What a fight.
Those are the only three words that can be used to describe the explosive main event that emanated from the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois between legendary fighters Fedor Emelianenko and Dan Henderson.
Pundits agreed that it was likely the two would bring the artillery, but few imagined just how much ammo both had in their tank.
From the opening bell Emelianenko rushed the centre of the cage, throwing heavy leather and landing big shots.
Henderson was not to be outdone and brought much of the same, forcing the crowd into an uproar. The two legends came to entertain and produced a masterpiece of a fight.
As the round was entering its fifth minute, Emelianenko put together a solid combination of punches that hurt Henderson, sending him down. When Emelianenko went to capitalize, Henderson popped out the back, landing a sneaky uppercut, dropping the all-time great.
Emelianenko went down to the mat and looked hurt as referee Herb Dean rushed in to call the fight, giving Henderson the monumental win.
The loss marks three straight for Emelianenko and more than likely his ticket out of Strikeforce.
In the co-main event, Marloes Coenen took on Meisha Tate in an attempt to defend her 135lb. championship.
As expected early, Tate used her wrestling to put the fight on the mat. Coenen, known for impressive submissions from her back, worked hard to reverse position and out grapple Tate, however struggled to gain advantageous positions.
Coenen took back control for most of the third, coming close to a rear naked choke on multiple attempts to no avail.
The fourth saw Tate kick things up a notch, going on the offensive and really pushing the pace. Tate shocked MMA fans around the world by submitting Coenen, who is widely regarded as one of the best female submission mixed martial artists on the planet.
Tim Kennedy continued his purge towards a rematch with middleweight champion Ronaldo Souza with an impressive unanimous decision victory over Robbie Lawler. His ability to mix up his striking game and integrate his wrestling proved too much for the MMA veteran.
Paul Daley did his best to fend off the young up and coming Tyron Woodley, but a lack of wrestling and ability to fend from the clinch cost the former title contender.
Daley tried to tee off, but Woodley showed impressive boxing and defence, getting to the inside and slowing the pace. It may not have been the most thrilling fight, but Woodley did enough to take a unanimous decision.
In a dismal performance, Scott Smith was thoroughly outworked by the younger, faster and better Tarec Saffiedine.
Through three rounds Smith looked flat, unable to pull the trigger and leaning against the cage while Saffiedine teed off. A late rally attempt came up short and Saffiedine took a unanimous dominant decision.
Main Card
Dan Henderson def. Fedor Emelianenko via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:12
Miesha Tate def. Marloes Coenen via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 4, 3:03 (to become new women’s bantamweight champion)
Tim Kennedy def. Robbie Lawler via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Tyron Woodley def. Paul Daley via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Tarec Saffiedine def. Scott Smith via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Preliminary Card
Gesias Cavalcante def. Bobby Green via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Tyler Stinson def. Eduardo Pamplona via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:15
Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Derek Brunson def. Lumumba Sayers via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:33
Gabriel Salinas-Jones def. Bryan Humes via submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 3, 1:19
