Many MMA fans are of an age that they grew up watching Rocky IV and similarly themed Cold War movies, but that doesn't change the fact that on the three occasions when Russia's Fedor Emelianenko has fought on American soil, he's been warmly received by the crowd.But on Monday, I asked both Fedor and his upcoming opponent, Brett Rogers, whether that could change when they step into the cage together on Saturday night. After all, Rogers was born in Chicago, only about 30 miles from where Saturday's fight will take place, and Fedor has been subjected to something of a backlash from American fans who are disappointed that he decided not to sign with the UFC. Both fighters said they expect the crowd to be split.
"I hope the fans cheer me on, especially knowing that I'm from there," Rogers said. "I've got a lot of people coming out to support me, but maybe it's going to be 50-50, I don't know."
Fedor noted that he has plenty of fans -- including fans from the Russian-American community -- in Chicago. But he said he realizes that a lot of Chicagoans will get behind Rogers.
"A lot of people will come and support Brett Rogers," Fedor said. "I understand that. Certainly, Chicago is his birthplace so a lot of people will come to support him. I understand that. I do have some experience fighting where the audience supported my opponent."
The issue with Fedor's refusal to sign with the UFC is more complicated, and Fedor said he hopes fans realize that.
"As for the UFC and my fans being disappointed that I didn't sign with the UFC, I think it would be good if they would understand I couldn't sign a one-sided contract with the UFC," Fedor said. "My managers and I believe we deserve a little bit more."
My own opinion is that Fedor will get louder cheers from the fans than Rogers does on Saturday. Rogers isn't well known as a homegrown talent among Chicago MMA fans, and the types of fans who would boo Fedor for refusing to sign with the UFC probably just won't show up. Fedor is the real star of this show, and I think that's how the fans will treat him.
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
This guy needs to get booed out of America. He and his small organization M1 want to co-promote with the UFC? That's the sickest joke I have seen. It's insulting. The sheeple will probably cheer him but once he is knocked out, he'll be begging Dana White for 1/10th of a contract he was offered. Of course, Dana will not pick up the phone and call Rogers instead!
Rogers vs. Carwin or Lesnar would be huge.
War Fedor!!!!
exp.. you're a funny guy.. always trolling for the fedor articles, huh? hahahaha..
p.s. no disrespect.. but your posts are retarded buddy.. fedor never had to prove chit.. it's the other fighters who have to prove themselves against the last emperor..
There you go again. Using the retard word. Everybody has to prove themselves. Everyone. You hear me. You have to prove yourself each and every fight. If you don't have to prove yourself, then anybody can call themselves the best fighter in the world. Of course, I am not surprised by your argument. You Fedor fan boys are intellectually bankrupt.
hahaha.. still trolling, i see..
Yo Exp, how many of these so called "die hard" Fedora fans will still support him after his K.O. loss? Or do you think they'll jump the good ship lollipop and slowly weasel into a "Brett Rogers for life" fan? (You know the type..."Oh I ALWAYS liked Rogers"....just to try to hide the fact that they are just band wagon jock riders?)
These are sheeple man. They'll support anyone who Joe Rogan or Frank Shamrock tells them to support. These people can't think. Fedor will definitely be out of my top 25 pound for pound if he loses. In fact, he'll be without a legit win in his last 8 fights. That should be the end of it for then. I am sure Fedor's going to argue that he was married and his wife wanted honeymoon and all that.
If Fedor were to lose, it would be the only legit loss of his career. I can't speak for all Fedor fans, but I would give Rogers his due and look forward to Fedor's next fight.
Is it possible that Rogers will win? Yes, but it's more likely that we'll see a fight similar to Fedor vs Sylvia. I see Rogers being caught off guard by Fedor's speed and power, getting stunned by punches, and being submitted eaily. That's my prediction.
I'm never going to jump ship, and I'll never understand the "Fedor haters". There isn't a more humble champion in all of sports.
Even if Rodgers is able to beat fedor (which I really really dont think is possible) Fedor would still be the best in MMA, right now he is undefeated with 30 wins only 7 of which have went to decision, all the rest have been ko or submission. Even a loss would only make him 30-1 which is still far better than any other fighter out there. Everyone can be beaten and he may eventually loose but when that day comes he will still be the best in mma. One loss and 30 wins would still be better than the other 99% of MMA fighters.
If Fedor is undefeated, so is Brock Lesnar. You are a joke sir. Fedor has already lost. Controversial or not. But this just goes on to show you people won't count Fedor's losses and are completely brain washed by the media.
I feel sad for you. If you feel this way about Fedor, god knows how you feel about more important things in life. No wonder our country, our world is going to hell. It's because of people like you.
Fedor is an MMA God. Rogers is not good.. all of his wins were over no name people except Andre Arlovski. His "highlight reel" is the biggest joke I've seen. Can not wait until Saturday when Fedor beats the living hell out of that ape.
rogers has about zero chance against fedor on the ground, which is where i see fedor winning.
eric and mmorp, you guys are very kind not to mention to exp what an idiot he is. i'll follow your example and not mention it either.
exp how could people be brain washed by the media when Fedor hasnt gotten hardly any media attention? And what do you mean by losses? There was only one that was do to a cut from an illegal attack that is thrown out by Fedor fans and non Fedor fans alike, you are the first person I have ever seen not to do so. And when you said
" If you feel this way about Fedor, god knows how you feel about more important things in life. No wonder our country, our world is going to hell. It's because of people like you."
All I can say to that is WOW I have no idea how to respond to that because it really seems like your way of thinking is way out there, how could you relate being a fan of mma to life choices? That would be like saying people that are fans for certain NFL teams are bad people wouldn't it?
You know exactly what I mean. You like Fedor because Frank Shamrock thinks he is cool. That's the only reason you could be so blindly in love with a fat guy who can't fight and shouldn't even be on P4P list for dodging.
As far as some people routing for some teams being bad for the world. Yes. I do believe that how you think about these non important matters gives us a good indication how you think in real life. But you may be different.
Listen. If you truly believe Fedor is the best fighter in history, may be you believe the 9/11 planes were holograms. I mean not my kind of thing but I can understand.
And to the guy next (@lannahc22), now you are wishing me to drink bleach and die? Is that what it comes down to now? So I should go and die because I don't like Fedor?
I am a fan of Fedor because I think he is the best fighter in the mma, not because someone else likes him. Dodging? he has fought the best fighters in their prime and beat them. Dont fall for the hype that the ufc has all of the best fighters, it just happens to be the most popular right now. Fedor isnt dodging just because he didnt sign with them, he didnt like the contract, no different then a player in the NFL sitting out when they dont like the contract. And most mma fans and the fighters all agree that Fedor is the best, in about 99% of all interveiws with fighters that I have seen they say that Fedor is the best in the world. So I ask you this exp, do you know more about fighting than the actual fighters?
Sheeple. All you have to say about you. Anderson Silva talks about Fedor being better because he is mad at Dana. Lyoto Machida said that Lesnar and Silva would destroy Fedor. And I have a brain and can see Fedor has fought tomato cans in his last 7 fights. I guess Zulu in his prime is somebody that only a god can beat right? And how about the 14 feet Hong Man Choi. Scary stuff. haha. Fedor's a joke. I mean sure believing Rogan makes it easier for you to spend more time watching dancing with the stars instead of reading a book.
Fedor can be the best fighter in the world in MMA's worst division. It's not about the UFC. It's not about Lesnar. Carwin or however. So get over yourself. I am sure when you wrote that piece you thought I was going to bow down and start worshiping Fedor too. haha.
I honestly believe people like you are what's wrong with the world today. Just think for yourself.
Im not gonna argue with you exp since thats what you are after but I do want to provide a little proof for you so here are links to interveiws of fighters saying who is the best p4p in the world and ill leave it at that. I would definatlly never stoop down to your level and claim that someones personal opinion of a sport is whats wrong with the world today, and then claim that people should think for them selfs. so here goes.
BJ Penn http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6V5Pf1sR5M
Bas and several other fighters including shogun, and GSP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40kDJsw8dwU
A few more fighters including andre arvloski http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3EmNPw2Dvk
There are tons more interviews but I wont list them all. exp remember thou that everyone is entitled to an opinion , and respect as well. So im not going to bash you for not agreeing with me thats your right to think what you will.
I refuse to waste my time with a sheeple like you. You obviously don't have a mind of your own and can only repeat what Bus Rutten or whoever is saying about Fedor. I am sorry but that's just not a good argument. Do I care what Bus Rutten thinks? No. Just like I don't care what Frank Shamrock thinks. Oh and you can't take what people said like 50 years ago and use it today. Fedor has dodged good fighters for a couple of years now. He may have been something a few years ago but no more.
And this won't matter. Fedor will get knocked out and you'll still say he is pound for pound the best. So what's the point in arguing.
Yes. You sheeple (not you specifically) are why we are in the mess we are in today. You don't think. You need some nanny to tell you what to think. I am not trying to insult you but rather encourage you to free your mind and either make a better argument or just jump off the bandwagon.
exp please do the world a favor and drink a gallon of bleach...thanx
exp do uss all a favor and go drink a gallon of drano you douche