A Perspective from the floor of the November 7th, 2009 Strikeforce/M-1 Global Event.
By
Scott Viscomi

Fight Fan

MMA events are always an entertaining case study in people watching. Upon arriving to the Sears Center Arena in Chicago, IL the first fan comment I overheard was “Fedor is going knock Rogers back to Minneapolis!”  This comment came from a woman in her mid to late 30’s who was exiting a late model Mercedes coupe. By itself, this might not mean anything to you…however her confident ascertation was shared with a leather-clad bandana wearing gentlemen smoking a cigarette on his Harley Davidson that was parked in an adjacent space. Interesting mix of fans I thought to myself as I wandered through the parking lot and into the jam packed arena lobby. Filled with exuberant spectators I was reminded of my days as an 8 year old youth at the New Haven Coliseum when we used to attend WWF events and brutal New Haven Nighthawks hockey games that now I think of it, were definitely my first true combat experiences. These days, Hulk Hogan versus The Iron Sheik has given way to fathers and sons bonding over a much more realistic form of combat entertainment. Oversized red & white RVCA Fedor T shirts and various forms of Team Russia clothing (including full sized flags) dominated the landscape. Indeed, the pre-fight beer lines were dominated with the heavy accents of Russian-native speakers who all came to see with absolute certainty their most revered sports figure in recent history.

The undercards proceeded on time and featured excellent displays of skill and technique to the delight of the crowd. The last fight before the big show featured Holland’s Marloes Coenen versus Wilmington, Delaware’s Roxanne Modaferri at 145 pounds. This fight should have been televised. Coenen’s skill landed her the victory easily despite a very commendable performance from Madaferri.  The native Hollander’s aggressive yet smart style was not only crowd pleasing, but inspiring. She is certainly destined for bigger fights.
The card featured some great fights, but the one we were all waiting for was ever present on everyone’s mind. You could literally feel Fedor’s presence in the building. It was an electric atmosphere. Everywhere you looked Russia’s flag and the colors red, blue and white dominated the landscape. As he walked in with his typical focused and nonchalant style, the place literally exploded with passionate support. Rogers' entrance was greeted with a warm reception from his loyal fans, but they were outnumbered 100-1, and it was clear from the onset of the fight, despite landing a fantastic left jab that opened a significant gash on his venerated opponent’s nose, that so were his odds to win.

Taking a break from the onsite perspective, and flashing forward to the post fight media attention to this fight proving Fedor is not-untouchable, and perhaps not as dominating as he once was, or that he hasn’t been truly tested, this fight fan and MMA student would like to offer a differing perspective of the fight entirely by asking you to think about what makes a fighter great aside from physical attributes?

If you watch the fight closely, granted that looking back this was much easier to see…rather FEEL if you were at the fight. From ringside, it was clear that no one in that building wanted a good fight more than Fedor. The first round was in fact a brilliant effort by Rogers. He displayed some great aspects of his game…and true to the tradition of his previous 31 fights, Fedor played. He was in there…not shying away…not toying with Rogers…but studying his prey. Again, I must tell you that this could be felt, even in the maelstrom of ringside support. When the round II bell rang, it became clear that this feeling that I repeatedly reference was something akin to a coming storm. As Joe Rogan so eloquently states “a ballet of violence…” was about to let loose. Fedor’s style shifted, his whole demeanor and strategy revealed itself as they began to engage. It was at this time that I actually felt fear. Fear for Rogers, and fear of what would come next. We could all feel it coming…something was different. Low and behold…the overhand right-cross of death and Fedor’s 31st victory was in the books. Will power is often written about, and as a sports fan from time to time we get to see a few examples. However, never in my life have I been able to see a greater display of someone lifting their mental state above and beyond their well honed physical skills to achieve a desired result. In my mind, this is what made the November 7th fight one for the ages. I hope one day to show the footage to my sons and daughters as an example of courage and belief in one’s self against huge odds and potentially crushing opposition.