It will not go down as Strikeforce’s most exciting overall card by a longshot, but its main-event did provide a compelling conclusion.
Saturday’s event built towards a long-hyped Dan Henderson vs. Fedor Emelianenko fight. Emelianenko, entering the fight on the first losing streak of his career, was looking to prove he could still make an impact after disillusionment at the hands of Fabricio Werdum and Antonio Silva.
Henderson, giving up size to the heavyweight, was working to prove his power is enough to put anyone to sleep.
After a back-and-forth first round, it was Henderson who got what he wanted. In a very exciting closing exchange, Fedor dropped Henderson to the mat with punches and pounced for the follow-up. Henderson, however, slipped out the back and got to his feet, taking control of Fedor’s back in the process. He delivered a big right uppercut from behind that instantly dropped Emelianenko, and he followed up with shots until getting the stoppage.
Fedor argued that it was an early stoppage, but at the time referee Herb Dean made the call to step in, the legendary fighter definitely looked out.
Also on the show: Miesha Tate defeated Marloes Coenen via an arm triangle to claim the women’s Bantamweight Championship, Tim Kennedy out-grinded Robbie Lawler for a decision victory, Tyron Woodley’s wrestling, though not as effective as many forecast, was enough to win a decision over Paul Daley, and Tarec Saffiediene out-pointed Scott Smith.
Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson Results
Gabriel Salinas-Jones b. Bryan Humes via submission (D’Arce) at 1:19 of Round Three
Derek Brunson b. Lumumba Sayers via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:33 of Round One
Alexis Davis b. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Tyler Stinson b. Eduardo Pamplona via KO (punch) at :15 of Round One
Gesias Cavalcante b. Bobby Green via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Tarec Saffiediene b. Scott Smith via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Tyron Woodley b. Paul Daley via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Tim Kennedy b. Robbie Lawler via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Miesha Tate b. Marloes Coenen via submission (arm triangle) at 3:03 of Round Four
Dan Henderson b. Fedor Emelianenko via TKO (punches) at 4:12 of Round One
