STRIKEFORCE and DREAM to exchange fighters.

STRIKEFORCE and the japanese based DREAM promotions have agreed to enter a partnership that will facilitate the exchange of fighters between the two organizations. The official statement is expected to be released today.

“We’ve talked about [the partnership] for a long time,” Coker said on the Carmichael Dave Show. “It’s finally going to happen now so maybe [Sergei] Kharitonov could fight Fedor at some point.” This not only opens up the possibility of Fedor fighting in Japan, his favorite hunting ground, but also opens up the possibilities of a lot of high potential fights in both organizations. The exchange really helps STRIKEFORCE further strengthen their welterweight and lightweight divisions as well with the additions of notable fighters such as Marius Zaromskis, Hayato Sakurai, Andre Galvao, Andre Dida Amade, Vitor Ribeiro, Shinya Aoki, Joachim Hansen, Gesias Calvancante, Tatsuya Kawajiri, etc.

This could be the deal that STRIKEFORCE and DREAM both needed to finally get some mileage going and will definitely help STRIKEFORCE as they go into their TV deal with CBS, having to put on more shows than ever before.

The promotions already share a few fighters such as Gegard Mousasi, an M-1 fighter similar to Fedor and the current challenger to STRIKEFORCE light heavy weight champion Babalu Sobral’s belt.

Fedor Emelianenko has officially signed with STRIKEFORCE! The blockbuster announcement has been released via M1Global and Fedor’s management. The entire announcement is available below:

World’s No. 1 MMA Heavyweight To Fight In STRIKEFORCE / M-1 Global Co-Promoted Events

First Fight To Air This Fall, Live on SHOWTIME®

NEW YORK (August 3, 2009)–After a week of intense negotiations and speculation, the hottest topic of discussion in the professional fight world has come to a head as the world’s number one heavyweight and most sought after mixed martial arts (MMA) champion Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko has signed a historic, multi-fight agreement that will see him headline mega-events co-promoted by world championship promotions STRIKEFORCE and M-1 Global.

Emelianenko, known globally as Fedor, will make his premium television debut this Fall when his first fight under the new agreement airs live on SHOWTIME®. Up until now, Emelianenko’s live fights have aired exclusively on pay-per-view in the United States.

“I am looking forward to going back to work and fighting at the highest level,” said the 33-year-old Emelianenko. During his nine year professional fight career, which included a four and a half year stay with the world’s former top MMA promotion, the now defunct PRIDE Fighting Championship, the Russian native has faced and defeated all comers.

In his last effort, the 6-foot, 235-pound Emelianenko decimated the number two ranked heavyweight at the time Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski with a single punch in the first round (3:14) of the main event of Affliction: “Day of Reckoning” at Anaheim, California’s Honda Center on January 24.

“STRIKEFORCE is a top fight promotion that houses some of the greatest fighters in the world,” continued Emelianenko. “I am prepared to fight any of them.”

“We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with M-1 Global and Fedor,” said STRIKEFORCE Founder and CEO Scott Coker, a martial arts fight promoter of over 25 years. “Fedor has been the reigning king of MMA’s heavyweight division for quite some time now so being able to work with M-1 and Fedor will substantially increase the level of competition amongst the athletes in this weight class.”