CBS signs contract with Strikeforce

CBS will resume televising mixed martial arts Saturday night by airing a Strikeforce promotion headlined by Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko fighting unbeaten American Brett Rogers.

The card from Sears Centre Arena, near Chicago, will be shown tape-delayed at 9 p.m. PST.

It also will feature a middleweight fight between Jason Miller and Jake Shields and a heavyweight bout pitting Antonio Silva against Fabricio Werdum.

CBS formerly aired cards promoted by the now-defunct organization Elite Xtreme Combat. It has now united with Strikeforce, which signed Emelianenko, the man some consider the best MMA fighter in the world. He declined an offer to fight for the best-known MMA organization, Ultimate Fighting Championships, earlier this year following the collapse of the Affliction circuit.

Rogers (10-0) positioned himself for this matchup by knocking out Andrei Arlovski, Emelianenko’s last opponent.

-- Lance Pugmire

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Strikeforce

SEARS CENTRE ARENA, CHICAGO

THE CARD

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers

Jake Shields vs. Jason Miller

Gregard Mousasi vs. Rameau Sokoudjou

Antonio Silva vs. Fabricio Werdum

TV

9 p.m., Channel 2 (delayed)