After reports last week that Fedor Emelianenko's Strikeforce debut would be in October, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker stated during last Saturday night's Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg post-event press conference that his debut is "probably going to be in November".

Coker shot down a rumor that former UFC Heavyweight Champion Ricco Rodriguez was being considered for the fight, saying that "it was never even talked about". He stated that his opponent would likely be Brett Rogers or Fabricio Werdum, and later stated that Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem was also a possibility, if he is recovered from his hand injury.

"I definitely think there's two guys here that would be a quality opponent for Fedor," Coker said of Rogers and Werdum, who were at the press conference.

"I think Brett Rogers is one of the guys we have to take a serious look at," he continued. "And Fabricio (Werdum) looked great tonight. I think on any given day he could do his thing."

Rogers, who is coming off of a 22 second first-round knockout victory over former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski in June, told that he didn't think that he would end up getting the fight. Werdum, who needed just 1:24 to defeat Mike Kyle by submission last Saturday night, noted that he was up for the fight if it were presented to him.

"It's up to Mr. Scott (Coker)," Werdum stated. "Whoever Scott tells me to fight, I'm going to fight."

He went on to joke that he isn't quite ready for the fight yet, stating, "The athletic commission says for seven days I can't fight. After that, no problem."

Meanwhile, mixed martial arts fans won't have to wait long to see "The Last Emperor" in action. Emelianenko will face newly crowned Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Gegard Mousasi in an exhibition sparring match at M-1 Global: Breakthrough on August 28.

Many say it was his high profile losses to both Fedor Emelianenko and Brett Rodgers that drove Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski to play the high risk game of Russian Roulette, a game during which a revolver is loaded with a single round, the cylinder spun, and then placed against the temple. The player pulls the trigger, chancing the bullet could end their life.

"It's when you don't care about anything," stated the 30-year-old Belarusian mixed martial artist to Fighters.com.

But Arlovski's spokesman, Keith Gelman, stressed to a reporter from the website that the former UFC Heavyweight Champion "has never contemplated taking his own life".

All this after two devastating losses -- one to Brett Rodgers at a Strikeforce event in June, the other to Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko at an Affliction: Day of Reckoning event in January. After his second loss, Arlovski returned to his home in Belarus to spend time with family and reconsider his future ambitions.

"I cried a lot after my fights, you know. When I lost to Fedor, I cried. When I lost to Rogers, I cried," he stated.

And now, the top ranked fighter says he wants to box, and plans to train with boxing coach Freddie Roach. Arlovski says he plans to debut his boxing career in September or October of this year. As for his future in mixed martial arts...

"I don't want to make any predictions," he said.

Former IFL Light Heavyweight Champion Vladimir "The Janitor" Matyushenko will take on fellow UFC veteran Jason "The Punisher" Lambert at "Call to Arms 1" at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California on May 16.

Matyushenko in January had an eight-fight win streak snapped by Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at Affliction: Day of Reckoning in Anaheim, California. Matyushenko was knocked out with a knee in the second round. He had previously only been knocked out once, against Andrei Arlovski at UFC 44 in September 2003. After leaving the UFC on the loss to Arlovski, the Belarusian mixed martial artist made a comeback by tearing through the competition in the IFL as a member of the Tokyo Sabres.

This will be Lambert's first fight outside of the UFC since September 2005. Lambert made his Octagon debut at UFC 58 in March 2006 and fought until UFC 88 in September 2008, splitting eight fights. Lambert holds TKO win over Terry Martin and KO victory over Renato "Babalu" Sobral.

In the other featured bouts, Tiki Ghosn will take on Brian Warren and Daniel Puder will face Jeff Ford.

Affliction: Day of Reckoning came to us all live on January 24, 2009 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Here are the results for the event:

Main Card

• WAMMA Heavyweight Championship: Fedor Emelianenko def. Andrei Arlovski by KO (punch) at 3:14 of Round 1 to retain the WAMMA Heavyweight Title

• Heavyweight bout: Josh Barnett def. Gilbert Yvel by submission (strikes) at 3:05 of Round 3

• Middleweight bout: Vitor Belfort def. Matt Lindland by KO (punches) at 0:37 of Round 1

• Light Heavyweight bout: Renato Sobral def. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou by submission (brabo choke) at 2:37 of Round 2

• Heavyweight bout: Paul Buentello def. Kirill Sidelnikov by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 4:18 of Round 3

• Lightweight bout: Dan Lauzon def. Bobby Green by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:55 of Round 1

HDNet Matches/Undercard

• Light Heavyweight bout: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira def. Vladimir Matyushenko by TKO (knee and punches) at 4:26 of Round 2

• Featherweight bout: LC Davis def. Bao Quach by unanimous decision

• Featherweight bout: Albert Rios def. Antonio Duarte by unanimous decision

• Welterweight bout: Brett Cooper def. Patrick Speight by TKO (punches) at 4:39 of Round 2

• Welterweight bout: Jay Hieron def. Jason High by TKO (punches) at 1:04 of Round 1

Affliction Entertainment, scheduled to make its MMA debut on July 19 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California, keeps building this event with the latest news – a heavy metal band Megadeth, led by frontman, guitarist, and songwriter Dave Mustaine, will be performing live at the event.

According to a spokesperson for Affliction, Megadeth will be performing a key points during the event itself.

The platinum selling band has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide and will perform a special highlight performance. Known for their distinctive, in-your-face guitar solos, snarling vocal style, and dark lyrical themes, Megadeth is sure to resonate with the "Affliction Banned" fan base and intensify the already action-packed event.

"Affliction Banned", a MMA pay-per-view event in association with Roy Englebrecht Events, features former undisputed Pride Fighting Championships Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko against former two time UFC Heavyweight titleholder Tim Sylvia.

A four-fight pay-per-view undercard includes Josh Barnett, facing off stateside for the first time in two years, in a grudge match against the only opponent to ever knock him out, Brazilian Pedro Rizzo.

Three times All-American wrestler Mike Whitehead will battle Brazilian Renato "Babalu" Sobral. 2000 Olympic wrestling silver medalist Matt Lindland faces Brazilian Fabio "Negao" Nascimento. Former International Fight League (IFL) titlist Ben Rothwell is scheduled to fight Andre Arlovski.