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Scott Coker calls Fedor Emelianenko’s one loss ‘inevitable’

Strikeforce CEO applauds 10-year-run, says Emelianenko still greatest ever

Emelianenko v. Werdum

Fabricio Werdum celebrates his firs round submission of Fedor Emelianenko during their Strikeforce bout Saturday, June 26, 2010 at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, California. Launch slideshow »

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker repeatedly had stated he believed Fabricio Werdum was capable of becoming the first man in 10 years to defeat Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko.

After the Brazilian Jiu-Jistu specialist proved him right Saturday with a first-round submission win over Emelanenko at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., Coker admitted to feeling stunned but said that an Emelianenko loss at some point had become "inevitable."

"To have this one defeat, it's inevitable," Coker said. "Because in MMA, the parity is there now. He's proved himself over and over, but this time he got caught. In MMA, come on guys, everybody gets caught."

Saturday marked what many consider to be the first legitimate loss in Emelianenko's (31-2) career. The only other blemish on his record came in 2000 when a fight was stopped early because of a cut he suffered from an illegal blow.

Coker admitted that there were several times during his days of working for the K-1 organization that he was sure Emelianenko was headed toward defeat.

"When I was working for K-1 and going to Japan five or six times a year I would go to the Pride shows to see him," Coker said. "I watched him fight (Kazayuki) Fujita and (Mirko) Cro Cop. When he fought Mirko I thought there was no way Mirko was going to lose and he kicked his ass.

"Let's face it, at that era, all the great heavyweights were in Pride and he beat them all."

Although he mainly sidestepped questions regarding Emelianenko's long-term future with Stirkeforce, Coker said he did not think the loss should affect the remainder of his current contract.

Emelianenko has one final bout left on the three-fight deal he signed with Strikeforce last year.

It seemed obvious following its fighter's loss that M-1 Global hopes that last fight will be a rematch with Werdum.

"We'll see. The future will show," said Emelianenko's manager, Vadim Finkelstein. "Fabricio Werdum is the first fighter who managed to defeat Fedor. We certainly think it would be a great thing to have a rematch to be able to prove that Fedor is still the best."

Whether Strikeforce grants the immediate rematch or opts to set up a heavyweight title fight between Werdum and current champion Alistair Overeem, Coker said he believes Emelianenko's return to the cage will be something to watch.

He also said he still believes Emelianenko is the greatest mixed martial artist of all time.

"I still think he has many more fights if he wishes," Coker said. "He got caught, but that's the beauty of MMA. You guys are going to see him come back out with a vengeance."

Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or [email protected].

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