The energy in the building was extraordinary. A virtual sellout crowd was on its feet in Chicago when the two legends of MMA collided. And the fighters—two of the most well known and respected men in the sport—did not disappoint. A furious barrage of power fists ended with Fedor flat on his back and an exuberant Dan "Hendo" Henderson celebrating the biggest win of his career.

Following one of several lethal exchanges to open the fight, Henderson went down and Fedor moved in for the kill. But in a brilliant and lightning quick wrestling move, Henderson snatched a single leg and came up behind Fedor to deliver one devastating right handed 'H-Bomb' to knock the enigmatic Russian flat on his face. Fedor turned into Hendo but it was too late. Hendo was raining down punches when veteran Referee Herb Dean halted the bout late in the first round.

A lifetime middleweight and light heavyweight champion in every organization he's fought in, Henderson called Fedor one of his idols—someone he's admired for a long time.

Fedor dropped his third consecutive fight and the MMA world at large awaits his decision. Should the 34-year old devoutly religious Russian Orthodox Christian retire? Or will return to thrill fans once again?

Earlier in the night a new champion was crowned when 24-year old wrestling phenom Miesha Tate submitted the submission specialist Marloes Coenen. A give and take strategic battle ended in the 4th round when Tate, from side control, sunk in a deadly Arm Triangle Choke forcing the Dutch champion to tap at 3:03 and surrender her 135-lbs Strikeforce Bantamweight title belt.

U.S. Army Ranger Tim Kennedy controlled all 3 Rds of his middleweight fight against veteran badass Robbie Lawler—winning by shutout on all the cards. Kennedy suffered a deep cut on his nose midway through the 2nd, courtesy of a Ruthless left uppercut, but outworked and outpaced Lawler for an important win. The 30-year old Green Beret will be watching closely on Sept. 10 when Strikeforce Champion Jacare Souza defends his title against a young and hungry Luke Rockhold. Following Saturday's 'W', Kennedy fully expects to be next in line for his second shot at the 185-lbs title.

Undefeated rising star and Strikeforce Challengers graduate Tyron Woodley smothered and pummeled explosive striker Paul Daley for a 3-round Unanimous Decision. Woodley won by 29-28 on all 3 judges cards in what was by far his toughest test in MMA to date. With the recent departure of champion Nick Diaz for the UFC, Woodley has aspirations for a shot at the now vacant Welterweight belt.

Another promising prospect in the 170-lbs ranks, Tarec Saffiedine of Belgium put on a clinic against veteran Scott Smith. With precision strikes and a versatile display of punch-kick combos, Saffiedine won by shutout on all 3 cards. Saffiedine and Woodley could be on a collision course as Strikeforce looks to crown its next Welterweight Champion.