Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers takes place Nov. 7 at the Sears Centre Arena in northwest suburban Hoffman Estates. In addition, there will be a live weigh-in event that will be free and open to the public.
Though not yet officially announced by Strikeforce, a representative of the promotion confirmed the weigh-in information to The Times on Friday. The weigh-ins will take place Nov. 6 at 4 p.m. and will also be at the Sears Centre Arena.
The event, Strikeforce's first in Illinois, features the promotional debut of heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, considered by many to be the top pound-for-pound fighter in mixed martial arts history. Fedor will take on unbeaten Brett Rogers in a bout likely to determine the No. 1 contender for the heavyweight title held by Allistair Overeem, who fights Sunday in Japan at the Dream 12 event. Overeem has not competed for Strikeforce in nearly two years, but CEO Scott Coker said earlier this month Overeem will fight for Strikeforce in "early 2010."
The event's four-fight main card will air live on CBS. Last month, Strikeforce announced a deal with the network to air at least four cards annually. MMA last was on prime-time network television in 2008 with the now-defunct EliteXC promotion.
Also on the televised main card will be a middleweight title fight between Jason "Mayhem" Miller and Jake Shields, who will clash for the belt vacated by former champ Cung Le, who surrendered the title to focus on his acting career. Light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi will take on Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou in a non-title fight. And Antonio Silva and Fabricio Wedrum clash in a heavyweight tilt.
The preliminary card, though not yet officially announced by Strikeforce, is expected to feature several Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana-based fighters. Portage's John Kolosci, a veteran of UFC reality show "The Ultimate Fighter," will take on Shamar Bailey, as first reported by The Times. Team Corral's Deray Davis, of Schererville, meets Mark Miller, who trains with Gilbert Grappling in Tinley Park along with Kolosci. And former WEC fighter Jeff Curran, of north suburban Island Lake, takes on Sam Thao.
In addition to the live weigh-ins the day before the card, Strikeforce is expected to hold private fighter workouts for the media on Wednesday, Nov. 4, and a press conference on Thursday at the CBS building in Chicago.
Tickets for Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers start at $35 and are available at Ticketmaster and Strikeforce.com.
