The MMA News Report 10.22.08

Posted by Morgan Marx on 10.22.2008

Another major (or semi-major at least) MMA promotion bites the dust, a rush to sign Elite XC talent may begin with a former champion, UFC 92 is officially announced, Brock Lesnar passes a big test, and local MMA in the spotlight. Plus, three great articles from around the blogosphere in this week’s report.

INTRODUCTION

I was going to spend considerable time in the commentary section explaining why I think Clay Guida is overrated and boring. Then I saw the flogging you delivered to my fellow news report columnist (and member of the Black Crowes) Chris Robinson. So we'll be skipping that opinion for the week.

Instead, we've got plenty of breaking news to focus on. Elite XC has folded, the UFC promotional beast chugs along, and I continue to show a bias for Massachusetts-based MMA. Read on…


THE READERS QUESTION

The Reader's Question: Does anyone have anything positive to say about Elite XC (RIP)?


NEWS LEG KICKS

Elite XC to Close This Week



Elite XC parent company Pro Elite, Inc will end operations this week, according to Yahoo Sports.

The organization invested large amounts of money in an attempt to establish itself as a true rival to the UFC crown in MMA. After accruing massive debts by purchasing regional MMA organizations and signing various fighters to contracts above their market value, the company placed itself behind the eight ball.

Rumors suggested that either Showtime Networks Inc or CBS Entertainment would purchase the company, allowing future events to be held as planned. A deal with either entity could not be reached.

Factors associated with the failure of the organization include the costs of purchasing smaller MMA groups, the current economic climate in the country, poor decision making at the executive level, and the bad publicity associated with the recent Kimbo Slice v. Seth Petruzelli controversy.

As many columnists and critics have rushed to toss dirt on the Pro Elite casket, it's important to note that Kimbo aside, the Elite XC CBS events had increased in quality with each successive outing. Elite XC also did wonders for women's MMA, with the recent Gina Carano v. Kelly Kobold fight generating high interest and ratings.

Speculation will now turn to the fighters under the Elite XC banner, and their next destinations. Some will immediately draw interest from the UFC (see below). Others may find the future more uncertain. Dana White has rejected claims that the UFC was interested in Kimbo Slice in the past. After his recent performance, it would take a pretty large reversal for White to sign the former brawler.

Carano's status is also unknown. White has declared that the UFC has no interest in women's MMA, and while commentators have suggested that the WEC could use a woman's division, I would be surprised if it bucked the company line. A more likely destination is Affliction. Carano, who has been criticized in the past for devoting energy to interests outside of MMA, has the notoriety to explore other options. For other female competitors, the choice will be more limited.

One benefit from Pro Elite's bankruptcy is that regional MMA promotions may be able to sign fighters with an increased profile. Groups like Strikeforce will likely sign several of the second tier fighters, increasing their overall talent pool.

Stay tuned to 411Mania for continued coverage of the fallout out surrounding Pro Elite and the futures of fighters involved with the company.

Sources: Yahoo Sports

Shields Tabs UFC as Likely Destination



In an interview with MMAWeerkly.com, Jake Shields indicated that the UFC is preferred landing spot following the failure of Pre Elite, Inc.

Said Shields:

The UFC's the most likely option. That's where I'm certainly leaning. That's definitely the number one option I'm looking at. I was on good terms with them before I signed this last contract, so I don't think there should be any problem.

The reigning Elite XC welterweight champion has spoken in the past of his desire to compete against the best in the business. Following recent title defense, Shields namedropped UFC champion Georges St-Pierre as a desired opponent.

It should be noted that prior to his signing with Elite XC, Shields made similar comments about his willingness to test his skills against the UFC welterweights.

Shields, 22-4-1, is currently riding an 11 fight win streak. The Cesar Gracie fighter holds notable wins over WEC Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit, UFC title contender Yushin Okami, and Hayato Sakurai.

The UFC welterweight division is arguably the deepest in the world (granted at this juncture, all of the UFC divisions are at the top of the chain). Shields would slot in among fighters such as GSP, Thiago Alves, Josh Koscheck, Jon Fitch, and possibly BJ Penn. The WEC, where a rematch with Condit could occur, is also an interesting possibility.

Sources: MMAWeekly.com

UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008 officially Announced



UFC.com has officially announced three intriguing fights for UFC 92.

Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin will defend his title against fellow TUF winner Rashad Evans in a main event few would have predicted one year ago.

Griffin, who took the title by out pointing Quinton Jackson at UFC 86, has quickly become one of the most popular fighters on the UFC roster. His size and strength will be a test for Evans, known as an undersized 205er.

Evans recently dispatched arguably the most popular fighter in the MMA universe, delivering a shocking KO blow to the chin of Chuck Liddell. This fight will mark the first time two reality show veterans will face off with a title on the line.

Elsewhere, current TUF coaches Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria and Frank Mir will do battle in one half of the heavyweight title picture. Nogueira, the interim champion, will defend his UFC title for the first time against former champ Mir. The winner of this bout is expected to face off against the winner of the Randy Couture v. Brock Lesnar fight to determine an undisputed UFC heavyweight champion.

Finally, Quinton Jackson will look to bounce back from his title defeat against nemesis Wanderlei Silva. Silva already holds two victories over Jackson dating back to their Pride tenure, including a highlight reel KO due to viscous knee strikes.

Bad blood does exist between the two charismatic figures. Said Silva in the official press release:

I'm not fighting him for money – I'm fighting him for pure pleasure. He talks bad about me on the Internet, yet he won't talk bad to my face. I don't like him and I can't wait to beat him down at UFC 92.

Tickets for the event go on sale this Saturday, October 25 at 10 a.m. PT. UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008 takes place December 27 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sources: UFC.com

UFC 91 Contestants Test Clean

Six fighters scheduled to appear at UFC 91 passed preliminary drug tests, according to MMAJunkie.com.

Both Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture and contender Brock Lesnar were among the fighters that tested negative. Others tested included Amir Sadollah, Nick Cantone, Jorge Gurgel, and Aaron Riley.

The news is of particular interest due to Lesnar's participation in the NSAC administered tests. Dating back to his time with the WWE, steroid suspicions have surrounded Lesnar. Many refuse to believe that Lesnar's massive physique is entirely natural.

In fact, the issue of steroids led to a tense moment on ESPN's Tuesday edition of E:60. When the interviewer began to mention steroids, Lesnar abruptly ended the proceedings and stalked off the set. Later, Lesnar could be heard loudly stating that he had never failed a drug test.

The results of this latest exam support that statement.

Currently, UFC champions are required to submit to drug testing both before and after title defenses.

Sources: MMAJunie.com

WCF Announces Card for November Show

The Massachusetts based World Championship Fighting has announced the line-up for its November 14 show.

Headlining the event is a middleweight showdown between Justin Torrey and Nate Kittredge. Torrey (5-0) and Kittredge (8-1) represent two of the more talented middleweight prospects New England has to offer. Torrey has yet to see a fight go to decision, finishing each of his opponents by strikes.

Elsewhere on the card, local talent takes top billing as Jon Benoit puts his undefeated 6-0 record on the line against lightweight Jon Bermudez. Dan Bonnell will look to extend his unbeaten WCF streak against Dan O'Keefe.

Additionally, Team Sit Yod Tong representative Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov appears on the card. Abdurakhmanov, an assistant wrestling coach at Harvard, was a two-time JUCO wrestling champion, as well as an All-American at (wait for it) American University. Abdurakhmanov, with his wrestling base and DellaGrotte training, could be a name to watch in Northeast MMA (and yes, I just like typing/saying Abdurakhmanov).

The WCF has been home to notable fighters such as Dan Lauzon (brother of, you guessed it, Joe Lauzon) and recent UFC winner Jon Jones, who bested Andre Gusmao as a late replacement. A host of UFC stars have made appearances at WCF events including Kenny Florian, Marcus Davis, and even UFC President Dana White.

WCF 5 takes place November 14 at the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, MA.

Sources: WCFighting.com


LINKS OF THE WEEK

A new feature for the Wednesday Report. Typically, there are many stories that are captivating for a variety of reasons that I don't get a chance to discuss in the News section of the column. From now on, I plan to share them at the end of each report so you guys (and gals) can check them out as well. Why the end? So you're not all leaving me to read a more interesting story. Here's the inaugural batch:

1. Sam Caplan's Behind the Scenes of ProElite and EliteXC's Demise

A fascinating look inside the failure of Pro Elite by a true, err, insider. Sam Caplan's exact role with Pro Elite was always somewhat hazy, but his status within the organization offers true insight as to what went wrong and when. Plus, you can tell that Sam is a 411Mania alumnus due to the typos and punctuation errors throughout his piece. A man after my own heart…

2. Esther Lin's alternative viewpoint on the demise of Elite XC

For some reason, we're contractually obligated to refer to it as the "demise" of Elite XC. Anyway, noted photographer (yes, I watch America's Next Top Model) Esther Lin offers another inside view of the Pro Elite situation. However, Lin succeeds at humanizing the event, reminding readers that many talented, driven people have lost their livelihoods as a result of poor management.

3. Brent Brookhouse's Bloody Elbow analysis of WAMMA

Due to all the Elite XC coverage (and the arrests of Enson Inoue and Luke Cummo), this article has already been pushed off the front page at BloodyElbow.com, arguably the best MMA site for intelligent discussion of the sport (other than 411 and you guys (and gals) of course).

Brookhouse offers a sharp critique of the practices of WAMMA and also reveals one of the more unpleasant sides of sports journalism. Excoriating a personal source is never a pleasant experience. I've interviewed promoters optimistic about their events and realized halfway through the talk that the show is doomed and the promoter has no idea what MMA fans want. And then I've thanked them for their time and wished them the best of luck…


CONCLUSION

Thanks for reading, I hope UFC 90 is more entertaining than this past week's event. Check back later this week for 411Mania's roundtable preview of the event, including my picks. I mean it this week.