Shamrock-Gracie is Good to Go, Says Promoter
Josh Gross Feb 6, 2007
Frank Shamrock
(Pictures) knew he was in for a fight
this week — he just wasn't sure if it would take place inside a
court or cage.
Strikeforce promoter Scott Coker informed Sherdog.com late Monday evening that an agreement with Pro Elite and Showtime was in place that will keep the parties out of a courtroom showdown Tuesday, and guarantees Shamrock's bout against Renzo Gracie (Pictures) on Feb. 10.
Holding a contract that mandated the former UFC champion's next
bout would by promoted by Strikeforce, Coker won a temporary
restraining order on Jan. 24 that barred Shamrock from fighting on
the Showtime-televised card. After the order was upheld on Jan. 29,
Coker agreed to lift it in hopes of reaching a settlement with Pro
Elite, which will promote its first mixed martial arts card under
the EliteXC banner this Saturday.
From the moment EliteXC and Showtime announced Shamrock's participation there was speculation that the middleweight's ties to Strikeforce, for which he signed to fight Phil Baroni (Pictures) in April, would jeopardize the bout versus Gracie.
Shamrock expanded on that during a Jan. 17 teleconference intended to promote the bout.
"It has been straightened out," he said. "Strikeforce and I have a really good business relationship and we have been able to see past the points. We are all in a very healthy relationship together. So I am very much looking forward to not only fighting on Feb. 10 and opening up Showtime, but also fulfilling my obligation to Strikeforce."
Apparently Strikeforce did not share Shamrock's outlook when it moved to seek a temporary restraining order on the fight. Shortly thereafter a Santa Clara Country Superior Court ruled that the middleweight was in breach of his contract, thus putting Showtime’s first MMA main event in serious jeopardy.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one source close to Strikeforce with knowledge of the negotiations suggested that the San Jose, Calif.-based company felt Showtime and Pro Elite's first offer was "laughable."
EliteXC was so concerned that Shamrock would be forced to withdraw that it attempted to secure a short-notice replacement. All the while, EliteXC front man Gary Shaw as well as Showtime maintained the fight would take place. In the end they were right.
Coker cited non-disclosure clauses in the agreement for the reason he could not divulge Strikeforce's take as part of the settlement. It's expected that Showtime will release a statement regarding the compromise on Tuesday.
Strikeforce promoter Scott Coker informed Sherdog.com late Monday evening that an agreement with Pro Elite and Showtime was in place that will keep the parties out of a courtroom showdown Tuesday, and guarantees Shamrock's bout against Renzo Gracie (Pictures) on Feb. 10.
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From the moment EliteXC and Showtime announced Shamrock's participation there was speculation that the middleweight's ties to Strikeforce, for which he signed to fight Phil Baroni (Pictures) in April, would jeopardize the bout versus Gracie.
When asked by Sherdog.com during EliteXC's press conference on Dec.
14 if facing Gracie violated the terms of his deal with
Strikeforce, Shamrock quickly said, “I have a business relationship
that allows [this fight with Gracie] to happen."
Shamrock expanded on that during a Jan. 17 teleconference intended to promote the bout.
"It has been straightened out," he said. "Strikeforce and I have a really good business relationship and we have been able to see past the points. We are all in a very healthy relationship together. So I am very much looking forward to not only fighting on Feb. 10 and opening up Showtime, but also fulfilling my obligation to Strikeforce."
Apparently Strikeforce did not share Shamrock's outlook when it moved to seek a temporary restraining order on the fight. Shortly thereafter a Santa Clara Country Superior Court ruled that the middleweight was in breach of his contract, thus putting Showtime’s first MMA main event in serious jeopardy.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one source close to Strikeforce with knowledge of the negotiations suggested that the San Jose, Calif.-based company felt Showtime and Pro Elite's first offer was "laughable."
EliteXC was so concerned that Shamrock would be forced to withdraw that it attempted to secure a short-notice replacement. All the while, EliteXC front man Gary Shaw as well as Showtime maintained the fight would take place. In the end they were right.
Coker cited non-disclosure clauses in the agreement for the reason he could not divulge Strikeforce's take as part of the settlement. It's expected that Showtime will release a statement regarding the compromise on Tuesday.
