Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva: 5 Things To Consider After the Big Event

Fedor Emelianenkos legacy is that of an MMA legend and the mystic as the last giant slayer finally comes to a brutal halt. Antonio Silva outweighed the former Pride champion by 55 pounds and dominated Fedor unlike any fighter to ever face the stoic Russian. As usual, post-fight Fedor showed nothing but humility and a rather firm statement of retirement, though his management states otherwise.

1—Unfortunately the pursuit of the almighty dollar rules Fedors management team. In the past five years pursuing the best money possible on their terms and letting Fedor face subpar competition with a few exceptions. Meanwhile the rest of the MMA world was growing fast in size and experience. And if how they’ve run his career in the past is any indication; I wouldn’t doubt they try to squeeze every last dollar from his legacy.

2—That being said, if Fedor should return to MMA, it would be better for his legacy and career to finally drop weight to light heavyweight. Fedor walks around at about 230 pounds, so this isn’t impossible. He would be a devastating force in the 205 pound division. But this idea has been thrown around before and never come to fruition, perhaps cutting weight doesn’t agree with Fedor.

3—Should he fight as a heavyweight again, he runs a risk of tarnishing his legacy, unless he earns his way back up the ladder. Inserting himself as an alternate or anything else other than a legit climb up the heav weight roster of Strikeforce just degrades the entire idea of the Grand Prix tournament. Hopefully Scott Coker and Strikeforce don't make any questionable business decisions in the future.

4—While the Grand Prix still offers some great matches essentially the power of the Grand Prix was in large part due to Fedors legend and mystic. Perhaps it would’ve been better to play the Fedor card later in the tournament. This is the inherent risk in setting up four fights and hoping the biggest draw comes out on top. Sometimes it’s better to make a fight then try to set it up. But that’s the fight business and dollars make sense.

5—Regardless of whether or not Fedor returns, he has one of the greatest legacies in MMA history and that still remains true now. After over a decade of being an MMA fighter, Fedor looks like he no longer has the hunger he did in his Pride or even Affliction days. But if he were to come back into the cage and fight without being 100 percent committed to fighting then that legacy becomes tarnished. There is no shortage of fighters that didn’t know when to quit and dragged their names through hell for a few dollars more.

Fedor should be remembered as a great champion and MMA fighter; that’s how most fans wish to hold on to him. Nothing is worse than seeing a shadow of a fighter fade after he sticks around for one too many fights. So unless he’s coming back 100 percent hungry and ready, then he should retire. We, as fans, should be grateful for the years of entertainment, and let him go into MMA history.