"Fedor is a legend. If you want to become a legend you have to fight a legend and you have to beat a legend. I was hoping that he was asked to be a legend by his management and would want to fight the champion, because he's not the champion in Strikeforce. I was thinking and hoping he would like to have this fight. His management declined. Of course, it's sort of disappointment. Maybe for the better reason, I don't know. This gave me a good comeback with Brett Rogers and gave me some cage experience, which I didn't have for two and a half years. Maybe it's for the better. Maybe it's meant to be like this."

 - Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem reflects on facing Brett Rogers instead of his desired opponent Fedor Emelianenko, while remaining optimistic about what the future may bring.