Jon's MMA Juggernaut 10.22.08: Say It Ain't So, Elite
Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 10.22.2008
This week The Juggernaut begins to digest the demise of EXC, say farewell to Jason Miller and more.
Dana White: I told you f'ers.
News broke less than forty-eight hours ago that fighters under contract to Pro Elite/EXC were told that CBS/Showtime pulled out of business talks to purchase the flailing company and the end has come. Dave Meltzer broke the news a few weeks ago that Showtime had filed a report with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) to state their intentions to enter negotiations to purchase Elite-XC. Now it appears that the terrible P.R. and legal investigations brought on by the stupid comments of Seth Petruzelli may have scared off the biggest suitor. When there is nobody interested to purchase the promotion and its debt (and there is a lot of it), that spells the end.
If you are a positive person, at least the end came lot quicker than the end of the IFL. Hopefully, no former Pro Elite official will talk about the "homosexual" nature of the ground game in MMA, either.
The MMA world in the United States has taken a turn for the worse automatically with the end of one of the bigger alternatives. Don't think twice, less competition does not improve the sport for anyone. Not even Mr. Dana White and the Fertitta's, no matter what they say.
Affliction seems to be the only company with top talent in the States with the means of putting on shows that people want to see. The AFL, not quite. With Affliction, just hope they don't lose their money like Wall Street, or the UFC will really be the only game in town.
For fighters, the demise of another opportunity is bad. Think of it, how many fighters did EXC have under contract (include K.J. Noons)? Maybe 50? I don't have a real number so it's a total guess. Figure a handful are names and actually have talent who could go to the UFC. Guys like Robbie Lawler, Ninja Rua, Benji Radach, Nick Diaz, Joey Villasenor and the other dudes of that nature probably could move to the big promotion and not miss a beat. Throw in the younger, less experienced fighters like heavyweights Ed Herman and Brett Rogers, and it's a possibility. Kimbo Slice? Probably not. Gina Carano or Christiane Cyborg? We all know how Dana White feels about female fighting, no matter if it is wrong or correct. He's the man in power and that opinion won't change anytime soon.
So think about the fighters who won't go to the UFC based on skill level, personal choice or a lack of jobs available, where do they go? To Japan? Perhaps. However, it isn't as if the Japanese MMA scene is on fire. To smaller promotions inside the U.S.? Does Strikeforce or the AFL want any of these fighters? I'm sure Kimbo wouldn't have trouble finding work if he wishes to pursue his MMA career. Perhaps Bas Rutten could lead Kimbo over to Japan, they love fighters like him.
Hey wait a minute, Kimbo Slice Saves Japanese MMA. I can see it now...
The biggest winners in terms of fighters may be the likes of Jake Shields and K.J. Noons. Assuming that if/when EXC is done, the fighters are free to do what they please (or negotiate to have other promotions purchase their contracts), these three fighters can improve on their current situations. Jake Shields is arguably the best welterweight in the world, not in the UFC. He has shouted to the mountaintops about having no major names to fight (ie. earn big $$$$) with unless he could participate in a co-promoted fight. If UFC brings him in, he can begin to develop his name and fight the best talent in the world.
K.J. Noons is probably doing the happy dance right now. For a long time, he's whined about his contract and the fact that he would rather go full boar into boxing than fight for EXC under his current deal. If the promotion goes the way of the Incas, Noons may be free to negotiate with whomever he wants. Just let him know where Nick Diaz is, so he follow. However, don't expect the UFC to be knocking on his door. If it is one thing Dana White and co. hate worse than female fights, it's whiny fighters. Just ask Roger Huerta...WHO?!
As for Gina Carano. Her door to the UFC may not be built yet, but she remains the best known female fighter in the world. She certainly has not been paid like it though. Who knows if Affliction is interested in promoting a Carano/Cyborg fight, or a promotion in Japan. I guess there's always Hollywood.
The World Just Lost a Little Mayhem
Jason "Mayhem" Miller said he would not be fighting in the near future, stating in an interview, "I don't feel like doing it right now...there's no need." When asked whether he will stay in the sport in some fashion, Mayhem said, "I can't really escape this land of tacky skull tee shirts with bad tattoos." Are you sure he's not a poet?
Mayhem is just a flat out FUN fighter to watch.
Nothing against Tim Sylvia (Japanese bidding war my ass), but why can't he not feel like fighting instead of invading main events on otherwise good shows? Sorry about the rant there...Mayhem is usually a guest on different radio and television MMA shows from ESPN to HD-NET and I am sure he will end up somewhere, making people laugh at stupid things. The Joe Rogan role would be perfect!
The Ultimate Fighter: Junie Browning Fights (Inside the Octagon...in a sanctioned bout)
This evening is the next installment of the Junie Browning show, otherwise known as the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter. It has only been about a month but this season is shaping up to be pretty good when you look at all the antics, the fighters and the coaches. How could you not love Big Nog sacrificing a night to go play teacher to the other team. Frank Mir's complete lack of giving a youknowwhat was awesome as well. You knew at that moment, Nogueira could have kicked or punched Mir's head clean off his shoulders. Did Mir blink? Not for a millisecond.
Last week, there were rumors that the winner was the infamous "Anderson Silva" clone...I'm not so sure. First of all, I wonder what Dana White was drinking when he compared a TUF fighter to ANDERSON SILVA in the first place.
Tonight's episode features Junie's first organized fight since earning a spot in the house. From the clips shown last week, it looked to be a slobberknocker. I wonder if the other members of Team Mir were hoping for a Junie loss during the fight...or perhaps not on second thought. Remember, the eliminated fighters remain in the house. Imagine a Junie Browning with nothing to fight for. I hope there are no civilians nearby.
Next week, I will try to find updates on Randy Couture and Brock Lesnar and their fight as well as a look at the aftermath of UFC 90. You can check out all of the MMA Zone's predictions in the Roundtable later in the week. Normally, I would ell you to watch the fights but apparently, a fighter's dumb remarks can kill a promotion anyway. So do what you want.
