411’s ELITEXC/CBS Saturday Night Fights Report 5.31.08
Posted by Larry Csonka on 05.31.2008
ELITEXC debuts on CBS with knockouts, doctor stoppages, and a LOT of controversy!
EliteXC/CBS Saturday Night Fights 5.31.08~!
-LIVE from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey!
-A spiffy video package runs.
-The show has a very "CBS Sports feel" as you would expect.
-The announcers are Gus Johnson, Mauro Ranallo and Frank Shamrock. Gus is pretty hyped for this as is Mauro. They discuss a bit of the history of MMA, its evolution and how it is the fastest growing sport.
-We get a video package for Frank Shamrock, who is out third announcer. Gus welcomes him, and they work in some Bruce Lee talk. Frank appears to be a bit nervous working with the teleprompter. Talk turns to Kimbo Slice, who we see arriving earlier today.
-Back from a commercial and we get a video package, with Frank Shamrock explaining some of the finer points of MMA as well as some of the MMA terminology. This is a smart video package to run to educate potential new fans.
-We get a video package for Brett Rogers vs. Jon Murphy.
-BUSTA RHYMES performs as Rogers comes to the cage.
HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT - Brett Rogers (6-0) vs. Jon Murphy (4-2):
ROUND ONE: The official is Big Dan Miragliota. Here we go, they come out and Rogers looks for leg kicks, Murphy gets a right and backs him off. Clinch, Murphy with lefts and knees by Rogers. Against the cage and Rogers with more knees. Some rights separate them, he drops Murphy with a big right hook and that will be all as Big Dan stops the fight.
-THE RESULT: Brett Rogers via RD1 (1:01) TKO
-Gus Johnson is with Rogers. Rogers says this feels really good right now. It meant a lot to him, and he is moving up the ladder. They go through the replay. Rogers will fight anyone they put in front of him. HE DO'S WORK!
-Back from commercial and we get a video package for Phil Baroni vs. Joey Villasenor.
-Baroni makes a tremendous pro wrestling entrance, including great robe. Marc Coleman is cornering Baroni.
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT - Phil Baroni (10-9) vs. Joey Villasenor (25-6):
ROUND ONE: The official is Big Dan Miragliota. And we're off. They come out throwing, Baroni catches a kick and takes Villasenor down and is working big rights on him. Villasenor with up kicks, gets Baroni off of him and back to the feet. Clinch, knees by Villasenor and a nice right. Villasenor backs off Baroni, to the ground and north south now, guillotine by Villasenor, against the cage and knees now by Villasenor. A right drops Baroni after a combo, Baroni grabs the cage on the way down and Villasenor hits him again and that is all as Big Dan stops it.
-THE RESULT: Joey Villasenor via RD1 (1:11) TKO
-Gus Johnson is with Villasenor. Villasenor puts over Baroni first of all, and then says he found his range and was comfortable. He takes us through the replay. Villasenor says he wants another title shot.
-Back from commercial and earlier today they interviewed Gina. They discuss her conditioning, and she says it is what it is. She sets her own expectations and such, and it keeps her straight.
-We get a video package for Gina Carano vs. Kaitlin Young.
Gina Carano (5-0) vs. Kaitlin Young (4-1) :
ROUND ONE: The official is Kevin Mulhall. And here we go. Straight kick by Carano to begin, a combo and then catches a kick and takes Young down. In the guard, to the feet and they separate. Big right by Carano, a body kick by Young and then a good right. Straight kick by Carano, body kick and cut kick by Young. Clinch, Young takes her down and Carano works the rubber guard. Open guard now, keeps Young close as she postures up. Young works to pass to side and drops a big right. She stands and gets leg kicks to Carano. They throw some kicks and miss, Carano catches a kick and then gets jabs. They trade leg kicks, gets a right and the round ends.
SCORECARD: A very close round I would say, they both connected well enough and then both got a takedown. I am torn, but will go tie here.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins and Young catches a kick, gets a knee and another. They trade shots standing, leg kicks by Young. Young eats a straight right off of a missed kick. Combo by Carano, she looks tired here. They both keep connecting, Young ate a good right from Carano and then a shot the face. They clinch, to the cage and knees by Young separate them. Carano landing good shots now, clinch and they separate. Front kick and a left by Carano. A combo and Carano goes for the kill and keeps landing, drops Young with a front kick! She goes for the rear naked choke, gets the hooks in and working for the choke as the round is close to ending. She looks to have the choke but the round ends!
SCORECARD: Carano dominated that round as Young's face is a mess, especially her left eye. 10-8 Carano.
The doctor calls the fight due to the damage to the left eye of Young.
-THE RESULT: Gina Carano via RD2 TKO (Doctor's Stoppage)
-Gus Johnson is with Gina. Gina says that it was tough and she respects Young. They discuss the weight issue and she says she didn't get to train as she liked, which sucked. She is still into MMA, this fight made sure of that. God is thanked for that. Gina admits that she was sloppy and has to hit the gym to fix that. She thanks her family and corner people, as well as the fans.
-In the back with Kimbo Slice. He says the minute he steps into the cage, Kevin is gone and KIMBO IS ALIVE! He says it is all mental preparation, good trainers and to maintain being a guy. He is out to win and not to prove anything.
-Back from commercial and we get a video package for Lawler vs. Smith.
ROUND ONE: The official is Big Dan Miragliota. They touch and here we go. They circle, Smith in with a high kick and misses. Circling, Smith misses a kick and they both look for an opening. Smith throws another high kick and misses. Smith throws another and misses, as he swung for the fences. Lawler catches him, backs him off and gets a pair of rights. Leg kick, combo by Lawler and a left through the guard of Smith. Cut kick by Smith, misses the high kick and throws jabs. Good jab by Lawler, cut kick by Smith but Lawler with another left. Smith catches him with the head kick now, they both throw wildly and connect. Jabs and a good left by Lawler, backs off Smith and now short rights. Jabs by Lawler, Smith backs him off with a combo but Lawler with more jabs. Smith fakes the high kick, body kick by Lawler that got arm. Another and a jab and that hurt Smith. Another good body kick by Lawler, right hooks and Lawler is getting the better of the round now. Lawler with another good body kick, Smith slips, flying knee by Lawler and a ton of punches and the round ends as Smith was almost out on his feet. Saved by the bell.
SCORECARD: Even a good part of the round, but Lawler dominated the last two-minutes or so with more damaging shots. 10-9 Lawler.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins and Smith with jabs, cut kicks by Lawler and a good left. Combo by Lawler, cut kick and then a hard body kick. Inside cut kick by Smith, but misses the head kick. Smith with hard kicks to the legs and body, but Lawler answers with a right hook. They clinch, BIG knee by Smith and another. Elbow connects, a right as well and then an uppercut. Smith is opening up and now Lawler comes back with four left hooks. Clinch by Lawler, against the cage and he works the body. Lefts by Lawler as he works the dirty boxing. Rights by Lawler, lots of body shots. They work off of the cage, big right and an elbow by Smith. They circle and Lawler back to work with a combo and uppercut. They trade wildly, high kick blocked by Lawler. Smith with body kicks, clinch and they are trading close elbows and rights. They work back center and the round will end. Wow.
SCORECARD: A crazy round with both guys landing a ton of shots. It was close, but I will go Smith 10-9.
ROUND THREE: Leg kicks by Smith to begin round three. They both land, Lawler working the jab here. Smith rushes in, gets a few shots but Lawler gets away. Elbow by Lawler, rights and lefts as well but he is bleeding from the top of the head. Leg kick by Smith again, more jabs by Lawler and Smith. Lawler's jab keeps getting through. Lawler shoots, but Smith sprawls and they escape and go back standing.
We get time here as Smith got a finger in the eye, accident Big Dan says. The doctor examines Smith…and they STOP IT. Smith is PISSED about this and the crowd is NOT happy. Lawler doesn't agree either. We get a BULLSHIT chant.
Smith says he was ready to go, we see the replay and it was off of a block by Lawler. The announcers say that they want to make sure that the fighter's safety is observed here, but this was not what needed on the debut show here as the live crowd is clearly not happy. Smith wasn't even given a full 5-minute injury timeout to see if he would be able to continue.
-THE RESULT: No Contest RD3 (3:26)
-Gus Johnson has the New Jersey Athletic Commissioner there, and he says that Smith said he cannot see two times, so they stopped the fight. Gary Shaw is here and says he will redo the fight soon, and he will pay them both their win bonuses. Lawler is here and says he is disappointed that they couldn't finish the fight for the fans. Smith then says he could have continued, and he wanted his 5-minutes. He would have rather been knocked out than the fight end this way. Lawler says Smith is great and they need to do it again. Smith wanted to bring it, he was feeling good but he may have broken his right foot.
-Back from commercial with a video package for Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson.
-The announcers hype the main event.
HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT - Kimbo Slice (2-0) vs. James Thompson (16-8):
ROUND ONE: The official is Big Dan Miragliota. And here we go! They come out, Kimbo takes Thompson down, back to the feet and against the cage. Thompson gets a takedown, into the guard and Thompson with a few hammer fists. Kimbo pushes him off, to his feet but Thompson take shim back down again. Kimbo keeps him close, Thompson gets side control and Kimbo gets to his feet. To the cage, knees by Thompson and then by Kimbo. Thompson looks for a guillotine, standing, Kimbo gives a thumbs up and knees away at Thompson. Kimbo escapes, big elbow by Kimbo and they separate. Jabs by Thompson, Thompson catches Kimbo with a kick, but Kimbo takes him down. Half guard by Kimbo, elbows to the ribs, and Kimbo gets a neck crank, Thompson to his feet and Thompson gets Kimbo down and gets side control. Short elbows by Thompson, looks for a kimura as he has crucifix position and Kimbo reverses out and gets top position! Elbows by Kimbo, in half guard now and Thompson looks for a kimura, can't get it and a big left by Kimbo as the round ends.
SCORECARD: Well holy shit, Kimbo's been training people! Thompson gets the round for takedowns, but Kimbo did a great job escaping.
ROUND TWO: Round two now and Thompson shoots, takes a body shot by Kimbo. Kimbo starts to land, sprawls and stays up. To the cage they go, knees by Thompson but Kimbo gets away. Thompson looks for a single leg, but Kimbo has a guillotine and Thompson rolls to escape, but Kimbo has it locked again, Thompson escapes and has side control. Short elbows by Thompson, and they get stood up. Kimbo was slow getting up, they trade shots as Thompson is tired as well. Jabs by Kimbo, combo, hook, right and they clinch. Double leg by Thompson, but Kimbo kind of got a DDT there. Thompson on top and against the cage, working short shots and holding Kimbo down. Thompson with a lot of shots, short and soft but now elbows land by Thompson. Kimbo is barely protecting himself, Thompson traps an arm and lands lefts. Back to the elbows and isn't really protecting himself and is tired. How many shots does Thompson have to land? It had to be well over 20-shots. The shots aren't hard by Thompson but he is landing at will, no fight by Kimbo, none at all.. The round ends, but it really should have been stopped.
SCORECARD: Thompson dominated, especially late. 10-9 easily.
ROUND THREE: Round three, Kimbo is slow off of the stool. A big right by Kimbo, he popped Thompson's cauliflower ear! Kimbo is unloading and they stop the fight. The announcers (Johnson) say that Thompson wasn't going down and that it was not a good stoppage.
Kimbo collapses out of exhaustion as the doctor attends to Thompson's popped cauliflower ear.
-THE RESULT: Kimbo Slice via RD3 TKO
-Gus Johnson is with Kimbo, he thanks God and the crowd. Kimbo says he has a long way to go, and he says that he know she busted his ear and the ref made a good stoppage because he was going to attack the ear.
-They hype some of the other ELITEXC fighters and events coming up on Showtime.
-End scene. Please leave some feedback; I am fascinated to hear what people think.
I think that was the biggest load of Bollocks of all time.
Posted By: ButchReedMark (Guest) on May 31, 2008 at 11:58 PM
I don't know anything about MMA or EliteXC, being a WWE fan switching channels and wanting to see this "Kimbo Slice", but man, I don't think this could have gone any worse for the EliteXC and MMA in general.
I only saw the last two fights, as I was watching the Red Wings game, but man, if this was wrestling, this is the equivalents of a DQ in the main event and a count out in the title fight. People tuned in to see Kimbo kill and a title fight they could talk about. Instead, the title fight had a NO FINISH, and Kimbo looked pathetic on the ground in the second, and what could be called an EliteXC decision to put him over in the 3rd. Even a clean loss by Kimbo would have been better, as they could chalk it up as inexperience and have him win a rematch. Instead, it looks like the EliteXC saved him, and the title fight made MMA in general look weak. I don't know what else to say, but I'm sure that CBS, EliteXC, and MMA are shaking their heads right now as they looked like a total bust on national TV, with their big attraction looking beaten by a nobody and their title fight ended by an eye poke.
I mean, come on, even wrestlers can take a thumb to the eye. ;)
Posted By: Justin (Guest) on May 31, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Lawler vs Smith started slow but got really really good till the stoppage. The rest of the show was bush league at best and the Kimbo fight was a joke. WEC is tomorrow thank god!!
Posted By: GSP (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Awful event.
Lawler/Smith was great until the ending....guess they had to hurry it up for CBS and couldn't give Smith 5 minutes to recover.
and Kimbo/Thompson was just an ugly laughable match, that should have been ended in the 2nd.
Good for JT for slapping the ref.
I'll never watch EliteXC again.
Posted By: Stark (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 12:02 AM
I do not think that Dana has anything to worry about. I mean they used the same ref throughout the night and Kimbo was done at the end of the 2nd round. It should have been stopped there. Kimbo is overrated and was protected tonight by the ref. What is this WWE?
Posted By: T-Mac (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 12:03 AM
Bullshit finish to the Kimbo fight. Elite XC fixed the fight to save their poster boy. Thompson was not going down, and Kimbo already failed to put him away in the 2nd round when he rocked him with an uppercut. Besides that why didn't the ref stop the fight when Kimbo layed their like a dead dog for the final 2 minutes of the 2nd round when Thompson just dropped elbow and elbow onto him? I'm also pretty positive Thomspon would of won if it went to the judges. Once again that finish was bullshit.
Posted By: Marcus (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 12:09 AM
Stoppage in the semi-main was absolute BS...and the stoppage in the Kimbo fight was a little premature, although I think Kimbo would have finished him off in another flurry. If Thompson would have managed to take it back to the ground, who knows? Either way, Kimbo was certainly exposed tonight. He is extremely strong, but would get submitted in a heartbeat by any of UFC's top heavyweights, I think. Brock Lesnar would demolish Kimbo in a couple minutes probably, and I am a fan of both guys. He needs to take the lessons learned from this fight and apply them so that he can improve his ground game. Thompson was open for plenty of submissions...Kimbo had him in position for any easy guillotine submission at least twice and just did not have the technique to lock it in.
Posted By: somecoolname (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 12:10 AM
The title fight was a more controversial finish than the Kimbo one. Thompson was out on his feet, had his ear gushing, and he'd have to be real lucky to get another ground positioning like he had in the second round. It might've been a little premature, but with that ear looking like it did, it was most likely the right decision.
The title fight, though, that was complete utter BS. The announcers said that there was a 5 minute rest period, and Smith didn't even get a minute to regain his vision. Seriously, was the doctor trying to say "I can't see" was him being literal, Smith not just saying that cause his vision was temporarily impaired? That was a worse call by far than the Kimbo one, especially on a title fight.
Posted By: Guest. (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 12:15 AM
It should have been over in the 2nd for Kimbo, for sure. But the stoppage in the 3rd wasn't a bad one. Thompson was bleeding profusely from his ear and during the replays his eyes were glossy and crossed after every one of those monster hits.
Kimbo was totally exposed and also completely protected by no stoppage at the end of the 2nd.
The ladies' fight was AWESOME, though. Pretty intense. The rest were quick kills, a no-finish, and what looks like a bullshit protect/stoppage for their "main attraction."
UFC just needs to say "Screw this, CBS you give us a prime time slot and we will show you how this is actually done."
Posted By: Ken B. (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 12:18 AM
what horrible calls in the last 2 fights. it's been said before but lawler smith was great. kimbo obviously doesn't belong, and pretty sure there production was some of the worst show production i've ever seen.
Posted By: adam (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 12:19 AM
This is why the UFC is the only game in town. Far better than this crap.
Posted By: Guest#9660 (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 12:29 AM
So much for Kimbo's vaunted knockout power.
Dude couldn't even KO James"Glass Jaw"Thompson.
Posted By: Guest#4171 (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 12:40 AM
2 points i woudl liek to make -Gary Shaw siad he wanted to be different and better than the UFC in the way of fighters, rules,pay etc
i gave Gay Shaw a chance to prove this ..HOWEVER EXPALIN THIS !!
2) A fighter ask that he get his deserved 5 min break ( 1min 25 secs in ! ) he tells retarded woman Doc i can't see just give me my 5 min due !! ) She stupid cunt calls the fight !! All this in 2 mins ? WTF where was his breather? 5 mins all he had was 1.25 on the colock in and he was swarmed !!
2) Kimbo was taken down and Thompson( no i;m not a fan !!) was working the top and the ref stood them up ? WTF !
Later Kimbo was taken to the ground again being ground and and pounded ( after being taken down ! ) for 43 secs !! And nothing was done !! The Ref never even stopped it Kimbo wen tthrough ( and i counted ) 12 straight shots and 9 elbows UNANSWERED ! ...Yet the ref didn't ask or even bother to be concerned ! I mean 43 secs where kimbo was saved by the bell !! WTF !!
Than during what was a trade off where Kimbo caught Thompson with a shto that popped his ear ( fine ?) the ref jumps in ( no doc envolved ) in th emiddle of an exchange and stops the fight - not only did Thompson seaze the ref by the throat -to where the ref had to say get your hands off me he was alert sur ehe got rocked but alert none the less !!
I mean WTF !!!
These 2 events with very much the retared calls damged any legite hype Elite EX and bones they had to pick with UFC ( which do have their faults as well )
but come on these to fights deflated the air out of me and ruined the rest of my what was going to be an enjoyable night !!!
Posted By: WTF (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 12:40 AM
I was kind of disappointed that they spent the first 20 minutes without having a single fight. Why not have a fight right away? I would imagine most people watching already know about MMA.
I wasn't impressed by the stoppages in the women's, title, and main event fights. I would have liked to see another round in the women's fight.
The title fight was a joke, how the hell can you end it on a no contest? It was just getting good!
Kimbo was a disappointment. They bring in a guy with 2 straight losses and once Kimbo was on the mat he was done. The stoppage was brutal! I thought they wanted Kimbo to knock people out. I think he might have if they continued a little longer and then at least I would have been satisfied with the decision.
Posted By: CoolCraig (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 12:45 AM
lol @ proelite's website having JT listed as the winner.
Posted By: Guest#3311 (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 12:46 AM
Another point I forgot to make. What the hell was with the camera guys. The kept dooming in and out on the close ups during the ring intros. I didn't need to see up Kimbo's nose. It was like the camera guy couldn't stand still. It was a bit annoying.
Posted By: CoolCraig (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 12:49 AM
kimbo looked helpless. that stoppage was BS. i saw a match in WEC where a guy's cauliflower ear exploded and they kept going for 3 more rounds. they knew kimbo was looking bad so they had to do something.
Posted By: rey (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 01:01 AM
Well...it was entertaining, but EliteXC ended up looking like a complete joke and second-rate MMA.
The first two matches weren't anything special and they spent too long with filler in between the fights.
The women's fight was great and the title fight was as well, with the exception of the BS stoppage (where Smith never got his five minutes to recover).
And I haven't seen a pro wrestling match that was more fixed than that. Thompson landed approximately 535325 consecutive elbows and punches (weak shots, but he was still landing them) in a row and the referee tells him to improve his position or he's standing them up. Amazing. I think Kimbo would've knocked him out late in the third round, but the ref realized that Kimbo was in trouble, so he awarded the match to Kimbo after the first flurry of punches he landed. I honestly wouldn't have been surprised if the judges would have given the match to Kimbo if it went to decision.
GG Gary Shaw for running an obviously corrupt and biased company.
Posted By: Pwnage (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 01:15 AM
I work at a CBS affiliate, and I still only managed to catch the Kimbo fight.
There isn't really more that can be said about it. Kimbo looked damn good, (considering the training he's had,) in the first round, finally flexing some ground game. But he was completely gassed a minute into the second round, leaving JT to try his best to pound him into the mat. The Ref protected Kimbo, alright, and I figured Kimbo busted JT's ear open as a last resort, knowing the fight would stop if he did so. And after it all went down, with Kimbo huffing and puffing his way through the aftermath, you could detect the announcers wanting to call bullshit on the stoppage.
It's in the books now, and hopefully Kimbo can get his Cardio up so the next fight isn't such a close call. Do you think his rapid weight loss hindered him in the fight?
Posted By: Mujaki (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 01:21 AM
Yeah the stoppage on the Kimbo fight was BS.
Posted By: jb107502 (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 01:28 AM
the semi-main stoppage was the worst, to me, smith was a little beat-up but it appeared he was fine, and it's not like the were running low on time, considering the show was supposed to be 2 hrs, and went 2 hrs and 45 minutes, give him the 5 minutes, as that was the best fight of the night, the next time they have elite xc, shaw needs to tell officals ring-side, he has minutes give him 5 minutes, as i felt like all the fans in the arena it was a bs call, as for thompson why no give him credit, everyone thought he would be a lamb to slaughter, but he did expose a weakness in kimbo's game and if he wants to be a champ in elite xc, he's going to have to learn cardio, or kimbo could end up like tyson
Posted By: coby preimesberger (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 01:32 AM
Stoppage on all the fights was bs.
CBS would probably shit themselves if they had some Wanderlei Silva type violence going down.
They couldn't handle the rape choke.
Posted By: Guest#1988 (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 01:40 AM
I haven't watched MMA since a UFC PPV back in 1995. So I casually turned in because it was on CBS and wanted to see if this sport could make the big time.
I have to say I was thoroughly entertained. My wife even watched it with me and asked me to tape the Kimbo fight because she couldn't stay awake anymore but was really getting into the show.
The first two matches had my interest (despite being ~60 seconds) and I never thought a chick as hot as Gina could put up the kind of entertaining fight she did. The build-up for the Kimbo fight was amazing. Vince McMahon would have been proud of that hype job. Kimbo got the very cheap win (reminiscent of that German guy that beat the bag out of George Foreman years ago but George got the decision) but this league couldn't have afforded for Kimbo to lose. It was the best they can do short of fixing the fight.
Some downsides: As someone else mentioned, we didn't need 20 minutes of hype before a single match. By the time the first fight ended in 61 seconds, the show as already a half hour old! I realize they needed to set up the fighters well for newbies like me, but they could have at least gone to commercial for the ring introductions to make it flow better.
As much as this league sold me on the Kimbo hype, this seemed rushed and forced. I expected this monster to kill Thompson and he just couldn't keep up with a legit MMAer. As bad as the win was, a loss could have ended any hope this league has of succeeding in the long term. They should have given him another 2-3 months of training before exposing him to the masses like that.
I understand if the hardcore MMAers were disappointed. But I'm a casual fan and they roped me in. In turn, I feel like I'm missing out by not watching UFC and Ultimate Fighter on Spike so perhaps I'll check them out.
But more Gina Carano will have me back for more EliteXC!
Posted By: Jason S (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 02:04 AM
Man, I had high hopes for this shit. There was a local MMA show going on with some guys I know and I missed it to watch this shit. I was fine with the presentation and the dancers and busta rhymes. Like someone said though, they took forever to get to the first fight and that only lasted a minute.
the second match was funny as baroni comes out looking like a cross between austin starr and ric flair! That shit was funny as he had the hoes and the flamboyant persona with the "bad ass" nickname, but proceeded to get knocked the fuck out a minute in like the first fight.
gina carano is cute but i didnt expect much out of the women's fight. it was actually a decent fight and entertaining enough even though I thought the other chick could still go.
the title fight really was bullshit and it was at that point that I knew they fucked up the debut. This should have never happened, and I was thinking the same thing-why did this female doctor immediately call that shit. she shined a light in dude's eyes a few times and it looked like she TOLD him he couldnt fight anymore even though he was clearly telling everyone he was fine! WTF? No disrespect to female doctors, but who gave this sensitive ass bitch the power to stop the match? and if she wasnt the one then whoever did should choke theyself.
finally, kimbo proved what i already knew, he has very limited stamina. he did surprise by showing a small amount of ground game but dude was owning him. kimbo would have just threw haymakers until he could no longer stand if they wouldnt have stopped the fight. i give the brit credit for still standing but he got rocked and that ear popping was nasty, and i doubt cbs wanted to broadcast that shit.
a decent debut i guess. could and should have been a lot better.
Posted By: amusing comments (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 02:10 AM
Allow me to join the BS party. The stoppages were a joke.
I think Scott Smith would've lost in the end, but I gotta give him props for his guts. Great fight until the end.
I think Kimbo would've pulled it off had they stayed on their feet and had he gotten another flurry in. The stoppage though, was pathetic. Thompsons ear was essentially just a big blood blister. It's not like he was bleeding from the eardrum or anything. I'm actually perplexed as to why nobody bothered to drain it before the fight.
Posted By: Burritofueled (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 02:13 AM
Kaitlin Young was asked after the second round if she was ok to continue and she said"I'll do whatever Elitexc wants".
Niiiiiiiiiiice
Posted By: Guest#3339 (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 02:14 AM
Main attraction looks like shit against a can who lost to the curtain jerker - CHECK...Only title fight gets stopped prematurely b/c challenger gets a thumb to the eye - CHECK...Said challenger not given allowable 5 minutes to recover - CHECK...Have Gina Carano admit to being fat and out of shape before the biggest fight of her career - CHECK...sounds like the perfect night if your Dana White.
Posted By: Dane (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 02:22 AM
Damn many of you ppl are clueless. For one thing if this was on showtime this wouldnt of happened. The Robbie fight was great until they stopped it for some bullshit which i agree. Kimbo suprised me with his ground game and if the fight would have staid on the feet it would have been done the first round. Kimbo showed good ground game except the last portion of the 2nd round and that ear of my man was lookin grotesque from the get go and his shit gettin busted was classic. lol i couldnt believe it. than kimbo beat that foo out on his feet and he was really tryin to hit the ref cuz he thought it was kimbo. look at his eyes he was fuckin out.
Posted By: 5&7 (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 03:01 AM
I think that this shit was bullshit.. I think that kimbo was not wining and i think deep down people want to see kimbo get put in his place and rise again. As long as he tries to gain popularity he will in the long run loose the over all battle. Suggestion, Fight some real pros.
Posted By: kreighton (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 03:13 AM
Elite XC just set back the world of MMA 10 years in one night. On the biggest stage in Primetime, Elite XC made a mockery of MMA and no doubt chased away alot of potential fans that tuned in to see the spectacle. Now what many are going to think of is professional wrestling. F.U. Gary Shaw, F.U. Elite XC go bankrupt please.
Posted By: No Kimbo (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 03:22 AM
well i was bumbed all nite cause i had to work and miss the show...but after hearing all the bs im glad i missed it.
Posted By: thegreatdecay (Registered) on June 01, 2008 at 03:36 AM
I think the title fight stoppage was semi-bullshit. I say that because it was mostly Smith's fault. You do not EVER tell an MMA doctor that you can't see. That's about the dumbest thing he could have possibly said in that moment. If I were the doctor I definitely would have given him the 5 minutes to try to recover, but I can see the doctor wanting to error on the side of caution. The safety of the fighters comes before anything else...
As far as Kimbo Slice goes...I have absolutely no idea how this guy got to be such a superstar for EliteXC. I mean, he's only been in 2 sanctioned fights! 2! The fight should have been stopped near the end of the second round for sure...there was absolutely nothing Kimbo could do to get out of it.
That ear looked like it had a fucking tumor growing on it. I had a feeling that nasty looking thing would figure into the end of the fight. Why the hell did they not have that thing pop and drained before the fight? I'm not usually one to believe in conspiracy theories but the main event smelled a little fishy. If Kimbo gets beat by a nobody, what other stars do EliteXC have to lean on? Gina? Please...I think Gary Shaw made an executive decision to protect their "star." It was pathetic how he could barely even breathe after the fight.
Overall EliteXC came off looking completely bush league tonight, and I don't think Dana White has anything to worry about in the near future.
Posted By: Andrew (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 04:38 AM
I think that it was jacked up that three fights were stopped by the doctors and not by the fist of the fighters. I could understand the lady's fight as Young's I was completely jacked, but the title fight and the Kimbo fight should have been allowed to continue. Sort of disapointed from all of the hype but didn't really get the results that I usually get from UFC or even WEC.
Posted By: nate (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 07:31 AM
I'm a fan of MMA and I was wanting this to be the event that launched it into mainstream. All it did was make it look like glorified WWE. It pissed me off. I like Kimbo's humblness but even he knows he was losing that match.
Posted By: newbreedofsux (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 09:46 AM
The whole Gina Carano weight issue is just ridiculous. This is not the first time it happened and someone's seriously gotta say something and it's completely unfair for her opponents.
Posted By: Guest#2838 (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 09:50 AM
I had high hopes for Kimbo but it looked to me like he tapped out.
Posted By: Guest#3067 (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Some of it good, some bad. I really liked the fact that they explained mma positions at the beginning, but headlining with Kimbo was dumb. He should have made the card definitely, but having him over a title fight was dumb. Then they kept referring to Kimbo as the internet street fighting legend, killing his cred as a true transitioning MMA fighter. Not what was needed to highlight such a huge event in MMA. Then after seeing the fight, that is what he looked like, a street fighter, no an MMA fighter. BS stoppage. I think Kimbo would have finished Thompson because he was wobbling, but at least let the man hit the ground. I will say that Kimbo looked good in the first, but gassed out in the second. I don't think he suspected so much fight from Thompson. Big ups to Gina Carano and Katlin Young for a very entertaining introduction to woman's MMA.
Scott Smith also proved that he has alot of heart and him and Robbie Lawler should both be pissed at that kind of stoppage in a TITLE FIGHT!! He should have gotten his 5 min. that was BS. Kimbo needs to train exclusively on the ground. To hell with the stand up, work the ground game because now everyone knows where his weak point is and how weak it is. The guy trains hard, but I think that the elite XC saved his record tonight, but hurt his fighting credibility in the process.
Posted By: Pagan45 (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 11:33 AM
I feel I am echoing the comments of everyone on here, but I have to add my two cents.
I admit, I was psyched coming into the event, but it came off very second rate and very CBS, as Larry put it. Really, the only match of the night was the ladies, who put everything out there for us to see. Anyone think Dana White will put a women's division in the UFC, or maybe Zuffa put one into WEC?
This just leaves me more pumped for Faber/Pulver tonight, which will go above and beyond anything on this card.
Posted By: JamesWI (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 11:42 AM
The title fight was great....until the candy-ass doctors stopped it. I thought this was reminisent of the infamous Hogan/Nash finger poke to the chest title bout back in WCW. Kimbo was disappointing. With all that training he was doing you think his cardio would be great. He did show promise and improvement with his ground work, but he needs work. They clearly saved his ass last nite. The female fight was good. But I believe it was setup to keep the poster girl from losing. I mean she had a 3 week camp and was winded and still beat the shit out of her opponent. I'd still do Gina in a heartbeat though.
The nite was ok...but no rocket ship launch into orbit for MMA. I'd say give the public Chuck Liddell, he always good for a KO.
Posted By: fredtheimpaler (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 11:58 AM
The announcing sucked, the production sucked, the fans booing everything ubber sucked!! I was not impressed.
Posted By: Methoes (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 12:00 PM
The presentation reeked of WCW Nitro, but I can look past that for some good fights, But DAMN them doctors, they really shit the bed.
Posted By: Hunkgolden (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Gina Carano = Ratings...
Posted By: Tim Haught (Registered) on June 01, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Kimbo got his ass beat.
Posted By: MBD (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 01:04 PM
Gina Carano Was the Best fight that night..and she only had 3 weeks of traning ...she is bad ass!!!
Posted By: Supermn619 (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 01:06 PM
I only caught the show from the second round of the title fight on, but wow was that awful. The doctor stoppage was absolutely ridiculous, not much more needs to be said on that. It was the first time that I've actually seen Kimbo fight outside of an animated gif of him knocking out Tank (I haven't even cared enough to watch his lame youtube videos) and wow did he dissapoint. If Thompson was anyone with any sort of submission skills Kimbo would have been done in the first round. If Thompson was any kind of Maui Thai fighter I think Kimbo would get knocked out. He'd eat knees in the clinch like nothing. He was SLLLLOOOOOOWWW, holy man. This show was a joke from the 45-mins I saw and from the report/comments it didn't seem much better elsewhere. It was definetely NOT in the same league as the UFC.
Posted By: Wyku (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 02:38 PM
I actually fell asleep during the show. It was horrible.
Its really too bad that the UFC refuse to let girls fight. They were the best fight of the night. They deserve better than EliteXC.
The Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith fight was good until the special needs doctor stopped it. As for Kimbo...what a joke. I am sure that he will do well there, but he would get eatten alive in the UFC. I'd like to see him train harder, learn more and prove me wrong.
I'm totally looking forward to WEC tonight.
Posted By: Clarkie (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Intersting - Kimbo Slice, Next WWE Champion! Was Vince McMahon calling the shots last night?
Posted By: AL (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 04:11 PM
This thing was a joke. The best two fights were Carano vs. Young which was just ok and Lawler vs. Smith which had a stupid decision ending. The first hour was so much boring filler and not enough fighting and the main event attraction, Kimbo Slice, was made to look like a chump by a guy who was supposed to be an easy victory for him and he looked like he was about to have a heart attack by the end of round 2.
This was prime time, Saturday night television and on a major network. You get that kind of deal, you do everything you can to put on the best show you can and show off the things that you think makes your outfit looks like the best game in town. Either EliteXC didn’t figure that out or they did the best that they could and the best that they could do still looked like amateur hour at the local gym.
And what the hell was up with the officiating on that show? You’ve got a title fight to show off and, just when it really starts getting good, you’re going to call it a no contest rather than give a fighter the full five to let his eye clear up after an accidental poke? Kimbo is on the ground, basically defenseless, barely moving and getting pounded by punches and elbows for at least a minute as the second round of his fight ends with no referee stoppage, but Thompson’s ear starts bleeding and the fight is stopped in nothing flat?
Like I said, it looked like amateur hour at the local gym. There were a few fighters that looked like they could be great later down the road with some more experience and the chance to fight for a real promotion, but there was nothing there that would make me want to pay to see an EliteXC show if I wanted to bother with watching another one at all.
Posted By: JJChandler (Registered) on June 01, 2008 at 04:51 PM
this show was great...........loved the title match.......cbs and elite xc has found a winner on sat nights.........great stuff
Posted By: $wag Perez (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 05:43 PM
Both stoppages were unfortunate. But my point is something else, what is with all the Gina-love?
She gives an interview about how she hasn't trained properly for the fight, she doesn't make weight for the 3rd match in a row, and they let her be the face of female MMA.
And how come it is acceptable, that she hands over some of her purse and thus gets away from being too heavy? If we look beyod the 'anyone who steps in the cage deserves our respect'-obviousness, why the special respect and attention to Gina?
Posted By: PaulOrndorff (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 05:53 PM
Did anyone else notice that when the Lawler/Smith fight was stopped they were 1:57 into the show? I had my DVR catch this since I was going to be working last night and when the doctor called the stop to the fight without giving the full five minutes for recovery my gut instinct was that they were running late and couldn't afford the five minutes.
Great job EliteXC, your poor clock management (you had your first two fights end in less than 2 minutes each!) caused others in the same situation to miss watching your golden child gas. I guess that's one way to protect Kimbo.
Posted By: Daroki (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Okay guys, Thompson and his mutant ear may have been laying on Kimbo through the second round but his shots werent causing DAMAGE. Slice was worn out, but anyone would be with someone over 20 pounds heavier laying on them for that long. The shots have to be doing damage in order for the ref to have a reason to stop the fight. EliteXC didn't fix anything. If Thompson had won, they'd have a new poster boy for the organization, and they could have used the lack of experience excuse for Kimbo. It was a really good fight, and Thompson almost lost his ear, he lost the fight fair and square.
BS on the Lawler/Smith stoppage, after five minutes of injury timeout, I'm sure Scott Smith would have been able to finish the round for a decision.
Posted By: SdotRoss (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 09:48 PM
First two matches were just there. Carino/Young was solid and I liked that Carino said she respected Young after. Smith got hosed, hands down best fight on the card. Kimbo had a good first round but Thompson had him in the second. Kimbo has improved on the ground but got lucky with the ear.
Posted By: Pete (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 09:58 PM
PaulOrndorff:
The Gina love comes from the fact that she's hot as hell.
Posted By: Andrew (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Well, I seem to be in the minority of people who liked this show. The last MMA I watched before this was UFC's Ultimate Ultimate 95. (But I did watch every event UFC had prior to UU95.) So, this was definitely not what I was expecting. I will agree that ~25 minutes was too long to wait for the first fight.
However, I don't think the Kimbo Slice stoppage was wrong. Thompson was obviously out on his feet. If he was coherent, he wouldn't have gone after the ref like that. Slice would have hit another flurry and Thompson would have been on the mat unconscious. I totally disagree that they were "protecting" Slice. Those elbows in the second round weren't doing much damage either, I don't think.
Having said that, I agree the Title Fight stoppage was BS. He was literally begging for them not to stop the fight. There was absolutely no reason what-so-ever to stop that fight.
Finally, this show makes me want to watch MMA again, so I think it should be called a success.
Posted By: Steve (Guest) on June 01, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Gina Carano is da bomb. Like, wow. I thought she was hot on American Gladiators (Crush), but DAMN, now that I know she majorly whoops ass, I can see why she's undefeated on AG!
This makes AG much more interesting to me now.
Posted By: King Durin (Guest) on June 08, 2008 at 05:58 PM
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