Fedor Emelianenko's debut on prime time television Saturday night wasn't just a hallmark moment for Strikeforce — it was also a hallmark moment in the career of the greatest fighter in the history of the sport.
Here are three things we learned about Emelianenko.
1. Fedor is now a legitimate superstar in North America
Emelianenko has been considered by many to be the best fighter in the history of the sport, but he's also a virtual unknown in a North American market dominated by the well-oiled UFC machine. His pay-per-view main events for the defunct Affliction promotion drew less than one-third of the viewers than even the weakest UFC cards. His debut on prime-time television would answer the ultimate question surrounding his career: Could Emelianenko become a superstar to casual fans?
