CBS announcers for Elite XC to include Frank Shamrock, Mauro Ranallo and Gus Johnson
By: James Iannotti
Sorry, Bill Goldberg fans, but it appears that the former WWE wrestling star and current Elite XC color commentator will not be in the booth on May 31 when the network television debut of mixed martial arts hits the CBS airwaves live from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. at 10 p.m. ET.
Elite XC and CBS announced their broadcasting team for the “Saturday Night Fights” premiere today, which includes the three-man team of Mauro Ranallo, Gus Johnson and Frank Shamrock. Indeed, the trio will be the voices that introduce mixed martial arts to the network television world.
Ranallo is a long time MMA color commentator. His credentials include three years of calling fights for Pride FC with Bas Rutten and Frank Trigg, numerous jobs as a commentator for various Canadian wrestling shows, and he has been with Elite XC as its go-to play-by-play man for all Elite XC and Sho XC events since the beginning of the promotion in 2006.
Johnson has been with CBS Sports since 1996, mostly as a play-by-play announcer for college basketball’s “March Madness” tournament. He also has experience covering the New York Golden Gloves boxing tournaments, as well as numerous NBA and NFL games.
Shamrock has some experience behind the microphone as well. He’s served as a guest color commentator for both the UFC and Elite XC. He’s always been one who loves to speak his mind — last year he referred to Josh Thomson as the “first openly gay fighter” as he called a Strikeforce show at the Playboy Mansion in September 2007.
It was inaccurate and slanderous, considering “The Punk” is not gay — him and Shamrock just don’t get along.
Shamrock will clearly be right at home in this role … let’s see if CBS gives him a short leash (not like it will matter one way or the other).
Johnson will serve as the primary play-by-play announcer and Ranallo and Shamrock will be the color analysts.
30 Comments »
should be a good show, frank will be interesting as a commentator.
Im Glad We Dont Have To Listen To Golberg … But Im ot Sure About Shamrock And This Johnson Guy.
That’s good news for EliteXC. Goldberg is a neanderthal. I don’t like Frank Shamrock at all, but he’s well spoken and knows his stuff.
huh maybe SpikeTV will give him a second season of “bull run” to host now. LOL
I like how you started the article with a joke. Bill Goldberg fans. LOL. I’m sure he was a great wrestler but he is horrible as an announcer and his in ring interviews make Baby Jesus cry.
LMAO
Thank God they got Goldberg out of there, I just remember once when he finished his pre fight interview with Kimbo one time he just stared right at him for a good five seconds and didn’t even flinch, it was really Awkward
He was calling him out for a fight right there. Anyway I think the name Goldberg doesn’t do any anouncer good. I can’t stand Mike, he’s a total D-bag. Rogan is pro so they should get him someone who can go off what he says instead of repeat it every five seconds like Mike. His interviews are just as bad, he bobbles his head and leans towards while intensely starring at the guy he’s interviewing. Sorry just kinda hate the guy:)
I’m right there with you man, he just dosen’t know anything about mma. But at least they got rid of the guy. Does anybody know if this Gus guys knows ANYTHING about mma? Just because he comentated for golden gloves dosen’t mean he can comentate for mma.
I don’t like the idea of a non-experienced MMA announcer getting the priviledge of calling the first ever primetime network event. I can’t stand the Fight Professor, but what was Stephen Quadros already booked or something? Will Goldberg still announce the events that air on showtime?
I’m not going to cut on Gus Johnson (yet) since I haven’t heard him announce yet. Just not what I was expecting. If they wanted to get a big time CBS March Madness announcer, why not Jim Nantz, Billy Packer, or Dick Enberg?
They should get Jim Brown back!
or don “the dragon” wilson.
LOL, forgot about him
Am I the only who feels that Bill Goldberg should have been an announcer for this specific event? There are many wrestling fans who will probably be watching this and if they hear or notice Bill Goldberg, they could continue to watch. For example, sometimes I watch Inside the NBA just to hear what the special guests might say. Don’t get me wrong though, I don’t care for his commentary.
Yes, you are the only one.
They are trying to stay clear of the wrestling fan mentality. That is why they are getting rid of him (beside him being a windbag) MMA is a sport not a spectacle and by putting someone who knows what they are talking about ie: Shamrock- it will make the event seem much more professional than anything Goldberg is capable of.
Happen to like the guy as a person but he has no business in the MMA world.
spub, I can understand where you’re coming from. Thetuf75 also makes some excellent points as well.
But the UFC is milking Brock Lesnar for all of his WWE fans, so what is the problem with EliteXC picking up some extra wrestling fans?
PS. I can’t stand Goldberg, I am not defending him, just saying…
Anyone is better than Bill Goldberg.
Thank GOD we don’t have to listen to that screaming mess Bill Goldberg.
Hopefully they keep him away permanently.
What about Jim Lampley? I hear he loves other fighting forms such as Mixed Martial Arts.
Good move, CBS. And I happen to really like Ranallo. Too bad Bas can’t be in there with him, although those two goof around a bit too much sometimes. lol
I’ve been watching a lot of fights online lately with Japanese commentating. While it was fine at first, it’s nice to hear commentators who know their stuff talk about the techniques/strategies the fighters are using.
Gus Johnson!!?? Don’t get me wrong he is great at doing the college basketball thing, but MMA i dont think so odds are he states the obvious and will have a role and stick to it, however i could see him rubbing good ol’ Ken the wrong way and have a on the air meltdown.
i meant Frank
Gus Johnson is an incredible play by play announcer, but does he really have to announce for Elite XC?
This will be a great test for both warriors. If Nick Diaz fights like he’s fought in his last fights he should have no problems. As long as the Mach doesn’t gas like Gomi we will find out who the top lightwhieght in the world is.
im pretty sure nick diaz and sakurai are middleweights
Im pretty sure your both wrong. As they are Welterweights.
Or Lightweights…
LOLOLOL. WOW…
They can both fight at either WW or LW. As of late, they have been fighting around 160 – 165 lbs.
Gus Johnson is the man. Will be really curious to see if he knows his submssions. Can’t be worse than Mike Goldberg in that respect. If I hear him call one more fighter a “warrior” I’m gonna puke. He is embarrassing I like how the UFC wouldn’t give up its control over production to CBS and lost that deal when they’re production sucks. Hillarious.