Fedor to Fight On WCBI
HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL--- Fedor Emelianenko is ready for his close-up.
The Russian mixed martial artist will no longer be his sport's
least-seen superstar after Saturday night, when CBS showcases his
Strikeforce debut against Brett Rogers to a national audience.
The scrappy Bay Area promotions company signed Emelianenko this
summer when UFC balked at his demands. Strikeforce then struck a
deal to put him on the Tiffany Network, which still believes this
nascent sport can keep coveted young male viewers glued to
televisions on a traditionally dead night for networks.
The marriage has been smooth so far, but executives with both
companies are eagerly waiting to see whether Emelianenko can
outdraw Kimbo Slice, who briefly became a CBS star last year.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
