Update: Sides Differ on Status of Shamrock-Gracie
Though papers securing Frank
Shamrock's (Pictures) fight against Renzo Gracie (Pictures) Feb. 10 on Showtime have not been
signed, the dispute between Strikeforce and EliteXC regarding the
middleweight's services are in the "final stages of being worked
out," Strikeforce promoter Scott Coker informed Sherdog.com
Thursday morning.
Stepping beyond what Coker suggested, Gary Shaw, president of the live division of Pro Elite, parent company for EliteX, told Sherdog.com that the issues surrounding the fight have been resolved and Shamrock will headline the card against Gracie.
From the day EliteXC and Showtime announced Shamrock's participation there has been much speculation that the former UFC champion'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."
One week later a temporary restraining order was placed upon Shamrock after Strikeforce showed a Santa Clara Country Superior Court that the middleweight was in breach of his contract.
The order was upheld on Monday. On the advice of the court, West Coast Production, Strikeforce's parent company, agreed to lift the ruling so the parties could attempt to negotiate a settlement.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one source close to Strikeforce with intimate 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 not be able to fight that it attempted to secure a short-notice replacement in case he was forced off the card.
Subsequent offers from Pro Elite and Showtime, which today announced a partnership in conjunction with CBS, have appeared to yield better results, and Coker seems poised to sign off on Shamrock fighting Gracie.
Should West Coast Production and Pro Elite fail to come to a resolution regarding Shamrock's status by Feb. 5, they would have to reappear in front of a judge the following day, likely embroiling both sides in an ugly court battle.
Stepping beyond what Coker suggested, Gary Shaw, president of the live division of Pro Elite, parent company for EliteX, told Sherdog.com that the issues surrounding the fight have been resolved and Shamrock will headline the card against Gracie.
From the day EliteXC and Showtime announced Shamrock's participation there has been much speculation that the former UFC champion'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."
One week later a temporary restraining order was placed upon Shamrock after Strikeforce showed a Santa Clara Country Superior Court that the middleweight was in breach of his contract.
The order was upheld on Monday. On the advice of the court, West Coast Production, Strikeforce's parent company, agreed to lift the ruling so the parties could attempt to negotiate a settlement.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one source close to Strikeforce with intimate 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 not be able to fight that it attempted to secure a short-notice replacement in case he was forced off the card.
Subsequent offers from Pro Elite and Showtime, which today announced a partnership in conjunction with CBS, have appeared to yield better results, and Coker seems poised to sign off on Shamrock fighting Gracie.
Should West Coast Production and Pro Elite fail to come to a resolution regarding Shamrock's status by Feb. 5, they would have to reappear in front of a judge the following day, likely embroiling both sides in an ugly court battle.
