Elite XC Folds

As many people have previously predicted, Elite XC and Pro Elite have ceased operations.

This has not been officially confirmed by Elite XC, but has been said in a post on a website by Graciefighter.com. Graciefighter have fighters on their roster who were employed by Elite XC, such as Nick Diaz, so there is some credibility to the rumor.

The company is said to have lost over $55 million since it began in 2006. Elite XC's CBS shows made them no money as the costs and revenues were picked up by CBS.

I will bring you more info on this story as it breaks.

Carano vs Cyborg In The Works For February

In an interview with a Brazilian website, Cris "Cyborg" Santos has commented on the possibility of a fight with Gina Carano.

According to Cyborg, Elite XC have offered her a date of February when she would face Carano, although it is unclear whether the title would be on the line.

Here is what Cyborg had to say about the fight:

“I think it’ll be in February, and it’ll be cool. Everybody wanna see this fight, we both fight on the last event and won, and it’ll be great. I’ll keep my Muay Thai like I did in my last fights. I’ll stand with her, and I think she likes it too, so why not? It’ll be a huge fight and someone is going down. They didn’t say if it’s going to be for the belt, but I think it’ll be”.

UPDATE: Ken And Frank Shamrock Date Announced

As MMATrivia previously reported, Ken and Frank Shamrock have signed a contract to fight each other, although no date or promoter had been announced (see original story here: http://mmatrivia.blogspot.com/2008/10/shamrock-brothers-sign-contract.html)

The brothers are looking at fighting in March or April of next year, according to Frank Shamrock. They are considering Elite XC and Affliction as promoters, under some kind of cross promotion, and want the show to be aired on Pay per View or Primetime.

Here is what Frank had to say on the matter, including some rather derogatory comments about his brother:

"We are definitely going to see it happen; it’s a done deal. I’ve just got to get his old ass into the cage now. Now he’s so old he can’t even get in the cage.

“We finally got it done and we’re looking forward to March or April for kicking it off, try to get him a wheel chair so he can get himself into that cage next time.”

Shamrock Brothers Sign Contract

Ken and Frank Shamrock are reported to have signed a contract to fight each other some time next year.

The contract was signed last week, with no fixed date or promotion attatched to it. Elite XC have shown interest in the bout, but whether they can afford to pick up such an expensive fight at this time remains to be seen.

Ken and Frank Shamrock have been feuding since Frank left Ken's gym, the Lion's Den, and hope this fight will releive some of the tension between them.

Antonio Silva Fined For Steroid use

Elite XC's heavyweight champion Antonio Silva has tested positive for banned substance Boldenone, a stroid designed for use in animals.

Silva has been fined $2,500 and suspended for a year. He has already denied the use of this or any other substance, and will appeal the decision.

Elite XC have stated that they support their fighter and will wait until the appeal hearing to decide if they should strip Silva of his belt.

Elite XC Cancel Shows

Elite XC have announced that they have cancelled their September 20th event. No reason has been given for the cancellation, although there has been speculation that they were struggling to find a main event fight for the night.

Pro Elite, the parent company of Elite XC has also announced that they have cancelled a Cage Rage Contenders event to be held in the UK tonight. Again, no reason has been given.

John Alessio Denies Fight With Jake Shields

Rumors have been circulating that John Alessio would be fighting Jake Shields for the Elite XC Welterweight belt.

Alessio has denied those rumors, stating that he will be unable to fight on the September card due to a broken arm sustained in June against Pete Spratt.

Alessio did, however, state that he will be ready to fight again at Elite XC's October 4th event.

Suspensions handed down for Elite XC Fighters

California State Athletic Commission have released the following medical suspensions issued to fighters in the aftermath of last weekend's Elite XC Saturday Night Fights:

Robbie Lawler - Suspended 60 days with no contact for 60 days due to skull laceration
Scott Smith (lost to Robbie Lawler): Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days for precautionary reasons
Thomas Denny - Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days for precautionary reasons
Marlon Mathias - Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days for precautionary reasons
Shayna Baszler - Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days for precautionary reasons
Justin Eilers - Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days for precautionary reasons
Travis Galbraith - Suspended 180 days with no contact for 180 days due to a possible broken rib (can be cleared early by a doctor); minimum suspension of 45 days with no contact for 30 days for precautionary reasons
Wilson Reis - Suspended 60 days with no contact for 60 days due to skull laceration
Mike Cook- Suspended 60 days with no contact for 60 days due to right lateral knee injury; minimum suspension of 45 days with no contact for 30 days for precautionary reasons
Drew Montgomery -Suspended 60 days with no contact for 60 days due to a left-eye-area laceration
Brandon Tarn - Suspended 60 days with no contact for 60 days due to a forehead laceration

Gary Shaw And Doug Deluca Step Down From Pro Elite

Two of Elite XC's main event organizers have stepped down from their roles in the company today.

Gary Shaw has stepped down from his role as Elite XC's Live Events President. Doug Deluca has resigned his post as Pro Elite, Inc's Executive chairman. Both have also stepped down from the board of directors.

Both men have been very vocal in the running of Elite XC up until this point, and the move comes as something of a suprise. There was a noticable absence of Gary Shaw from the promotional material for last weekend's Saturday Night Fights event, and this would explain why.

Gary Shaw has reportedly been forced to step back from his role due to health issues caused by the pressures of his job. Both men have agreed to stay with the company as consultants.

Elite XC Sign John Alessio

Former UFC and WEC veteran John Alessio has reportedly signed a three fight deal with Elite XC.

Alessio currently holds a record of 23-11, and most recently faced Pete Spratt in a Banner Promotions fight card, where he won by Rear Naked Choke in the second round. Alessio is a welterweight contender and could provide a challenge for newly crowned champion Jake Shields in the future.

There has been no word from Alessio or Elite XC as to the precise terms of his contract, or the monetary value placed on it.

Scott Smith Suffers Broken Hand In Lawler Fight

According to a California based radio station, Scott Smith sustained a broken hand in his foght against Robbie Lawler on Saturday night.

The fight was the main event in Elite XC's second Saturday Night Fights card, aired on CBS. Smith came out swinging in the first round, throwing punch after punch at Lawler, and eating a few ounches in the process. Many fans noted that Smith looked very tentative in the second round, a stark contrast to the first, and this injury could have contributed to this sudden change.

Smith is scheduled to have surgery to fix the problem on Wednesday.

UPDATE: Kimbo Slice Versus Brett Rogers May Happen In September

After all the smack talking from Brett Rogers last weekend, he has got his wish.

Kimbo has announced that a fight between himself and Brett Rogers will take place at an Elite XC event in September.

Many fans believe that this will be a tough test for Kimbo, and will be the first time he has faced a worthy opponent. It seems Brett Rogers knew what he was doing when he called out Kimbo. This match may never have happened if Rogers hadn't been so vocal.

Brett Rogers Explains Actions At Elite XC Press Conferece

After all the drama at the Elite XC Press Conference concerning Kimbo Slice and Brett Rogers, Rogers has issued an open letter fromhimself and his fight camp, Team Bison.

In this letter, he explains his actions and his frustrations with the way Kimbo is promoted. The letter is very well articulated and explains Rogers actions very well. Here is the link to the letter, which was first published a few days ago at Cage Potato.com. This is the first time I have seen this, so I apologise for the lateness.

http://www.cagepotato.com/2008/06/03/open-letter-from-brett-rogers-and-team-bison/#more-1583

Elite XC Plans Heavyweight Title

Elite XC President Gary Shaw has announced that the promotion plans to crown their first ever Heavyweight Champion sometime this year.

Shaw is confident in his Heavyweight division, claiming Antonio Silva, James Thompson and Kimbo Slicce as his top fighters. Shaw plans to have the belt awarded by the end of 2008. It is possible that the winner of the Slice/Thompson bout on May 31st may be in line for a title shot.

No further information is known at this time, but look out for updates in the near future.

ShoXC Event Announced

Elite XC have announced a ShoXC event for June 27th at the Sycuan Casino & Resort in San Diego, California.

ShoXC events are run by Elite XC and aired on showtime, where they showcase some of their up and coming prospects. This event will differ slightly from usual ShoXC events, as they plan to air a title fight for a King of the Cage belt. King of the Cage is one of Elite XC's sister organisations, but this will be the first time ShoXC has held an fight for another organisation.

Elite XC recently signed two female fighters, Debi Purcell and Carina Damm, to fight at this event. Yesterday we broke the news that Damm had been suspended for one year due to steroid use. Gary Shaw has stated that Purcell will still be featured on the card, possibly against a tougher opponent.

A few fights have been announced for the event. We will bring you the rest as they are announced.

Cyrille Diabate vs. Jaime Fletcher
Hector Lombard vs. TBA
Champion Keith Barry vs. Reggie Orr (for KOTC middleweight title)
Fabricio Camoes vs. TBA
Debi Purcell vs. TBA

Female Fighter Tests Positive For Nandralone

Newly signed Elite XC fighter Carina Damm has become the first female MMA fighter to test positive for the steroid Nandralone.

The positive test came after a bout for Fatal Femmes Fighting in Los Angeles. Damm won this fight by submission. As a result of the positive test, she has been fined $2,500 by the California State Athletic Commission, and been suspended until 3rd April 2009, a total of one year from the date of the test. The result came out at 37.9ng/mL, compared to the legal limit of 2ng/mL.

This may cause issues with her new Elite XC contract, as Damm has only just signed the deal, and was scheduled to fight Debi Purcell in June.

Elite XC Show Interest In Tito Ortiz

Gary Shaw has wasted no time in proclaiming his interest in soon to be former UFC fighter Tito Ortiz.

Ortiz will leave the UFC after next weekend's UFC 84: Ill Will event. Many organisations are reported to have shown an interest, but Shaw has so far been the most vocal. After comments such as this from UFC president Dana White

"Tito is a f***ing idiot. He's one of the dumbest human beings I've ever met. Everything that comes out of his mouth makes no sense. ... I put up with his s*** when he was a good fighter (but) he's not anymore."I have no interest whatsoever in being in the Tito Ortiz business."

the words coming from Gary Shaw must seem like music to Ortiz's ears. Gary Shaw knows a good deal when he see's one, and with the popularity of Ortiz, he can only do good things for Elite XC. Here is one of the many compliments Ortiz has received:

"Of all my years in the fight game, I know one thing that I could see, touch, smell and feel, and that is a star and a superstar. Every time I see Tito Ortiz, he reeks of stardom. I think I can even better his days in the UFC. I think I can reincarnate Ortiz. He is a talented fighter, and he has all the mechanisms that you need to make someone a superstar."

Don't be suprised if we see Ortiz fighting for Elite XC one day in the not too distant future. We will update this story once Tito has officially left the UFC.

UPDATE: No Truth To Tyson/Kimbo Fight

Earlier today we posted that Mike Tyson had signed to fight Kimbo Slice at an Elite XC event in the future (see here for original story http://mmatrivia.blogspot.com/2008/05/rumor-mike-tyson-to-make-mma-debut.html)

Elite XC Gary Shaw has announced that these rumors are completely untrue, no talks have been held with Tyson. Shaw also said that he would not be opposed to these talks, and would love to see that fight happen in the future.

So, whilst the information we received was untrue, who knows what could happen in the future.

RUMOR: Mike Tyson To Make MMA Debut

We have heard a little rumor that former Heavyweight Boxing champion Mike Tyson has signed to make his MMA debut against Elite XC fighter and internet sensation Kimbo Slice.

The deal is beleived to have been signed with Elite XC and the fight is expected to take place at the end of this year or the beginning of next.

I wish to stress that, at this stage, it is only a rumor, but we are working to bring you the information as soon as possible. You can find the original story at http://www.mediatakeout.com/23628/mma_blockbuster_deal_mike_tyson_to_sign_contract_to_fight_internet_fighter_kimbo_slice.html

Elite XC Announce Plans For Womens Belt

Elite XC president Gary Shaw announced in a press conference today that Elite XC has plans to introduce a women's 140lb title.

He said that this will be brought in later in the year, and will be the only weight class for the time being, although he hasn't ruled out the possibility of other weights being added in the future.

Shaw said the company also has plans to stage women only events, featuring ten or more women's fights. This is a big development for womens MMA and could help the sport to rise even further. The first belt is expected to be awarded sometime in the fall, and other belts may follow, dependent on the interest from fighters in different weight classes.