Strikeforce Fedor vs. Rogers predictions: Fedor, Shields, Werdum and Mousasi will submit opponents

November 5, 8:33 PMMixed Martial Arts ExaminerEddie Graveline

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Fedor Emelianenko looking confident going into the Rogers fight (photo: Sherdog.com)

I  may have said the same thing in August about the Strikeforce: "Carano vs. Cyborg," event, but I'm going to say it again about this weekend's Strikeforce: "Fedor vs. Rogers." This is definitely the best non-UFC fight card of the year and possibly the best period. There are four huge fights on the main card that I'd like to break down now, before they air live Saturday night on CBS

Heavyweights--Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers: Brett "The Grim" Rogers became a huge blip on the heavyweight division radar with a quick knockout of Andre Arlovski over the summer. Rogers' power has never been questioned and there's no denying the fact that he possesses the ability to drop Fedor, should he have the opportunity. But let's be realistic about this. Rogers has never fought anyone like Fedor, while Fedor has fought lots of guys who are bigger than him and punch really hard. As a matter of fact, Fedor has used guys very similar to Brett Rogers to create the aura of invincibility that surrounds him. With a record of 30-1, you just don't pick against Fedor, but especially in this fight. The enigmatic Russian has a lot riding on this one. It's his first in a new contract with Strikeforce. It's also on network TV, where he has the opportunity to go straight from being a name only understood by hardcore MMA followers to one that is talked about at every water cooler in America. The question is not if Fedor wins, but how. Prediction: Fedor Emelianenko by submission.

Strikeforce Middleweight Championship--Jake Shields vs. Jason Miller: I absolutely love this match-up. Both of these fighters are world-class competitors, but neither is well-known by casual MMA fans. That's about to change. Both Miller and Shields have excellent submission skills, but I would give a slight edge to Shields, who holds a black belt under Caesar Gracie. I would probably give Miller the nod in the striking department, although I would point out the fact that Shields' is very underrated. At this point, I could write a well-supported statement about why either one will win this fight, but my opinion comes down to a hunch. I just think it's Shields' time right now. Prediction: Jake Shields by submission. 

Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship--Gegard Mousasi vs. Thierry Sokoudjou: If Mousasi decides to stand up and strike with Sokoudjou, this is going to be a very exciting battle. That's really Sokoudjou's only hope, though. His career got off track with a brief-yet-unsuccessful stint in the UFC, but he's turned it around nicely with good performances in Japan. Mousasi is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world right now, though, and has a much bigger tool box than the "African Assasin." Mousasi can win this by submission or knockout. My guess is that he'll set up a submission with his striking skills. Prediction: Gegard Mousasi by submission.

Heavyweights--Antonio Silva vs. Fabricio Werdum: This bout could easily determine who fights Fedor next. It might also determine who gets the first shot at Alistair Overeem's Strikeforce Heavyweight belt. Either way, it looks like it should be a doozy. Werdum is coming off of a very solid performance in August, where he submitted a respected journeyman in Mike Kyle. Silva is making his first appearance since being suspended for failing a drug test administered by the California State Athletic Commission last year. Silva is a very big guy with decent striking skills. Werdum is not quite as big, but doesn't give up a ton of size. Anything he lacks in stature, however, he more than makes up with his Jiu Jitsu skills. Werdum is one of the best submission fighters in the heavyweight division and like Fedor, he's got a habit of beating big guys with lots of punching power. Unless Silva can keep Werdum from taking him down (unlikely), he doesn't have much of a chance in this one. Prediction: Fabricio Werdum by submission.

Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers
Examiner	Winner	For More...
Scott Heritage Pittsburgh Fight Sports	Fedor 1st Round TKO	StrikeForce: Fedor vs. Rogers predictions
Joseph Bourelly Oakland Fight Sports	Fedor	The time for Fedor - Rogers is upon us
Chris DeLine Minneapolis MMA	Fedor 1st Round Submission	Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers preview and predictions
Eddie Graveline Mixed Martial Arts	Fedor Submission	Strikeforce Fedor vs. Rogers predictions: Fedor, Shields, Werdum and Mousasi will submit opponents
Chris Garcia Las Vegas MMA	Fedor Submission	Strikeforce: Fedor vs Rogers preview
Doug Drexler Tampa MMA	Fedor 1st Round Submission	Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers - Previews and predictions