The next time Strikeforce grabs a time slot on CBS, Fedor Emelianenko may not be a part of that card. A report from Lance Pugmire at the LA Times states that Emelianenko has a hand injury that could keep him out of the cage for a while.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker was quoted in the article as saying, “We’re hearing he could be out for four to six months.”
The official injury is a fracture and a tendon tear in his left thumb. Coker believes the injury may have occurred in the waning moments of the fight when Emelianenko went in for the kill against a downed Brett Rogers.
Emelianenko was expected to face either the Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, or possibly Fabricio Werdum in his next match up. However, Coker’s heavyweight division will just have to move forward without the Russian sensation for the time being.
The injury is just another promotion losing their biggest heavyweight and biggest draw to health issues. Brock Lesnar, the UFC heavyweight champion, is still unable to defend his title against No. 1 contender Shane Carwin because of his recent stint with Mononucleosis.
Update: Emelianenko’s recovery status has changed from 4-6 months to 4-6 weeks.
