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[Bullock]

Elite XC To Return Early Without Kimbo*Slice? - Bloody Elbow

Buried in Dave Meltzer's column today on officiating controversy is a very important bit of news:

Shaw said the date of the next CBS card is expected to be finalized this week in a joint decision with CBS. Due to the success of the first show, CBS wants to have a return date in late July to capitalize on the momentum. Shaw feels Lawler and Smith wouldn’t be ready for a July date, nor would Slice.

Of course, "joint decision" means CBS decides while Shaw tries to persuade them otherwise. I don't have the deal in front of me, but I have no doubt this will be CBS's call. Running again is a gigantic risk: If the show flops, it will be derided as the new XFL. If it is a success, they will have a second batch of stars, and they will be able to confidently run shows without Kimbo on top in the future.

If the show is in July, you can add that to a packed MMA month with Jackson/Griffin on July 5th and Affliction on July 19th.

In figuring out the card, it's probably safe to say that Gina Carano also will be unavailable for a late July card, given 6-7 weeks notice. This means the three attractions that lead to the biggest ratings increases on the first show will not be available for this one.

Drew Fickett v. Jake Shields would probably headline this card for the Welterweight Championship. Filling out the rest of the card isn't as easy. They need a name fight to draw casual fans, and as gross as it sounds, something along the lines of Shamrock/Abbott would not shock me as a special attraction. Antonio Silva could fight on this card as well. I think a good strategy would be to try to use this card to build up winners to fight Carano and Slice in October, and I think they can definitely do that given their roster capabilities. It just seems utterly stupid to have KJ Noons and Nick Diaz fighting for a Showtime special when this show may be on just a month later.

What kind of speaking fees does Tito Ortiz charge anyway?

I'm glad Kimbo might not be on the card. That means we'll probably have a real main event.

[sandywh]

Lawler & Smith could likely be ready to go, but not at 100%.

Other than that the only two bigger names they could throw out would be Shields and Silva. However, EXC has some exciting undercard fighters that can be put out there.

I doubt that this card happens before mid August, unless they can add at least one more named fighter to put on the card.

[smoogy]

Hector Lombard vs. Villasenor like I said in my other thread

Its not like Joe took any damage

[homegrowncone]

Probably wouldn't be the smartest idea but it could turn out ok. Let's not forget they are now co-promoting with cage rage, dream and possibly still Strikeforce.

Shields Vs Fickett
Antonio Silva Vs Ian Freeman
Cung Lee Vs Dennis Kang
Jeremy Williams Vs Buzz Berry
Ken Shamrock Vs Tank Abbot

[TheBonger]

Originally Posted by homegrowncone

Probably wouldn't be the smartest idea but it could turn out ok. Let's not forget they are now co-promoting with cage rage, dream and possibly still Strikeforce.

Shields Vs Fickett
Antonio Silva Vs Ian Freeman
Cung Lee Vs Dennis Kang
Jeremy Williams Vs Buzz Berry
Ken Shamrock Vs Tank Abbot

I would think that Strikeforce's deal with NBC would cause a real conflict of interest if they had anything to do promoting,co-promoting or even lending fighters to EXC for the CBS show.

[homegrowncone]

Originally Posted by TheBonger

I would think that Strikeforce's deal with NBC would cause a real conflict of interest if they had anything to do promoting,co-promoting or even lending fighters to EXC for the CBS show.

Come on now, I think Frank Shamrock being a fixture on the first broadcast (while still under contract mind you) should be indication enough the folks at Strikeforce don't intend to be dicks about it.

[Mirko45]

It will be a real test to the name value of EXC. If they can post a ratings as good as the last show without Kimbo I'll be sold on their staying power

[Eagle.007]

Originally Posted by TheBonger

I would think that Strikeforce's deal with NBC would cause a real conflict of interest if they had anything to do promoting,co-promoting or even lending fighters to EXC for the CBS show.

Good point, but it is not like NBC will be holding live Strikeforce events any time soon.

[TheBonger]

Originally Posted by homegrowncone

Come on now, I think Frank Shamrock being a fixture on the first broadcast (while still under contract mind you) should be indication enough the folks at Strikeforce don't intend to be dicks about it.

well commentating and fighting on the card are two very different things, and I dont think it would be strikeforce making the calls I would imagine its somewhere in there contract with NBC. I dont know this for a fact but it is a reasonable assumption.

[emceelokey]

They'll probably throw a bunch of money to overpay Tito to fight a can. What do they care. They're trying to make Kimbo the face of their orginazation!

They figured out how to use names already. Seriously. who the fuck was Kimbo until he fought Tank Abbot. and why the hell was Tank Abbot even fighting? Because he was a "name" and they knew how to use names to get people ot talk.