Fedor could be out for four to six months
Emelianenko, 33, also is dealing with health issues. He suffered a fracture and tendon damage in his left thumb, and…
Emelianenko, 33, also is dealing with health issues. He suffered a fracture and tendon damage in his left thumb, and a fractured nose in the Rogers fight, Coker said. Emelianenko stopped in Los Angeles on Monday to be treated for the injuries.
“[The hand injury] could’ve been from that blow when he had Brett on the mat at the end,” Coker said. “We’re hearing he could be out for four to six months.”
Coker will use Emelianenko’s layoff to boost name recognition in the U.S. of Strikeforce’s heavyweight champion, Alistair Overeem, 29, an MMA veteran with a 31-11 record that includes losses to former UFC light-heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell and current UFC contender Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
England’s Overeem will headline a Strikeforce card on Showtime early next year, and he is the favorite to be Emelianenko’s next foe, Coker said.
Meanwhile, public clamor for an Emelianenko-Lesnar bout is being noticed by promoters.