MMA Mailbag #2: Henderson/Fedor, Spiritwolf/Jara Video, HWGP Drug Screening

Added on Mar 10, 2011 by John Petit in

UFC & MMA

MMA Mailbag #2

Is Fedor Emelianenko going to drop down to 205 and fight Dan Henderson, and how do you think it will play out?

Dan Henderson has been wanting to fight Fedor for years, and it seems now might be good time. I am only saying this because Strikeforce is interested in a pay-per-view later this year, and they need Fedor if they are going to have any success. That said, Fedor is 34 years old, and he has fought as a heavyweight his entire career. Fedor isn’t a yoked fighter with a six pack, and him cutting down 25 pounds and having to go through a weight cut for the first time seems improbable to me. If this fight happens, it will either happen as a heavyweight bout, or a catchweight. I think it would be a much better fight if it happened at heavyweight then a 205lb fight. As of right now, Scott Coker is saying they are thinking about it, and Fedor’s management is saying they have not been approached with this fight.

I don’t like this fight in general because Fedor only has a few fights left in him, and I think there are solid fights for him to take at heavyweight. You can even pair him up with a loser from one of the HWGP fights. Also, Henderson’s belt will be on the shelf for a solid chunk of the year, and there are great fights at 205 for him. It just doesn’t make a lot of sense.

My Pick: If Fedor has to cut to 205, I could only assume it would be rough for Fedor, and Hendo would have an advantage on fight night. At Heavyweight, Fedor round 1 TKO.

Waachiim Spiritwolf and Jamie Jara fought this weekend at Bellator and everyone is saying it was the fight of the night, and was a crazy fight to watch. Is Bellator going to put the fight on line?

Yes, it was crazy! I did not see the fight, but I have read the play by plays and I really hope Bellator puts the fight up somewhere. What I do have for you is a teaser that Bellator put up online today, and you can watch it below. It should give you a good idea on how the fight went. If you noticed the stained cage floor durring the event that was on MTV2, this fight was the reason why. Its a short clip, and I have sent an email to Bellator to please release it, because people keep asking me about it.

Strikeforce is saying that the final fights for the Heavyweight Grand Prix will take place in Texas. The last time they were in Texas, none of the fighters were tested for steroids/PED’s, even though there were past offenders fighting. Are they going to test the fighters? More specifically, are they going to test Josh Barnett?

As predicted in my first piece about the HWGP, yes the final two fights will be taking place in Texas, and I am willing to bet it has alot to do with the fact that Barnett can’t get licensed to fight in California. Usually when a state like California or Nevada, denies a fighter a license, most states respect their decision and will do the same. All said and done, I don’t have an answer to your question. However, I sent an email to the Athletic Commission in Texas, and asked them. In the email I was specific and named Josh Barnett. Here is the reply from Susan Stanford/ Public Information Officer.

TDLR has not received the card for the upcoming Strikeforce event; therefore, I can’t comment on who will be on the card.

TDLR can require drug testing under Texas Combative Sports rule, 16 Texas Administrative Code 61.30(p), ” The executive director, or his designee, may require of a contestant, neurological or other medical testing.”

I am unable to comment on whether or not random drug testing will be performed.

Thank you.

I think the integrity of Strikeforce’s HWGP in jeopardy if these fighters aren’t tested. Barnnett himself is a repeat offender, and I will have a huge problem with this tournament if they don’t take the necessary steps to make it a level playing field. Most states automatically test repeat offenders even if they just do random tests. If the state isn’t testing the fighters, I hope Strikeforce steps up and tests them.