Well, I guess its wait and watch again as far as Fedor’s future holds but a contract with Strikeforce only means that Fedor will have an option of fighting against Overeem, Brett Rogers and Fabricio Werdum as big names …

With the UFC of course, you get the entire gamut of big names coming in. The only problem is that M-1 and the UFC have not always met eye to eye to say the least. Keep tuned in to MMARumours to hear the latest on this development.

Werdum to replace Barnett?

The Rumour Mill is working overtime! The latest rumour to hit the MMA scene is that Strikeforce Heavyweight Fabricio Werdum is all set to replace Josh Barnett at Affliction: Trilogy against Fedor.

Werdum, who is thought of by some as the best heavyweight Jiu Jitsu fighter outside of Minotauro Noguiera, is a dangerous fighter who has upped his striking game after joining the always infamous Chute Box camp. Werdum, who started gaining notoriety after working as Mirko Cro-Cop’s Jiu Jitsu coach, is a championship level grappler and will prove to be a relaly tough test for Fedor, if the fight does happen.

Werdum was slated to fight Alistair Overeem for the Strikeforce Heavyweight title in August on the card headlined by the Carano-Cyborg fight but had to sit out due to Overeem re-aggravating an injury to his hand.

Sergei Kharitonov, was at one time considered the future of the heavyweight division in PRIDE. The russian army man and Russian Top Team member, has many a top level victories under his belt including (T)ko wins over Pedro Rizzo, Ninja Rua, Semmy Schilt and current UFC star Fabricio Werdum.

Kharitonov would be a great addition to what is already an impressive heavyweight roster in Affliction. His last fight was a year ago when he KO’ed Alistair Overeem in the first round of a K-1 Hero’s, what is now called DREAM match.

The potential match ups are many and all are interesting. I just hope Kharitonov has recovered fully from his injuries and we see the Kharitonov of old.

On September 23rd, Mirko “Crocop” Filipovic will finally step into the ring again after months of rehabilitation and rumours of his retirement. Crocop, in an interview with a major newspaper commented that he was finally 100% again and is ready and eager to fight on 23rd September. Crocop, who currently fights for the DREAM promotion in Japan will most probably fight against Alistair “Demolition Man” Overeem – who has been calling him out for almost two months now and has gone so far as to questio Crocop’s heart and his will to compete in MMA.

Crocop also says that his knee is 100% now and that he has bene going to Amsterdam to train with some top K-1 level fighters in Holland. After a mini camp in his native Zagreb, Croatia, Crocop says that he went to Holland specifically to get some standup training by sparring and training with the likes of Remy Bonjasky and John Hyppolitom.

Mirko also mentions in his usual way that there was no question of ducking any fight or fighter at any time. “Talking is his game not mine. I would like to do my talking in the ring. I really want this fight” says Mirko.