The Strikeforce: "Fedor vs. Rogers" prime time mixed martial arts event airing live on CBS from the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, has come to a close.
So too, has the undefeated streak of Brett Rogers, after succumbing to a brutal right hook from Fedor Emelianenko in the early moments of round two of the main event.
It wasn't the landslide some predicted, as "The Grim" was tougher than a two-dollar steak, even busting the Russian open with a stinging jab in the first round.
Rogers also avoided multiple submission attempts from Emelianenko by way of brute strength -- and even had mount on the former PRIDE champ with some accurate bomb-dropping.
Just another day at the office for Captain WAMMA.
Emelianenko will likely face Fabricio Werdum for a chance to challenge the missing-in-action Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.
Assuming the title is not vacated first.
Marloes Coenen started things off by trying to prove that her previous loss to Roxanne Modafferi was a fluke and that she was a much different, much more dangerous fighter.
Mission accomplished.
Coenen made quick work of her opponent with crisp stand-up and a painful armbar that sent Modafferi to tapsville just over a minute into the first.
Expect her to challenge current women's champion Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos sooner rather than later.
Antonio Silva came to the cage with a big foot and a big heart, but it wasn't enough to sway the judges in his unanimous decision loss to Fabricio Werdum. "Junior" was smashing his way through the first round with heavy hands and the killer instinct, but "Vai Cavalo" survived and eventually turned the tide midway through the fight.
Though both fighters appeared to be exhausted by the third frame, Werdum was the busier of the two, ending the fight in a dominant position and leaving an indellible impression on the judges.
No doubt he'll be calling the Emelianenko camp first thing in the morning.
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou says he's from the jungle, which could explain why he has the heart of a lion. Despite being outclassed on his feet and on the ground, "The African Assassin" kept his composure and for once used his vaunted Judo skills to advance position in a fight.
Mousasi went for several takedown attempts that were reversed; however, it wasn't enough to stop the seemingly unstoppable "Dreamcatcher."
Turns out he didn't need to put his championship belt on the line in this one -- but rest assured there exists a crop of 205-pounders who won't let him get away with that in the future.
But if Mousasi fights like he did in his past two fights it probably won't matter.
What does matter to Jason Miller is putting on a show -- as was obvious to anyone watching his entertaining entrance production. Hearing the pop for "Mayhem" and the roar of his "Monkeys" once again had me wondering aloud why he wasn't promoted at all during the 360 special on Showtime.
Perhaps they knew he was going to give this one away to the slick submission skills of Jake Shields? The former Elite XC welterweight champ continued to roll through any and all challengers, though he wasn't completely out of danger during the contest.
Miller stunned the grappling wizard with a DEEP rear naked choke in the waning seconds of the third frame. The Gracie disciple was mere seconds from napsville but the horn saved him from a shocking submission defeat.
Jake Shields is your new Strikeforce Middleweight Champion.
Who's next at 185-pounds to challenge him for the gold? If Cung Le does return in December, he may eventually seek what many believe is still rightfully his.
Now that the first Strikeforce CBS prime time show is in the books, what did you think of the production? The fights? You've heard what I had to say on the night's festivities, now I want to hear from you.
If you missed any of the action you can check out the Strikeforce: "Fedor vs. Rogers" play-by-play and live fight coverage here.
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