Fedor Emelianenko did it again, but this time he did it in front of his biggest U.S. audience to date.

Emelianenko built his reputation as the world's greatest heavyweight fighting for Japan's now-defunct Pride Fighting Championships, but he has yet to translate that success into mass popularity in the U.S.

That is sure to change following Emelianenko's scintilating second-round KO over Brett Rogers in the main event of "CBS/Strikeforce/M-1 Global Saturday night Fights" on Saturday in front of a sellout crowd at Sears Centre in Chicago, Ill., and a national network television audience.

It was another impressive outing for Emelianenko who dismantled former UFC champions Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia in his previous two outings.

Rogers gave the Russian his toughest fight in years, but once again Emelianenko showed off his toughness and resilience.

Rogers cracked Emelianenko with a left in the opening exchange of the fight. The blow opened a nast cut on the bridge of Emelianenko's nose. Emelienenko was able to toss Rogers to the ground after a clinch, but Rogers quickly scrambled to his feet.

Emelianenko was able to score another takedown, but Rogers reversed him to gain top position and began dropping bombs on him. Emelianenko was finally able to reverse Rogers and regain top position. He caught Rogers in an arm-triangle choke, but Rogers survived the sumbission and regained guard. Emelianenko took the first round, but it was a lot closer than people expected.

Emelianenko unloaded his hands on Rogers in the second round. He connected a perfect right hand that exploded on Rogers' chin, sending him crashing to the canvas. Emelianenko added some follow-up punches on his opponent before referee Big John McCarthy stopped it at 1:48 of the second round.

Emelianenko ran his record 31-1. It looks like he'll get Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem or a bout against Fabricio Werdum next. Rogers dropped to 10-1.

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Billy Evangelista survived the whirlwind that is Jorge Gurgel, pulling out a three-round unanimous decision at Strikeforce Challengers Series 4 on Friday night at Save Mart Center in Fresno on Showtime.

Gurgel did nothing to hurt his stock, turning in yet another amazing effort.

Evangelista got some hard-earned experience against one of the toughest 155-pounders in the world.

"I was trying but the guy's tough," Evangelista said. "What can I say? Exactly, what I expected. Jorge is friggin' awesome. Hie was very aggressive. I gotta give my hat off to the guy. He did a great job."

Gurgel, as always, was gracious in defeat and had nothing to be ashamed of with his valiant effort.

"My hats off to Billy," Gurgel said. "I came in to fight the No. 1 contender, undefeated, in his hometown of Fresno. I expected their booing. All I I wanted at the end of the fight was to get your guys' respect and not get booed anymore. I think I did just that. Hats off to Billy. He's a great fighter. I'm sorry to my camp, crew, everybody at Sityodtong, Mark Della Grotte. I'm very embarrassed. I'll do better next time."

Evangelista and Gurgel engaged in some good back-and-forth exchanges, but Evangelista's late takedown probably gave him the first round.

Gurgel started off strong in the second round, connecting with a series of combinations. But Evangelista was able to score a takedown and deliver some effective ground-and-pound before the fight was stood back up by the referee for no apparent reason. Gurgel rallied late in the round, dropping Evangelista with a head kick and sinking in a guillotine choke. But Evangelista popped his head out with a few seconds left and was able to survive the round.

Both fighters let it all hang out in the final round, which featured some furious exchanges. Evangelista, who suffered a nasty cut on his left eyebrow, got a takedown in the final minute that might have given him a slight edge.

All three judges scored the fight for Evangelista, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.

Evangelista, of Fresno, upped his record to 10-0, while Gurgel, of Cincinnati, Ohio, dropped to 13-6 with the loss.

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Fedor Emelianenko has taken on mythical status in the mixed martial arts world like he is some kind of indestructable cyborg.

He is considered an overwhelming favorite every time he steps into the ring.

He has beaten nearly all of the top heavyweights of his era.

Many MMA experts consider him the greatest fighter pound-for-pound the sport has ever produced.

Brett Rogers is the man tasked with taking on the Russian sensation at "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" on Saturday at 9 p.m. on CBS at the Sears Centre in Chicago, Ill.

"People got to understand, I'm not going in there with that mentality, 'Oh, I'm about to fight Fedor,'" Rogers said. "I'm going in there with that mentality to beat or kill whoever is on the opposite side of that cage. He's just another man to me. I'm definitely not paying attention to who he is or what his background as far as MMA goes. He's just another man to me. I'm just going in there and smash him."

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Brett Rogers, left, and Fedor Emelianenko pose at Sunday's Chicago Bears game. PHOTO COURTESY OF CBS.

Russian sensation Fedor Emelianenko makes his U.S. network TV debut against Brett Rogers at "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" on Saturday at 9 p.m. on CBS at Sears Centre in Chicago, Ill.

Here are five reasons to watch the show:

1. Fedor Emelianenko: It's must-see TV whenever the No. 1 heavyweight in the world fights, and Fedor is just that. Not only is Fedor widely considered the top heavyweight in the world, but many even consider Fedor the best fighter pound-for-pound in the history of mixed martial arts.

Also, Fedor is known for delivering the goods whenever he steps in the ring. In his past two fights for Affliction, the former Pride heavyweight champion completely annihilated former UFC heavyweight champions Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski.

2. Can Fedor become a star in the U.S.: The UFC pushed hard to sign Fedor as a free agent when Affliction went under. UFC president Dana White recognized Fedor's potential for stardom in the U.S. The deal with the UFC fell through when the UFC was unwilling to co-promote with Fedor's company, M-1 Global. With co-promotion off the table, Fedor and M-1 Global went with Strikeforce.

Fedor's talent and results in the ring are unquestioned, but can Strikeforce succeed where Affliction failed? Fedor will have the full weight of the Showtime and CBS publicity machine behind him. All he has to do is produce in the ring. It's going to be interesting to see if he can pull it off.

3. Brett Rogers could pull off an upset: Rogers is a considerable underdog, but he is a live underdog. The 6-5, 265-pounder has ended all 10 of his fights inside the distance. Only one fighter has gotten out of the first round with him.

This is a devastating puncher. When someone possesses the kind of destructive punching power in his fists that Rogers does, he always has a shot.

The problem is he's not nearly as effective on the ground as Fedor, who is a submission master. Can Rogers keep the fight standing and force him to slug it out?

4. Jake Shields vs. Jason "Mayhem" Miller: Cung Le vacated the Strikeforce middleweight title to pursue a career in acting and now Shields will move up from 170 pounds to challenge the always entertaining Miller, the star of MTV's "Bully Beatdown."

Miller's elaborate ring entrances are more than worth the price of admission, but the well-rounded Team Quest fighter can also fight. Shields, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Cesar Gracie, is a submission wizard. This should be a very exciting fight.

5. Gegard Mousasi is in action: The 24-year-old sensation brings a 13-fight winning streak into his bout against Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou.

Mousasi became a star overseas when he beat Denis Kang, Donk Sik Yoon, Melvin Manhoef and Ronaldo Souza to win the 2008 Dream Middleweight Grand Prix.

Mousasi continued his impressive run when he needed 60 seconds to dispatch Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion Renato "Babalu" Sobral in his Strikeforce debut on Aug. 15.

RELATED LINKS:

• Brett Rogers: Can he beat Fedor?

• 'Fedor! Oh Fedor!' song

• Fedor vs. Rogers: Live on CBS Nov. 7

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