but I am one of those jerks that thinks the whole Fedor myth has been blown WAY out of proportion. He's just a man. He's not unbeatable. But he will beat Brett Rogers handily and early. Fedor isn't the indestructible demigod that obsessive fans have made him out to be, but he is too much for Brett Rogers. Fedor in the first.

Thomas Denny: I like the black man in this fight. I think he will let his blackness out, and it will reign supreme. Huge upset: Brett Rogers TKO in round one. Too big, too strong, too hungry!

Ben Saunders: I am gonna go with Mr. Rogers on this one. I think he has skill and power to back it up. Only thing I have yet to see is his takedown defense, clinch work and ground skills. But if he can keep this fight standing, I believe he has the chance to knock Fedor out.

Kit Cope: Not that I don't think Rogers is legit, but I see Fedor ending this one in standard Fedor fashion. Rogers, however, poses the "puncher's chance" threat and he's a quick starter, so I predict Fedor moves with him a little, possibly leading to takedown and submission.

Tom Gavrilos: Fedor by any way he feels like ending it. This will not make it to decision. This fight is a serious mismatch.

Jamie Varner: Fedor by domination!

Stav Economou: Fedor by any way he wishes in the first round.

Ray Elbe: Ever been to Russia? The weather is freezing, the girls are expensive and the Vodka is cheap. That's what we call a nation with a fighting tradition. Fedor by Rogers dropping the soap, some time in the second round.

Bill Mesi: Fedor is hands down my favorite fighter; I have him tattooed on my thigh. The one thing I hate about him still fighting is the fact that no matter who he fights, his critics are always quick to say that Fedor fights nobodies and this fight is no different. If Fedor beats Brett, it will be just another no-name heavyweight that he’s beaten. On the other hand, if Rogers wins, Fedor will look bad and the rag on the emperor train will begin. If I had my way, Fedor should’ve retired on the top when he beat (Arlovski). I think Rogers possesses the patience, strength and shot power to hurt Fedor, so I’m really on the fence with this one. Watching Fedor’s last fight, I think a huge hole was uncovered: leg kicks and straight shots stump the champ. I’m going with Fedor on this one, but if Brett wins, I’ll be crushed. And mark my words: Win or lose, the Fedor haters will cease to realize he’s the most complete fighter light to heavy, hands down.

Mike Ciesnolevicz: I'm really pumped because I’m gonna be cageside at this fight. I think Fedor wins this fight on skill and experience, probably by an armbar or rear choke. Rogers has an outside chance at landing a big shot like Fujita nearly did to Fedor, but it's not likely. Fedor is hard to bet against by looking at his track record.

Mike Dolce: How do you pick against Fedor? Simple ... you don't! I think Brett Rogers is a big, strong, hard-hitting mofo, but Fedor is all that AND a bag of chips. Fedor via submission in round one.

Elvis Sinosic: The logical choice is to pick Fedor. He has had more fights, faced more higher quality opponents and has had numerous title fights and defenses. Fedor is very well-rounded: He can strike, takedown and grapple and all at a high level. He has the ability to find his opponent’s weakness and exploit it. Brett Rogers is a very dangerous opponent. He has heavy hands and finishes his opponents. The big problem is that we have not seen all of Rogers’ game. A lot of what he has to offer is unknown or speculation. This makes him dangerous. I predict Fedor will take the fight, most likely set up his takedowns with strikes and then work his ground-and-pound, looking for a TKO or submission. Fedor needs to be careful, though, as Brett has the ability to turn the match around with a single blow. If Fedor is careless or underestimates him, this could end badly for him. Rogers is coming in prepared and fired up. Fedor is the better fighter and should take this match. Fedor wins this.

Pros who picked Fedor: 27
Pros who picked Rogers: 4
Pros who couldn’t decide: 1


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