EliteXC’s Top 10 Moments
Oct 23, 2008
News of EliteXC’s demise shook the mixed martial arts world on
Monday, as an entire stable of fighters suddenly found themselves
without a place to work. Any number of reasons behind the
2-year-old promotion’s downfall could be chiseled into its
tombstone:
Foray into mixed martial arts failed for boxing promoters.
Organization walked down the same green mile as the World Fighting
Alliance, the International Fight League and Bodog Fight.
Promotion unraveled after scandal involving street fighter and UFC retread.
10. Smith Knocks Out Noke
Mixed results in the UFC left Smith outside the Octagon after he failed to capitalize on his appearance on season four of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Hoping to restore the promise he brought to the UFC from the Northern California circuit, the heavy-handed middleweight came out tentative in EliteXC’s circular cage when he debuted against Australian Kyle Noke at “Street Certified” in February. The Aussie’s boxing skills were praised by the announce team as the fight entered the second round. Seven seconds into the period, Noke hit the ground, knocked out cold after a right hand from Smith found its mark. The eternally hyperbolic Mauro Ranallo exclaimed the strike was so devastating that it “rearranged his DNA.” “Hands of Steel” carried the momentum into two slugfests with EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler on CBS. Their first bout ended in a no contest after Smith was poked in the eye. Lawler finished him decisively in their rematch two months later.
9. Villasenor Flattens Jensen
When Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos was unable to fight Joey Villasenor at a co-promoted event between Strikeforce and EliteXC in March, Ryan Jensen stepped in on short notice. Jensen was coming off two submission losses to Brazilian jiu-jitsu wizards Thales Leites and Demian Maia in the UFC. He thought his match up with Villasenor was more favorable. However, in the cage, it was a different story, as the Greg Jackson protégé hit Jensen with a right hand that sent him skidding across the mat. Villasenor picked up another stoppage win over Phil Baroni following the devastating knockout and was training for his rematch with Lawler and another chance at EliteXC’s middleweight strap when the promotion ceased operations.
Gary Shaw was unable to
spring "Krazy Horse" from jail.
8. “Krazy Horse” Pinched
EliteXC saw a potential star in Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett. The law had a different view. Slated to settle an earlier draw against Victor Valenzuela, the former Pride veteran was one of the promotion’s main offers on a co-promotion with Strikeforce in June 2007. During a pre-fight press conference, EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw revealed Bennett was absent because “I couldn’t spring him.” The arrest kept Bennett from making the fight. Shaw’s deadpanning was not seen by most fans, but his genuine concern for the fighter was eclipsed by needlepoint frustration that created a priceless look on his face. Not even a Bennett moonsault could break the disappointment and tension in the room, but Shaw and EliteXC stuck to their guns. They even gave Bennett another fight.
7. Rogers, Murphy Make History
Heavyweights Brett Rogers and Jon Murphy may not be the most popular or talented mixed martial artists, but they have their place in the history books, as theirs was the first MMA fight to ever appear on live network television. “Grim” made Murphy pay for being bypassed in the Kimbo Slice lottery, as he put away his opponent with stiff right hooks at EliteXC “Primetime” in May. Rogers may never get the match for which he clamored now that EliteXC has folded. The Team Bison representative carries an undefeated record into the free agent market, where heavyweight prospects are at a premium.
6. Shields Armbars Daley
Jake Shields worked hard to solidify himself as one of the world’s best welterweights, despite fighting outside the UFC. In Paul Daley, he ran into an explosive striker on a solid winning steak who could add some personality and pre-fight drama to the mix. The undersized British banger carried a reputation as the UK’s top welterweight, lending more credibility to a dominating win by Shields at EliteXC “Heat” earlier this month. Shields avoided damage standing and secured a second-round submission. The performance sent the San Franciscan into free agency on a good note.
Lawler's stoppage of "Ninja"
was a moment to remember.
5. Lawler Pounds “Ninja”
A loss to Jason “Mayhem” Miller slowed Robbie Lawler’s momentum, but he rebounded violently against Joey Villasenor, Eduardo Pamplona and, most memorably, Frank Trigg en route to recapturing his ICON Sport middleweight championship. He then stepped up to fight inaugural 185-pound EliteXC champion Murilo “Ninja” Rua in a title-versus-title bout at EliteXC “Uprising” in September 2007. A Pride veteran who had rebuilt his reputation in Cage Rage and stopped Villasenor to win EliteXC gold, Rua had restored much of the luster he lost toward the end of his Pride career. When Lawler overcame a slow start and capitalized on a battered and tired Rua in the third round, he finished the Brazilian with hellacious fists -- standing and on the ground. The effort again made Lawler a feared man at 185 pounds.
4. Noons Captures Lightweight Title
When knees are mentioned in MMA, controversial cut stoppages are not the first thought that comes to mind. Karl James Noons entered EliteXC’s first lightweight title match at “Renegade” in November 2007 as a heavy underdog to Diaz, who had been rejuvenated by a rare gogoplata submission over Pride kingpin Takanori Gomi. Noons stuck to a sprawl-and-brawl game plan, and Diaz’s superior submission game led to his shooting constantly and resulted in his catching a well-timed knee from Noons. Doctors stopped the fight in between rounds on the stool. Celebration and middle fingers sprang forth from the two corners, igniting a heated feud between Diaz and Noons.
3. Carano Steals Spotlight
Female MMA hit center stage the same night EliteXC did. Carano, a 3-0 muay Thai prospect, put on an exciting nine-minute fight against Julie Kedzie at “Destiny” in February 2007. Her good looks and crowd-pleasing style unleashed a flood of new fans when the show was over. A main event marred by Frank Shamrock’s disqualification against Renzo Gracie funneled even more of the attention to Carano. As one half of female MMA’s first high-profile fight in North America, Carano took the momentum and launched a career that, despite issues with making weight, still runs strong today. However, the void left by EliteXC’s demise presents a new test for Carano, who will always be considered a pioneer in the sport.
Can you hear me
now?
2. Slice Pops Thompson’s Ear
James Thompson’s grotesque cauliflower ear provided the horror and allure for his fight with Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson at EliteXC “Primetime” in May. EliteXC’s debut on CBS brought with it the hope for an absence of extreme bloodshed. However, by pushing the street brawler turned mixed martial artist into the cage with Thompson, EliteXC seemed destined for no other result. After a strong start, Slice faded in the second round before rupturing his British adversary’s ear with a punch early in the third. The victory -- albeit controversial -- gassed up the Kimbo Slice bandwagon. It remains the most-viewed MMA match in history.
1. Petruzelli Debunks Myth
Seth Petruzelli clipped Slice with a right hand and finished the Web sensation in 14 seconds in an impromptu main event at EliteXC “Heat” on Oct. 4. Though the fight drew millions of viewers to primetime television, Slice’s image was shattered at the hands of a man scheduled to fight on the undercard in a different weight class. The loss -- and fallout from Petruzelli’s post-fight interview in which he claimed he was paid to stand with Slice -- will be viewed as the final nail in EliteXC’s coffin. As Frank Shamrock asserted in a recent interview with Sherdog.com, what Slice does in MMA from this point forward will determine whether or not he was the star EliteXC claimed and will reflect heavily on the organization’s legacy.
Foray into mixed martial arts failed for boxing promoters.
Advertisement
Promotion unraveled after scandal involving street fighter and UFC retread.
While EliteXC offered just as much controversy as excitement, it
enjoyed many bright spots during its 20-month run.
10. Smith Knocks Out Noke
Mixed results in the UFC left Smith outside the Octagon after he failed to capitalize on his appearance on season four of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Hoping to restore the promise he brought to the UFC from the Northern California circuit, the heavy-handed middleweight came out tentative in EliteXC’s circular cage when he debuted against Australian Kyle Noke at “Street Certified” in February. The Aussie’s boxing skills were praised by the announce team as the fight entered the second round. Seven seconds into the period, Noke hit the ground, knocked out cold after a right hand from Smith found its mark. The eternally hyperbolic Mauro Ranallo exclaimed the strike was so devastating that it “rearranged his DNA.” “Hands of Steel” carried the momentum into two slugfests with EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler on CBS. Their first bout ended in a no contest after Smith was poked in the eye. Lawler finished him decisively in their rematch two months later.
9. Villasenor Flattens Jensen
When Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos was unable to fight Joey Villasenor at a co-promoted event between Strikeforce and EliteXC in March, Ryan Jensen stepped in on short notice. Jensen was coming off two submission losses to Brazilian jiu-jitsu wizards Thales Leites and Demian Maia in the UFC. He thought his match up with Villasenor was more favorable. However, in the cage, it was a different story, as the Greg Jackson protégé hit Jensen with a right hand that sent him skidding across the mat. Villasenor picked up another stoppage win over Phil Baroni following the devastating knockout and was training for his rematch with Lawler and another chance at EliteXC’s middleweight strap when the promotion ceased operations.
Dave
Mandel/Sherdog.com
spring "Krazy Horse" from jail.
EliteXC saw a potential star in Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett. The law had a different view. Slated to settle an earlier draw against Victor Valenzuela, the former Pride veteran was one of the promotion’s main offers on a co-promotion with Strikeforce in June 2007. During a pre-fight press conference, EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw revealed Bennett was absent because “I couldn’t spring him.” The arrest kept Bennett from making the fight. Shaw’s deadpanning was not seen by most fans, but his genuine concern for the fighter was eclipsed by needlepoint frustration that created a priceless look on his face. Not even a Bennett moonsault could break the disappointment and tension in the room, but Shaw and EliteXC stuck to their guns. They even gave Bennett another fight.
7. Rogers, Murphy Make History
Heavyweights Brett Rogers and Jon Murphy may not be the most popular or talented mixed martial artists, but they have their place in the history books, as theirs was the first MMA fight to ever appear on live network television. “Grim” made Murphy pay for being bypassed in the Kimbo Slice lottery, as he put away his opponent with stiff right hooks at EliteXC “Primetime” in May. Rogers may never get the match for which he clamored now that EliteXC has folded. The Team Bison representative carries an undefeated record into the free agent market, where heavyweight prospects are at a premium.
6. Shields Armbars Daley
Jake Shields worked hard to solidify himself as one of the world’s best welterweights, despite fighting outside the UFC. In Paul Daley, he ran into an explosive striker on a solid winning steak who could add some personality and pre-fight drama to the mix. The undersized British banger carried a reputation as the UK’s top welterweight, lending more credibility to a dominating win by Shields at EliteXC “Heat” earlier this month. Shields avoided damage standing and secured a second-round submission. The performance sent the San Franciscan into free agency on a good note.
Dave
Mandel/Sherdog.com
was a moment to remember.
A loss to Jason “Mayhem” Miller slowed Robbie Lawler’s momentum, but he rebounded violently against Joey Villasenor, Eduardo Pamplona and, most memorably, Frank Trigg en route to recapturing his ICON Sport middleweight championship. He then stepped up to fight inaugural 185-pound EliteXC champion Murilo “Ninja” Rua in a title-versus-title bout at EliteXC “Uprising” in September 2007. A Pride veteran who had rebuilt his reputation in Cage Rage and stopped Villasenor to win EliteXC gold, Rua had restored much of the luster he lost toward the end of his Pride career. When Lawler overcame a slow start and capitalized on a battered and tired Rua in the third round, he finished the Brazilian with hellacious fists -- standing and on the ground. The effort again made Lawler a feared man at 185 pounds.
4. Noons Captures Lightweight Title
When knees are mentioned in MMA, controversial cut stoppages are not the first thought that comes to mind. Karl James Noons entered EliteXC’s first lightweight title match at “Renegade” in November 2007 as a heavy underdog to Diaz, who had been rejuvenated by a rare gogoplata submission over Pride kingpin Takanori Gomi. Noons stuck to a sprawl-and-brawl game plan, and Diaz’s superior submission game led to his shooting constantly and resulted in his catching a well-timed knee from Noons. Doctors stopped the fight in between rounds on the stool. Celebration and middle fingers sprang forth from the two corners, igniting a heated feud between Diaz and Noons.
3. Carano Steals Spotlight
Female MMA hit center stage the same night EliteXC did. Carano, a 3-0 muay Thai prospect, put on an exciting nine-minute fight against Julie Kedzie at “Destiny” in February 2007. Her good looks and crowd-pleasing style unleashed a flood of new fans when the show was over. A main event marred by Frank Shamrock’s disqualification against Renzo Gracie funneled even more of the attention to Carano. As one half of female MMA’s first high-profile fight in North America, Carano took the momentum and launched a career that, despite issues with making weight, still runs strong today. However, the void left by EliteXC’s demise presents a new test for Carano, who will always be considered a pioneer in the sport.
Dave
Mandel/Sherdog.com
James Thompson’s grotesque cauliflower ear provided the horror and allure for his fight with Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson at EliteXC “Primetime” in May. EliteXC’s debut on CBS brought with it the hope for an absence of extreme bloodshed. However, by pushing the street brawler turned mixed martial artist into the cage with Thompson, EliteXC seemed destined for no other result. After a strong start, Slice faded in the second round before rupturing his British adversary’s ear with a punch early in the third. The victory -- albeit controversial -- gassed up the Kimbo Slice bandwagon. It remains the most-viewed MMA match in history.
1. Petruzelli Debunks Myth
Seth Petruzelli clipped Slice with a right hand and finished the Web sensation in 14 seconds in an impromptu main event at EliteXC “Heat” on Oct. 4. Though the fight drew millions of viewers to primetime television, Slice’s image was shattered at the hands of a man scheduled to fight on the undercard in a different weight class. The loss -- and fallout from Petruzelli’s post-fight interview in which he claimed he was paid to stand with Slice -- will be viewed as the final nail in EliteXC’s coffin. As Frank Shamrock asserted in a recent interview with Sherdog.com, what Slice does in MMA from this point forward will determine whether or not he was the star EliteXC claimed and will reflect heavily on the organization’s legacy.
