Fedor to UFC?

A story posted today(http://www.sbnation.com/2010/3/1/1331361/fedor-emelianenko-hold) states that Fedor Emelianenko's management company M-1 global is having problems with Strikeforce. The story states that M-1 and Strikeforce are unable to agree on co-promotion terms and states that M-1 will not allow Fedor to fight for Strikeforce again without a new contract. Now I'm sure this will work itself out and Fedor will fight Fabricio Werdum in May as planed, but lets just take a walk down fantasy land for a moment and discuss the possible outcomes and what it could mean for us MMA fans.

First, it could mean nothing but Fedor going back to Japan and fighting cans to pad his record and retire in obscurity. I really hope this doesnt happen, but unfortunately with Fedor's travels after Pride it is a very real possiblity.

The second option is he could go to Japan and fight Alistar Overeem and Josh Barnett. This option is interesting because the Josh Barnett is a fight that fans have wanted for years but has never materialized due to many different reasons including injuries, losses and a positive steroid test. The Alistar fight is interesting cause he is a really big, really skilled striker who can give Fedor a run for his money in the stand-up both technically and for a power perspective. I think both of these fights would give Fedor two solid wins and increase his legend to the true fans of the sport.

The third, and the choice that all of us MMA fans hope for, is Fedor finally coming to the UFC and fighting all the fights that people have been clamoring for for years. I will break down the fights and his path to the UFC title that I believe he should follow.

His first fight in the UFC should be a rematch between Fedor and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. This fight should play out very similiar to their first fights but this time with a finish from Fedor. Fedor over Nogueria KO round 2.

His second fight should be against Brock Lesnar for the UFC heavyweight title. This fight is intersting because Fedor has shown in the past a tendancy to be taken down and has absorbed damage from the bottom. However, Lesnar has not really shown knockout power or seriously damaging ground and pound. The two instances of Lesnar finishing a fight in the UFC have come agains the not really durable Frank Mir and the battleworn and depleted Randy Couture. I feel that while it may seem for a round or two that Fedor may be in trouble, I believe that Fedor will eventually catch him standing or submit him from the bottom. So, as the saying goes, Fedor by armbar round 4.

After Fedor wins this fight he will be without a doubt the greatest heavyweight of all time. While all of this may never happen, we can all dream right?