All the talk in the past 24 hours about CBS — a major television network — beaming EliteXC mixed martial arts bouts into tens of millions of homes nationwide in a primetime slot have today been confirmed.
ProElite — the parent company of EliteXC — issued a press release that reveals a multi-year deal has been struck with CBS to broadcast four LIVE two-hour EliteXC events annually on Saturday nights.
EliteXC already stages live shows on the premium cable channel Showtime, which is owned by the CBS Television Network.
Here’s a snip from Douglas DeLuca, Chief Executive Officer of ProElite, on the landmark agreement:
“This is a pivotal moment for the sport of mixed martial arts now that a major television network plans to broadcast live MMA events during primetime hours. We are delighted to enhance our partnership with CBS to bring American audiences the very best in MMA competition through our EliteXC brand.”
In addition, CBS and ProElite.com will collaborate on generating interactive content for both companies’ platforms, including online offerings that could include streaming of events and clips syndicated across the CBS Audience Network, according to the release.
ProElite.com often streams the non-televised portions of its fight cards free over the Internet. Perhaps these will also now be featured on CBSSports.com in addition to other “enhanced content.”
Naturally, EliteXC Events Live President shared his thoughts on the new partnership.
Here’s a snip:
“Broadcasting our events on CBS will instantly engage a new fan base, as well as provide an opportunity for EliteXC to further establish itself as the world’s premier MMA organization.”
No official word or timetable was given for the debut event. However, sources such as Yahoo!Sports.com indicate that it could be as soon as April and feature “Internet street-fighting sensation” Kimbo Slice in an event that will take place in either Atlantic City, N.J. or the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
This is enormous news for EliteXC, as well as the sport of mixed martial arts. It’s no secret that the UFC — certainly the most popular mixed martial arts brand in the United States — was gunning for a similar deal with CBS.
However, disagreements over the creative control of the production of the events reportedly sunk the deal, as well as a potential deal with HBO.
Once again EliteXC has beat UFC to the punch. It remains to be seen whether or not UFC President Dana White has an ace up his sleeve and can somehow trump this news with a looming announcement that his promotion has reached a similar deal with a major network such as ABC or FOX.
For now, however, it’s EliteXC’s turn in the spotlight. Hopefully, the promotion understands the importance this deal has on the growth and perception of the sport and can elevate it to a whole new level.
It’s a massive responsibility.
81 Comments »
Looks like that cat is “officially” out of the bag now.
In the name of rick flair…
WWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
elite xc stock just rose, ufc could have had this, i am hoping they will counter on fox for me this is great i get cable, showtime and all but i do not get spike tv for some reason, so at least i could stay home for this
thank you dana white for letting silde by you and let a sleazy boxing promoter get a solid grip on mma!
This is HUGE. I would be so much more comfortable about it if it was the UFC getting the TV deal. We’ll see how EliteXC handles this. I’m a bit skeptical of their ability to keep their promotion from turning into a circus. We need less Tank and more Shields and Diaz.
Hopefully they’ll fire Bill Goldberg.
So the first thing all these bible belt midwesterners are going to see is the backyard brawls of kimbo slice and his transformation into a “legit” MMA force. Lord help us. This is exactly the wrong kind of message to send. I think it’s bad. And if Dana wasn’t such a control freak it could have been so much better. Maybe he doesn’t realize how his actions and brash demeanor can so negatively affect the sport. It’s not all about the brand, Dana. I guess he just learned his lesson. While trying to protect the brand he covets so much, he may have done more damage to it by letting EliteXC slip in and tarnish the sport with a spectacle like Kimbo. Bravo, Dana White. Bravo.
Seriously, it’s not a good thing to have Kimbo as the face of MMA. What’s next, Wheaties?
yeah i cant wait to see what happens when you put kimbo in there with someone real… bo cantrell took a dive after getting glazed w/ a couple shots… tank abbot is about lighyears away from a real mma fighter… if gary shaw had any nuts he would put him in there w/someone who is gonna test kimbo… “bigfoot” silva maybe???
[quote comment=”332475″]This is HUGE. I would be so much more comfortable about it if it was the UFC getting the TV deal. We’ll see how EliteXC handles this. I’m a bit skeptical of their ability to keep their promotion from turning into a circus. We need less Tank and more Shields and Diaz.
Hopefully they’ll fire Bill Goldberg.[/quote]
Also, this could help ElieXC sign other top guys like Arlovski, Koschek who’s contracts are about to expire. Lets face it there is not a fighter in the world that wouldnt kill to be able to fight PRIME time on a network like CBS.
The UFC has got to do some thing big to counter this!
Right on! Does anyone know how soon the first fight will be broadcast?
NBC with its history of taking chances on various sports programming including XFL, Arena Football, American Gladiators and Saturday Night’s Main Event is a natural partner for UFC. Three out of four of those events did very well for NBC, and three out of four have Vince McMahon’s fingerprints on them, so working with Dana White should not be a problem for the NBC brass. UFC has more marketable fighters with recognizable names, college degrees and Olympic and collegiate backgrounds, rather than a history of maiming people in back yards. It is a much easier product to sell to mainstream audiences. Just because Elite got in there first does not mean that UFC can’t win this little battle.
WELL I GUESS PATIENCE AND PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF ,WONDER IF THEYLL LEND MONEY TO XC FOR SOME GOOD PRELIM MATCHES …THIS MAY VAULT THEM TO NEAR PRIDE STATUS THUS GIVING AN ALMOST LEVEL PLAYING FIELD…..WATCH ,NOW DANA WILL TRY AND SUE SOMEONE ELSE ….ONE MIGHT WATCH ALL THE NEXT 2 OR 4 YRS THE QUALITY OF CARDS WILL GO UP DRASTICALLY,with elite xc not exacting the full lineups of the march show and the apr show it should be real interesting to see
weve got in march./baroni .v . hose,,aina, diaz,and in apr./ weve got ,le.v.shamrock,w,yves edwards,noons,smith,lawler,and daleys retirement fight…wow elite xc keeps swinging for the fences ….WATCH OUT ZUFFA
[quote comment=”332463″]thank you dana white for letting silde by you and let a sleazy boxing promoter get a solid grip on mma![/quote]
DANA WHITE is a GARBAGE type of Company President, this shows his lack of Education, Class and Negotiation skills. He needs to be fired, and the Fertittas can afford a TOP NOTCH President one with solid credentials, education, and experience in managing a company. Dana White IS NOT that man, he carries himself like low class, profanely spoken individual. I wonder how many F-bombs he dropped while meeting with HBO and CBS execs. HE NEEDS TO BE FIRED!
Elite XC landed this and you gotta give it to them.
[quote comment=”332484″]Seriously, it’s not a good thing to have Kimbo as the face of MMA. What’s next, Wheaties?[/quote]
You are 100% freaking correct!! GD it! Thug Kimbo (I dont care if he is a nice guy or not…image he portrays) as the face of all mma? Lawmakers and mma bashers are giggling right this instance. The fans alone that Kimbo is marketed to is right there along with the trash down here in Miami on the streets. The behavior of the crowd at his fight with Tank was atrocious! Yes this is a major step in mainstreaming the sport, but what implications will this have in the long run with Kimbo as the face? A street thug, internet fighter, a former porno bouncer, someone that has little skills outside of slugging. These will be repeated and repeated all across the World in homes where little Johnie will be watching with his parents for the 1st time and we think his parents are going to take this sport seriously?
this is great, alot of people keep bringing up kimbo but he is not there only fighter they have recently signed alot of good talent with more to come i am sure, and even if you don’t like kimbo alot of people find him entertaining to watch so he is marketable.the ufc will have to step up they have done alot of growing but other orgs are making moves and catching some ground on them.either way its good for us more free mma you can’t beat that.
[quote comment=”332524″][quote comment=”332484″]Seriously, it’s not a good thing to have Kimbo as the face of MMA. What’s next, Wheaties?[/quote]
You are 100% freaking correct!! GD it! Thug Kimbo (I dont care if he is a nice guy or not…image he portrays) as the face of all mma? Lawmakers and mma bashers are giggling right this instance. The fans alone that Kimbo is marketed to is right there along with the trash down here in Miami on the streets. The behavior of the crowd at his fight with Tank was atrocious! Yes this is a major step in mainstreaming the sport, but what implications will this have in the long run with Kimbo as the face? A street thug, internet fighter, a former porno bouncer, someone that has little skills outside of slugging. These will be repeated and repeated all across the World in homes where little Johnie will be watching with his parents for the 1st time and we think his parents are going to take this sport seriously?[/quote]
What else can you expect from a fighter (kimbo) who is from Miami? the 305? He represents them just right, as garbage, it’s no wonder so many senators have labeled Miami, a “third world country”.
I doubt we will see Kimbo fight anyone with real credentials for quite some time now. Unless Elite XC is crazy. I mean they just get this deal through and it would be a huge let down to see one of your most popular fighters lose. So we will see Kimbo fighting guys that have very little ground game and do nothing but stand and bang. Exciting to watch but not what makes the sport so special.
I agree though he would have a problem with a much more established fighter. Who knows in a year or two he may know enough to get him through some tough competition but only time will tell.
It will be interesting to see how this pans out. It potentially could spell trouble for the UFC. Although I think that the UFC is big enough now that people still know where the best fighters are. The problem is that if Dana fails to deliver more free events on a major television station such as CBS the UFC could be in trouble. Especially if the EliteXC fighters start making a lot more money. We will see some UFC fighters moving to XC when their contracts are up. You won’t see the guys who have been with the UFC for a long time go anywhere. Truthfully most of those fighters only have a few more good years of fighting left. If Dana doesn’t start satisfying some of these younger fighters we may see a huge migration of talent.
jersey ! kimbo ! long island guy is gunna be there..
u all bash kimbo but i bet ull all be watchin…
suckas
don’t kid yourselfs they have great fighters some top guys and more to come,and they way the ufc keeps losing fighters it won’t be long before they got deep rosters.
WHYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!
Why wasn’t it the UFC, damn.
excellent.
That’s pretty f-ing cool to say the least. I mean it’s Elite XC but still that’s awesome to see some free events. Mark my words though … DANA WHITE WILL TRY AND SCHEDULE TO MAKE SURE HE HAS EVENTS FREE OR PPV ON THOSE SAME DATES.
He is just a big bald headed baby like that. He is the top dawg and doesn’t want anyone to have any market share !!!
That is awesome
First move for CBS to EliteXC…. drop Bill Goldberg.
[quote comment=”332558″]don’t kid yourselfs they have great fighters some top guys and more to come,and they way the ufc keeps losing fighters it won’t be long before they got deep rosters.[/quote]
Who?
Babalu? who wouldnt release a choke hold
Cro Cop? who has lost 2 in a row and said he would be back
Franca? Who is trying to skate around a suspension
Terrell? who’s nickname is Mr. Glass
Randy? wont fight ike his contract he signed stipulates
It is such propaganda that the UFC is in trouble and losing fighters. That is what the competition wants people to think and you guys swallow.
I can’t believe people are on here complaining about FREE fights! I think EliteXC puts on a good production - closest thing to UFC out there. Throw some big network production dollars at it and you’ll have a quality show.
Look at the big picture - try seeing beyond the next 6 or 12 months.
Kimbo slice is not their only fighter. They have a really good stable and they’re getting more almost weekly…..mostly thanks to Dana.
As a side note, STOP complaining about Kimbo and who he’s fighting. The guy only has 3 pro fights - Why should they put him in there with the top guys…..so he can lose quickly like Brock Lesnar did!?
I wonder what The UFC is going to announce today………Maybe some similar news….I Hope!!!!!!
EliteXC please () Bill Goldberg!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this will definetly put them up there w/ the ufc. the ufc will have to do something big to counter. i always wanted to see them on espn. i agree that there should be no complaints about free fights on live t.v. hell you dont even need cable to watch just a antenna or a good set of rabbit ears ha!. john is right with this deal they will be able to sign better fighters and bigger names. to bad randy signed(trying) w/ hdnet, he could have signed w/elitexc and cross-promoted to fight fedor alot easier imo. maybee all 3 m1,hdnet,elitexc will cross-promote. i agree w/ mania as well in that this is a big respnsibility and it is possible that this could hurt mma if they dont handle this properly, but no complaints on my part.
The face of MMA does not need a Porn sponsored one-dimensional fighter who made his way fighting in the backyard (Kimbo). This is a great spotlight for MMA but EliteXC needs a better face to show to the American public and skilled all around fighter to demonstrate what MMA really is. Hope it works out… I think Dana has something up his sleeve to counter this.
This may sound huge, but is it really that important? they had the deal with showtime before UFC had one with HBO and that didn’t do much for them, we still all feel that they are not bigger than the UFC and that they are also turning into a circus. A network deal may sound big but Spike TV has competed with network tv, espn, nba, baseball, etc… in the most competed demographic, the 18 - 34 males.
In the end would you rather see UFN 13 on spike tv or EXC on CBS. They will both have commercials and breaks, and due to conservative history of CBS how about some editing to soften the so called “brutality” of the sport. In the the end we will see if Dana was really overprotective or just a smart business man who wants to keep higher quality for his fans.
UFC is the best period, and I don’t see that changing. I am tired of everybody trash talking Dana White, if it was’nt for him there would be no UFC or any MMA orginazation worth striving for as a fighter. I would rather pay 45.00 per fight for UFC than watch Elite XC for free on CBS.
I bet UFC Unleashed will still have more viewers.
[quote comment=”332541″][quote comment=”332524″][quote comment=”332484″]Seriously, it’s not a good thing to have Kimbo as the face of MMA. What’s next, Wheaties?[/quote]
You are 100% freaking correct!! GD it! Thug Kimbo (I dont care if he is a nice guy or not…image he portrays) as the face of all mma? Lawmakers and mma bashers are giggling right this instance. The fans alone that Kimbo is marketed to is right there along with the trash down here in Miami on the streets. The behavior of the crowd at his fight with Tank was atrocious! Yes this is a major step in mainstreaming the sport, but what implications will this have in the long run with Kimbo as the face? A street thug, internet fighter, a former porno bouncer, someone that has little skills outside of slugging. These will be repeated and repeated all across the World in homes where little Johnie will be watching with his parents for the 1st time and we think his parents are going to take this sport seriously?[/quote]
What else can you expect from a fighter (kimbo) who is from Miami? the 305? He represents them just right, as garbage, it’s no wonder so many senators have labeled Miami, a “third world country”.[/quote]
I will admit that this worries me
POW! The UFC just took another hit !
Hey, has anybody seen Dana’s Hummer for sale on e-bay?
HA HA HA
[quote comment=”332673″]UFC is the best period, and I don’t see that changing. I am tired of everybody trash talking Dana White, if it was’nt for him there would be no UFC or any MMA orginazation worth striving for as a fighter. I would rather pay 45.00 per fight for UFC than watch Elite XC for free on CBS.[/quote]
thats because your a ufc fan and not a mma fan,i will watch all mma events nobody said they where better than the ufc but like tony said how can you complain about free mma.
This is bad for MMA, in my opinion. The way I see it, nobody’s going to watch EliteXC because most people aren’t MMA fans, they’re UFC fans. When the ratings come out and are as low as I think they’re going to be, no network is going to take another chance on MMA again, UFC or not. People can bash Dana and the UFC all they want, but the fact is what’s good for the UFC is good for MMA. If the UFC folds, so does the sport of MMA.
I don’t care for Kimbo’s past, but he has obviously been working really hard to transform into a legit MMA fighter. So I’ll cut him some slack. I don’t particularly want him to be the face of MMA though. Hopefully EliteXC can sign AA and put him up against Kimbo for the first CBS show.
[quote comment=”332724″]This is bad for MMA, in my opinion. The way I see it, nobody’s going to watch EliteXC because most people aren’t MMA fans, they’re UFC fans. When the ratings come out and are as low as I think they’re going to be, no network is going to take another chance on MMA again, UFC or not. People can bash Dana and the UFC all they want, but the fact is what’s good for the UFC is good for MMA. If the UFC folds, so does the sport of MMA.[/quote]
thats a shame that you feel that way there is alot of good mma going around in all types of events, even in small shows there is great fights.if your are only interested in a name you are missing out,there are no name fighters that put on a great show.i can’t understand that if you enjoy the ufc how you can’t enjoy mma.its your loss.
I HATE DANA WHITE
The announcement was a new deal with Budlight.
That’s it..no network deal
The UFC struck a deal with SETANTA SPORTS our side of the pond. That’s kind of a big deal for us. Surely the UFC will do a deal with one of the big networks.
Dana White is a great promoter!…
EliteXC can broker a deal with a major national television station and the UFC is on Spike.
Dana White is a great promoter?
[quote comment=”332605″][quote comment=”332558″]don’t kid yourselfs they have great fighters some top guys and more to come,and they way the ufc keeps losing fighters it won’t be long before they got deep rosters.[/quote]
Who?
Babalu? who wouldnt release a choke hold
Cro Cop? who has lost 2 in a row and said he would be back
Franca? Who is trying to skate around a suspension
Terrell? who’s nickname is Mr. Glass
Randy? wont fight ike his contract he signed stipulates
It is such propaganda that the UFC is in trouble and losing fighters. That is what the competition wants people to think and you guys swallow.[/quote]
try nick diaz,jake shields,robbie lawler,david loiseau,frank shamrock,kala kolohe hose,kj noons,mike pyle,renzo garcie,scott smith,and ninja rua to name a few.the ufc is great and i love to watch it but i think you are buying into there propaganda that that is the only thing worth watching.
[quote comment=”332788″]The UFC struck a deal with SETANTA SPORTS our side of the pond. That’s kind of a big deal for us. Surely the UFC will do a deal with one of the big networks.[/quote]
No its not a big deal, in fact it sucks that they did a deal with Setana Sports. I don’t have Setana Sports, and I’m not going to get it either just for UFC, Sky tv is enough money to spend for me I’m not spending anymore and I’m quite a big fan. Theres not many big fans of mma in U.K mainly casual fans, how many people are going to get Setana Sports just to see UFC? Does Dana White know how easy it is to download a torrent? Because that’s what i’ll be doing as soon as UFC leaves Bravo, and so will a lot of other people.
[quote comment=”332807″][quote comment=”332605″][quote comment=”332558″]don’t kid yourselfs they have great fighters some top guys and more to come,and they way the ufc keeps losing fighters it won’t be long before they got deep rosters.[/quote]
Who?
Babalu? who wouldnt release a choke hold
Cro Cop? who has lost 2 in a row and said he would be back
Franca? Who is trying to skate around a suspension
Terrell? who’s nickname is Mr. Glass
Randy? wont fight ike his contract he signed stipulates
It is such propaganda that the UFC is in trouble and losing fighters. That is what the competition wants people to think and you guys swallow.[/quote]
try nick diaz,jake shields,robbie lawler,david loiseau,frank shamrock,kala kolohe hose,kj noons,mike pyle,renzo garcie,scott smith,and ninja rua to name a few.the ufc is great and i love to watch it but i think you are buying into there propaganda that that is the only thing worth watching.[/quote]
Nick Diaz wont keep his mouth shut (and I am a Diaz fan)
Shields - when did he fight in the UFC?
Lawler - went 4-3 in the octagon and beat no one of note
Loiseau - please!!
Shamrock - good fighter, was vanquished years ago, no relevance for todays “UFC better stop losing its fighters”
hose - Who did he fight in the UFC?
Noons - Again, never faught in the UFC
Pyle - never faught
Come on! You named a bunch of fighters that have never had any affiliation with the UFC so how did they lose them?
Elite xc is ganna receive a total makeover before it hits the airways on CBS from a production stand point.
There is no way in hell cbs will put on a show like elite xc just put on.
Yawn wake me up when there is a 24 hour mma channel.
Oh yeah I think Kimbo needs to fight Kimo. Loser changes their name.
[quote comment=”332762″][quote comment=”332724″]This is bad for MMA, in my opinion. The way I see it, nobody’s going to watch EliteXC because most people aren’t MMA fans, they’re UFC fans. When the ratings come out and are as low as I think they’re going to be, no network is going to take another chance on MMA again, UFC or not. People can bash Dana and the UFC all they want, but the fact is what’s good for the UFC is good for MMA. If the UFC folds, so does the sport of MMA.[/quote]
thats a shame that you feel that way there is alot of good mma going around in all types of events, even in small shows there is great fights.if your are only interested in a name you are missing out,there are no name fighters that put on a great show.i can’t understand that if you enjoy the ufc how you can’t enjoy mma.its your loss.[/quote]
I didn’t say I don’t like other MMA. I said most people don’t. I watch all MMA when I can. I know that at any time, two fighters can put on a great show in an octagon or ring. I will most likely watch EXC if it’s free because I love the sport. My point is, though, that not everyone is that hardcore.
Most people that watch MMA watch the UFC… and that’s it. It makes sense. How many football fans are there in the USA? How many of them watched the XFL? Or watch the AFL? How many basketball fans are there? How many watch the WNBA? The fact that there are other leagues of these established sports isn’t too big a deal. But when a sport is growing, it becomes a big deal because it’s all about acceptance at this point. I don’t think most people will give a crap about EliteXC, and ratings will suffer, and therefore acceptance will be hindered yet again. That’s all I’m saying.
Again, I’ve said it a million times now, what’s good for the UFC is good for MMA, and vice versa.
You have to think that dana knew elitexc was on the verge of signing a major network deal so he waited until they annnounced it publicly and then immedieately announced the bud light deal which more than likely had been finalized weeks earlier.
Of course these tactics are nothing knew he did the same thing when Randy was giving his press conference
This is good news in the short term for us as MMA fans, more free MMA is a good thing.
I’m just not sure this is the best thing in the long run if they use Kimbo for the first main fight and have the ring girls dancing around everywhere. I’ve been impressed with the shows on Showtime recently but I’m not sure a guy with Kimbo and girls dancing around are the best first impression for a lot of people. If done right this can be a huge step in the right direction though.
[quote comment=”332878″][quote comment=”332807″][quote comment=”332605″][quote comment=”332558″]don’t kid yourselfs they have great fighters some top guys and more to come,and they way the ufc keeps losing fighters it won’t be long before they got deep rosters.[/quote]
Who?
Babalu? who wouldnt release a choke hold
Cro Cop? who has lost 2 in a row and said he would be back
Franca? Who is trying to skate around a suspension
Terrell? who’s nickname is Mr. Glass
Randy? wont fight ike his contract he signed stipulates
It is such propaganda that the UFC is in trouble and losing fighters. That is what the competition wants people to think and you guys swallow.[/quote]
try nick diaz,jake shields,robbie lawler,david loiseau,frank shamrock,kala kolohe hose,kj noons,mike pyle,renzo garcie,scott smith,and ninja rua to name a few.the ufc is great and i love to watch it but i think you are buying into there propaganda that that is the only thing worth watching.[/quote]
Nick Diaz wont keep his mouth shut (and I am a Diaz fan)
Shields - when did he fight in the UFC?
Lawler - went 4-3 in the octagon and beat no one of note
Loiseau - please!!
Shamrock - good fighter, was vanquished years ago, no relevance for todays “UFC better stop losing its fighters”
hose - Who did he fight in the UFC?
Noons - Again, never faught in the UFC
Pyle - never faught
Come on! You named a bunch of fighters that have never had any affiliation with the UFC so how did they lose them?[/quote]
i am not saying the ufc lost them i am saying they do have good fighters
[quote comment=”332924″][quote comment=”332762″][quote comment=”332724″]This is bad for MMA, in my opinion. The way I see it, nobody’s going to watch EliteXC because most people aren’t MMA fans, they’re UFC fans. When the ratings come out and are as low as I think they’re going to be, no network is going to take another chance on MMA again, UFC or not. People can bash Dana and the UFC all they want, but the fact is what’s good for the UFC is good for MMA. If the UFC folds, so does the sport of MMA.[/quote]
thats a shame that you feel that way there is alot of good mma going around in all types of events, even in small shows there is great fights.if your are only interested in a name you are missing out,there are no name fighters that put on a great show.i can’t understand that if you enjoy the ufc how you can’t enjoy mma.its your loss.[/quote]
I didn’t say I don’t like other MMA. I said most people don’t. I watch all MMA when I can. I know that at any time, two fighters can put on a great show in an octagon or ring. I will most likely watch EXC if it’s free because I love the sport. My point is, though, that not everyone is that hardcore.
Most people that watch MMA watch the UFC… and that’s it. It makes sense. How many football fans are there in the USA? How many of them watched the XFL? Or watch the AFL? How many basketball fans are there? How many watch the WNBA? The fact that there are other leagues of these established sports isn’t too big a deal. But when a sport is growing, it becomes a big deal because it’s all about acceptance at this point. I don’t think most people will give a crap about EliteXC, and ratings will suffer, and therefore acceptance will be hindered yet again. That’s all I’m saying.
Again, I’ve said it a million times now, what’s good for the UFC is good for MMA, and vice versa.[/quote]
i see your point but disagree, elite does have good fighters not near as deep as the ufc but i think they will put on a good show,and like you said the sport is growing right now people think ufc is mma but it is so new to alot of people they don’t know the difference so if its on tv and free they will watch if they are truly interested in becoming a fan of mma.its early to say it will fail or do well but its a start and i beleave good for the sport as a whole not just the ufc.
[quote comment=”332649″]The face of MMA does not need a Porn sponsored one-dimensional fighter who made his way fighting in the backyard (Kimbo). This is a great spotlight for MMA but EliteXC needs a better face to show to the American public and skilled all around fighter to demonstrate what MMA really is. Hope it works out… I think Dana has something up his sleeve to counter this.[/quote]
LOL… pornstar fighter”’ that is funny!
DAMN GOOD NEWS EVERYWHERE THIS ROX
[quote comment=”332755″]I don’t care for Kimbo’s past, but he has obviously been working really hard to transform into a legit MMA fighter. So I’ll cut him some slack. I don’t particularly want him to be the face of MMA though. Hopefully EliteXC can sign AA and put him up against Kimbo for the first CBS show.[/quote]
This is really interesting… I was ok with Kimbo coming up slowly… but now”’ I believe he has to go against other marque fighters”’
Very good article about this at:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=dm-elitecbs022808&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Anyone else concerned about some of Kimbo’s sponsors? Mainly, a ceratin porn company that sponsors him. How the hell is this going to look coupled with the “backyard brawler” videos? Not to mention a promotor the head of EliteXC screaming “305, baby, remember the 305″. MMA is going to suffer because a hack promotion is going to air on national televison.
I’d really like to hear the Fertitta’s take on this EliteXC deal. Personally, I think that it is time for Dana to be replaced. “His way or the highway” may have been a good attitude as the UFC was becoming established, but the landscape has changed. Dana has been responsible to some extent for a lot of bad UFC news lately. Dana has basically given EliteXC some legitimacy for the time being. Bad move from a business standpoint. Obviously it is not guarantee that this will be successful and I’m sure that CBS has an “escape clause”, but Dana and the Fertitta’s could someday really regret not taking the CBS deal. It seems kind of sad that with all the well trained and talented fighters out there (who have paid their dues)someone as unskilled as Kimbo Slice gets to possibly headline a card on CBS. I wonder what Mark Cuban’s thoughts are on this matter?
[quote comment=”333086″]I’d really like to hear the Fertitta’s take on this EliteXC deal. Personally, I think that it is time for Dana to be replaced. “His way or the highway” may have been a good attitude as the UFC was becoming established, but the landscape has changed. Dana has been responsible to some extent for a lot of bad UFC news lately. Dana has basically given EliteXC some legitimacy for the time being. Bad move from a business standpoint. Obviously it is not guarantee that this will be successful and I’m sure that CBS has an “escape clause”, but Dana and the Fertitta’s could someday really regret not taking the CBS deal. It seems kind of sad that with all the well trained and talented fighters out there (who have paid their dues)someone as unskilled as Kimbo Slice gets to possibly headline a card on CBS. I wonder what Mark Cuban’s thoughts are on this matter?[/quote]
Come on man Dana deserves more respect than that. Where would MMA be without him……think about it.
[quote comment=”333099″][quote comment=”333086″]I’d really like to hear the Fertitta’s take on this EliteXC deal. Personally, I think that it is time for Dana to be replaced. “His way or the highway” may have been a good attitude as the UFC was becoming established, but the landscape has changed. Dana has been responsible to some extent for a lot of bad UFC news lately. Dana has basically given EliteXC some legitimacy for the time being. Bad move from a business standpoint. Obviously it is not guarantee that this will be successful and I’m sure that CBS has an “escape clause”, but Dana and the Fertitta’s could someday really regret not taking the CBS deal. It seems kind of sad that with all the well trained and talented fighters out there (who have paid their dues)someone as unskilled as Kimbo Slice gets to possibly headline a card on CBS. I wonder what Mark Cuban’s thoughts are on this matter?[/quote]
Come on man Dana deserves more respect than that. Where would MMA be without him……think about it.[/quote]
I agree that Dana has been pivotal. I just find it disappointing that he has let EliteXC “get their leg in the door”. I find it hard to believe that CBS will not “sanitize” the broadcast. From the little information that has surfaced about this deal, I’d say that the odds are against EliteXC making this work.
You here wait Dana said about Elite XC signing with CBS and why the UFC didnt sign with CBS….
Quote Dana: “So what CBS isn’t even a top 5 network”…….”Crazy F***in CBSians”
lol
[quote comment=”333135″]You here wait Dana said about Elite XC signing with CBS and why the UFC didnt sign with CBS….
Quote Dana: “So what CBS isn’t even a top 5 network”…….”Crazy F***in CBSians”
lol[/quote]
that sounds like dana good one john.
This deal is not as good as it appears on the surface. Basically, it’s equivalent to an informmercial. It’s basically a time buy with a few wrinkles. At some level though, it must be a bit irritating to DW. Saturday night TV shows have low ratings. One analyst believes that they would have to get at least as many people to watch it as watched the Henderson - Rampage fight to even come close to breaking even. That seems unlikely. I wish that Lrenzo Fertitta would make a statement. What I don’t understand is why would CBS even bother when EliteXC is second tier?
you guys sounds like a broken record. “wahhhh dana white has ruined everything.” “wahhh dana white kicked my puppy!” “wahh dana white had his way with my mom and made me watch”
Best news for MMA this year. The UFC is slowly watering itself down and becoming increasingly compromised so hopefully this will get them back on track.
Bring on co-sanctioned events and better business practices than boxing….please…..
People, we’re staring into the looking glass here, Alison in Wonder Land style.
I bet we see a cross promotion between XC and HDNet fights. Maybe a little Fedor in prime time?? Fedor Kimbo??????? Why not?
Anybody who hates on this is a UFC fan and not a fan of MMA!!
Whether you think Elite is minor leagues or not I’ll pose a question:
Can a person enjoy the NBA (professional, top tier basketball, best in the world)
and enjoy NCAA basketball (not professionals, not the best, but still GREAT basketball)
Can a person enjoy the NFL (profession, top tier, the best in the world)
and still enjoy NCAA football (not professional, not the best, but GREAT football)
heck, guys who enjoy pro and college, get just as much enjoyment out of a good high school game…
WHY?
Because you love the game not the brand.
Do you not go and support your kid who plays little league or Pop Warner because he’s not a pro?
I have HDNET, SPIKE, Showtime, Versus,IFL, and I watch ALL of the MMA and the same way UFC has some dud fights, so does Elite, but the same way UFC has some classics so does HDNET.
Dont be a brand name,high brow diva, if you enjoy MMA you enjoy it not matter who is fighting.
This is a collossal(sp?) deal- getting any MMA event onto a major network. This is great for both EliteXC and the UFC. Just as it seemed like broader interest in MMA was diminishing. IFL seems to have petered out, WEC isn’t shown as much on Versus, Bodog fights- haven’t seen any lately, etc.
The exposure from this event will give all the organizations a boost. On Yahoo Sports, Dan Wetzel is saying the April event is a do or die. But the deal is for 4 events over multiple years. Hopefully he is just saying that to spook all MMA fans so they “turn out” to watch it.
Here’s a snip:
“Broadcasting our events on CBS will instantly engage a new fan base, as well as provide an opportunity for EliteXC to further establish itself as the world’s premier MMA organization.”
Right the worlds MMA organization with only 2 real fighters Frank Shamrock and Jake Shields…Premier MMA!
[quote comment=”333322″]you guys sounds like a broken record. “wahhhh dana white has ruined everything.” “wahhh dana white kicked my puppy!” “wahh dana white had his way with my mom and made me watch”[/quote]
That shit is great, funniest thing I have heard in the first hours of my day. WAaaa Dana White used his whole Fist when giving me my prostate exam….
There should be an on going blog or post…Wahhhh, Dana White….Did this to me….=
[quote comment=”333187″][quote comment=”333135″]You here wait Dana said about Elite XC signing with CBS and why the UFC didnt sign with CBS….
Quote Dana: “So what CBS isn’t even a top 5 network”…….”Crazy F***in CBSians”
lol[/quote]
that sounds like dana good one john.[/quote]
Thanks! LOL