Elite XC A Big Hit On CBS

Despite fans opinions of the event, Elite XC's first Saturday Night Fights, held on Saturday night on CBS, was a big hit.

In the first two hours of the broadcast, the show had over 4 million viewers. Here are the official statstics for the event:

According to preliminary Nielsen ratings for Saturday, the 9 to 11 p.m. Eastern portion of the show did a 2.7 rating and a 5 share, an audience of 4.3 million viewers. "Saturday Night Fights" swept the two-hour time slot in adults and males, leading the ratings’ pack in the following demographics: adults 25-54 (1.9/6 share), adults 18-49 (1.9/6), adults 18-34 (1.9/7), men 25-54 (2.6/8), men 18-49 (2.5/8) and men 18-34 (2.6/10).

Kimbo And Brett Rogers Exchange Words

In the aftermath of last night's Elite XC/CBS event, members of the media were almost given an exclusive fight at the post fight press conference.

Heavyweight fighter Brett Rogers, coming of a win to Jon Murphy, decided to question Kimbo's ability to fight, and his performance against James Thompson earlier that night.

"I seen some [expletive] today," Rogers said. "I seen some [expletive], some garbage-ass [expletive]. I'm a heavyweight, and I feel I'm a true heavyweight. (James) Thompson? Much respect. But I'm saying it like this. Kimbo Slice, man, that was just garbage, man."

Other heated exchanges occurred, including this little back and forth:

"I'm going to speak it real," Rogers said. "It was garbage. You did tap. You did tap out (and) I was right there."

Kimbo responded immediately."That sounds like a challenge, big dog,"

This exchange resulted in Kimbo's enoturage shouting abuse at Rogers, with Kimbo being held back by Gary Shaw and Jared Shaw, and Phil Baroni holding back Brett Rogers. The pair may well meet up in the cage sometime in the near future.

Elite XC Result Updates

Here are the results as they happen for tonight's Elite XC card. It is currently being broadcast on CBS.

Prelims

Joe Sampieri defeated Mike Groves via TKO (strikes) in Round 1

Zach Makosky defeated Andre Soares via unanimous decision

James "Binky" Jones defeated Calvin Kattar via submission (rear-naked choke) in Round 1
Wilson Reis defeated Justin Robbins via submission (rear-naked choke) in Round 1
Matt Makowski defeated Nick Serra via TKO (fighter unwilling to continue) in Round 2
Carlton Haselrig defeated Carlos Moreno via TKO (fighter wouldn't answer bell) in Round 1
Chris Liguori defeated Jim Bova via TKO (cut) in Round 2

Main Card

Brett Rogers defeated Jon Murphy via TKO (strikes) in Round 1
Joey Villasenor defeated Phil Baroni via TKO (strikes) in Round 1

Gina Carano defeated Kaitlin Young via TKO (doctor stoppage) in Round 1

Robbie Lawler versus Scott Smith was ruled a no contest due to an accidental eye poke. The fight was stopped in round 3 by the doctor. Smith argued that he was ok to continue. Gary Shaw announced that he would award both fighters their win bonuses and there will be a rematch.

Kimbo Slice defeated James Thompson via TKO (strikes) in round 3

Elite XC Weigh In Results

There was once again drama at an Elite XC weigh in, thanks to Gia Carano. Whilst most fighters made weight successfully for the event, Gina missed her target weight of 140lbs by 4.5lbs. She was told to cut 3.5lbs in an hour, as is madatory in this situation, but was then advised by a doctor that she couldn't do this, as her health would be at risk.

Carano's manager had contacted Elite XC officials aproximately two hours before the event, explaining that they didn't expect that Gina would be able to cut weight quicky enough, so a contingency plan was already in place.

Gina's opponent, Kaitlin Young, was given the option to withdraw from the fight, keeping her "show" pay, or to fight regardless of the weight difference, and receive 12.5% of Carano's pay on top of her pay. Young chose the latter, leaving Carano 12.5% down on her base pay.

All other fighters weighed in successfully, and the card is set for tomorrow night. Here are the official weigh in results:

Kimbo Slice (235.5) vs. James Thompson (257)

Robbie Lawler (184.5) vs. Scott Smith (184.5)

Gina Carano (144.5) vs. Kaitlin Young (140.5)

Jon Murphy (260.5) vs. Brett Rogers (263.5)

Phil Baroni (185) vs. Joey Villasenor (184.5)

Carlton Haselrig (263) vs. Carlos Moreno (261)

Jim Bova (160.5) vs. Chris Liguori (161)

Matt Makowski (171) vs. Nick Serra (167)

Wilson Reis (140.5) vs. Justin Robbins (140.5)

James “Binky” Jones (154.5) vs. Calvin Kattar (155.5)

Zach Makovsky (135) vs. Andre Soares (134)

Mike Groves (154) vs. Joe Sampieri (155)

Elite XC Weigh Ins Announced

Elite XC have announced the weigh in details for Saturday's event.

The weigh ins will take place tomorrow outside the Prudential Center in New Jersey at 2PM. Here is the card for the event, which will be aired live on CBS:

Kimbo Slice vs. James “The Colossus” Thompson
Elite XC Middleweight Champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler vs. Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith

Joey Villasenor vs. Phil “The New York Badass” Baroni

Gina “Conviction” Carano vs. Kaitlin Young

Brett “The Grim Rogers vs. Jon Murphy
Carlos Moreno vs. Carlton Haselrig

Chris Liguori vs. Jim Bova

Nick Serra vs. Matt Makowski

Wilson Reis vs. Justin Robbins

James “Binky” Jones vs. Calvin Kattar

Zach Makovsky vs. Andre Soares

Mike Groves vs. Joe Sampieri

UPDATE: New Opponent Confirmed For Carlton Haselrig

Last week we reported that Joe McCall was unable to fight Carlton Haselrig at Elite XC: Primetime on May 31st due to an illness in the family. (See here for original story http://mmatrivia.blogspot.com/2008/05/update-joe-mccall-out-of-may-31st-fight.html)

Elite XC have now announced a replacement for this bout. Haselrig will now take on Elite XC newcomer Carlos Moreno. Moreno was, in fact the fourth person Elite XC had arranged to fight Haselrig. The first was Bobby Jones, former Giants offensive linesman. Jones was forced to turn down the fight due to a neck injury. The second, Jarrod Bunch, agreed to the bout but then refused to sign due to a financial dispute. The third was Joe McCall, who pulled out last week due to family illness, leaving Moreno to take the fight.

Additional Anouncer Added To Elite XC/CBS Card

Yesterday we announced the broadcasting team for the Elite XC/CBS show on May 31st. (See here for original story http://mmatrivia.blogspot.com/2008/05/elite-xc-announces-cbs-broadcasting.html)

Today, CBS have announced a fourth person, in the form of Showtime Boxing announcer Karyn Bryant. Bryant has been added as a third color commentator, leaving Gus Johnson as the only true play by play announcer on the team. Frank Shamrock is expected to assist as an analyst as well as a color commentator.

Four people in a booth seems a little odd, with most promotions settling for only two. This is a new direction for Elite XC and hopefully it will pay off.

Elite XC Ticket Sales Soaring

According to the Prudential Center in New Jersey, ticket sales for the Elite XC/CBS card are selling like hot cakes, with over 5,000 tickets sold to date, and a further surge expected in the next two weeks.

In a press conference last week, Elite XC president Gary Shaw confirmed that the Prudential Center is set up to hold at 12,000 people, and Elite XC expects to fill this quota.

The event is expected to do extremely well on CBS, as it will be the first time an MMA event has ever aired on U.S. prime time TV. UFC president Dana White attempted to set up a deal with CBS in the past, but was unsuccessful. He is highly critical of the card Elite XC has put on, saying

"To have CBS, a big network like that, move forward with a guy like Kimbo Slice headlining it - there's no secret, that's what I tried to stay away from," said White during a teleconference on Thursday. "Kimbo Slice isn't a mixed martial artist. This guy was fighting in your backyard three months ago, and now he's going to be headlining on CBS. Personally, I think it sucks."

Gary Shaw was quick to hit back, with a comment that not only sent a message to Dana, but was pretty funny too

"In the UFC, nobody can be bigger than Dana White and the UFC," said Shaw. "In EliteXC, everyone can be bigger than Gary Shaw, at least not in the waistline, but in notoriety and [they] can be bigger than our brand. It's supposed to be about the athletes."

The Elite XC/CBS card will air on CBS on the 31st May.

UPDATE: Joe McCall Out Of May 31st Fight

Yesterday we reported that Carlton Haselrig versus Joe McCall had been added to the Elite XC/CBS card scheduled for May 31st. (See original story here http://mmatrivia.blogspot.com/2008/05/carlton-haselrig-added-to-cbselite-xc.html)

Today it was announced that Joe McCall had had to pull out of the bout due to unforseen family commitmments. McCall was the third opponent approached to fight Haselrig, with the other two not signing due to financial disputes.

Elite XC have not said whether a new opponent will be found for Haselrig, but we will let you know as soon as they do.

Gary Shaw Expects Sell Out Crowd On May 31st

Elite XC President Gary Shaw has announced that he expects their debut show on CBS primetime slot to be a sell out.

The show will primarily be judged a sucess based on it's TV ratings, but as the event is staged in such a large arena, it could well break their records for highest gate too. The show is being held at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, which can hold 19,000 people.

According to Shaw, the tickets have been selling well, with all of the $25 seats sold out, and only a handful of the $1000 V.I.P. seats available.

Elite XC have also named their primary sponsors for the event as Burger King (sponsor of the current series of The Ultimate Fighter) and Rockstar Energy Drink. They have not yet announced their commentary team, but are expected to do so in the next few days. We will bring you more on this subject as it happens.

Carlton Haselrig Added To Elite XC/CBS Card

Former NFL offensive linesman Carlton Haselrig has been booked to fight on Elite XC's CBS card on May 31st.

After much negotiation, Haselrig's opponent will be "Cujo" Joe McCall. Negotions were made with IFL heavyweight Bryan Vetell and Former Giants fullback Jarrod Bunch, but both refused to sign the deal over pay disputes.

This fight completes the undercard for the Elite XC show, to be aired live on CBS in a prime time slot. This is the first time an MMA event has been on a mainstream cable channel at Prime Time.

The complete card for this event is as follows:

Kimbo Slice versus James Thompson

Robbie Lawler versus Scott Smith

Gina Carano versus Kaitlin Young

Brett Rogers versus Jon Murphy

Phil Baroni versus Joey Villasenor

Carlton Haselrig versus Joe McCall

Chris Liguori versus Jim Bova

Nick Serra versus Matt Makowski

Justin Robins versus Wilson Reis

James Jones versus Calvin Kattar

Zach Makovski versus Andre Soares

Joe Sampieri versus Mike Groves

Elite XC Gains New Fighter And New Fight

Elite XC have today announced the signing of a new fighter, Jim Bova.

Bova isn't very well known to fans, but has gone 3-0 since turning pro. He was a finalist in the IFL trials last October. He has fought in smaller organizations for the past year, and has now made it into Elite XC. Not only has he just been signed, he is already booked to fight!

Bova has been booked to fight on the Elite XC/CBS card on May 31st. His opponent will be Chris Liguori.