The most important fight of the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva event is easily the main event: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Silva. "The Last Emperor" looking for redemption against American Top Team heavyweight bruiser "Bigfoot".
Strikeforce: Fedor Vs. Silva Fight Card Preview: Fedor Emelianenko Vs. Antonio Silva
After his only true loss last June to Fabricio Werdum, Fedor Emelianeko is looking to quickly rebound by taking on another Brazilian. He enters this bout 34 years old. He stands 6 feet tall and has a 74 inch reach and weighed in at 230 pounds. This is matters get interesting: Silva is 31 years old, stands 6 feet 4 inches tall and has a 82 inch reach. He weighed in yesterday at 264 pounds but most expect him to be north of 275 pounds today.
In terms of their recent opposition, Fedor was submitted by Fabricio Werdum, kocked out Brett Rogers and knocked out Andrei Arlovski at Affliction. Antonio Silva, by contrast, recently defeated Mike Kyle by TKO and Andrei Arlovski by decision. Strangely, he, too, has a loss to Fabricio Werdum, but that loss is by submission.
Does Antonio Silva have a chance to defeat the great Emelianenko? Yes, but the odds are not in his favor. Emelianenko is a natural light heavyweight or middleweight competing at heavyweight. Consequently, he's got exceptional speed and explosion for a heavyweight, something we saw Mike Kyle use against Silva effectively in the first round of their fight. As long as this stays standing, this is Fedor's fight to lose even if we grant Silva is a very capable striker.
On the ground is where Bigfoot can win. He needs to use his superior size to lean on Emelianenko, unleashing his powerful ground and pound. Fedor has excellent hips underneath, but the jiu-jitsu black belt should have enough submission defense to hold his own.
If Silva wins, he’ll face with Fabricio Werdum or Alistair Overeem. It would be a massive upset and greatly tilt the balance of power in the heavyweight division. If Emelianenko wins, he, too would face either Overeem or Werdum, setting up a rematch or one of the most highly-anticipated fights at heavyweight in sometime.
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