Enigmatic mixed martial arts star Fedor Emelianenko (31-1) has been a hot topic in MMA circles again recently. Many observers believed that Fedor would be fighting Fabricio Werdum on Strikeforce's April 17th card set to air on CBS. When that fight was not announced as part of the card or the May Strikeforce card, reports of a rift between Strikeforce and Fedor's management and promotional partner M-1 Global began to surface.

Former UFC champion Randy Couture has openly lobbied for the chance to fight Fedor since the Japanese-based fighting organization PRIDE was acquired by the UFC back in 2007. Couture gave his thoughts on Werdum and his recent victory over Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva in a recent interview.

Couture explained, "I watched Fabricio's last fight against 'Bigfoot' Silva and was very impressed. First of all, with how he dealt with a guy that size. And his stand-up skills were tremendous in that fight. He did a great job of banging it out. And I think in a lot of ways stealing Antonio's heart in that fight."

Couture seemed to feel some of the frustration that many fans have felt over Fedor's insistence on fighting fighters seemingly past their prime.

"I think at some point Fedor's going to have to step up and be willing to fight top level guys again." Couture continued, "I don't know what's going on with him or why he's not willing to do that and certainly Werdum is one of those guys he's going to have to face to be considered a top fighter."

"To be pound-for-pound best fighter in the world he's going to have to start facing tougher opponents. Hopefully we'll see that fight happen."

Strikeforce and M-1 Global have hinted that both sides are close to coming to terms and a fight between Fedor and Werdum may be announced shortly.