Since emerging into mixed martial arts in 2006, Brett “The Grim” Rogers has left a trail of destruction in his wake. Riding an undefeated record of 10 wins and no losses with 9 knockouts and 1 submission (via strikes), Rogers prepares for his primetime clash against top heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko. With the fight just over a week away, we take a look at the five moments that established “The Grim” as a world-class contender.
5. Ralph Kelley
November 10, 2007 – EliteXC: Renegade – Result: Rogers via Submission (Strikes), Round 1
As the two men met in center of the cage for their EliteXC debuts, Rogers landed a heavy right. Kelley had no choice but to shoot only to end up on the bottom with Rogers teeing off. In the words of commentator Todd Keneley, “Rogers does not get paid by the hour, this guy […] finishes fights.” Sure enough, the end came at 1:43 of the first round.
4. James Thompson
February 16, 2008 – EliteXC: Street Certified – Result: Rogers via TKO, Round 1
Though undefeated, Rogers was still relatively unknown. This fight was not only on the main card of a major show, but it came with a big name. James “The Colossus” Thompson rushed Rogers with his patented “Gong and Dash.” However, after defending the takedown, Rogers flattened Thompson with a right hand.
3. Abongo Humphrey
April 11, 2009 – Strikeforce: Shamrock vs Diaz – Result: Rogers via TKO, Round 2
During the legal limbo with his EliteXC contract, Rogers went back to stocking tires at St. Paul, Minnesota. Nonetheless, his return to MMA demonstrated a level of poise that was never shown in his career. Rogers used a varied attack of clinch-work, knees, and lateral movement to take out the then-undefeated Humphrey by 2nd round TKO.
2. Jon Murphy
May 31, 2008 – EliteXC: Primetime – Result: Rogers via KO, Round 1
In the opening bout of the first MMA event aired on primetime network television, Rogers made quick work of Jon Murphy. The event brought prominence to Rogers for 3 reasons: his 1-minute knockout victory, fighting in the first MMA fight on network TV, and perhaps most notably, his verbal confrontation at the post fight press conference with the controversial Kimbo Slice.
1. Andrei Arlovski
June 6, 2009 – Strikeforce: Lawler vs Shields – Result: Rogers via TKO, Round 1
Despite 9 straight wins with no loses, Rogers was still widely considered a sacrificial lamb against the former UFC champion, Andrei Arlovski. It took only 22 seconds for Rogers to overwhelm Arlovski with a barrage of strikes. This was the victory that propelled “The Grim” into the mainstream spotlight and a shot at Fedor Emelianenko’s throne.
