EliteXC on CBS  



Saturday night we are going to witness history. Saturday night is what I feel will be a make or break moment for MMA Saturday night CBS will be broadcasting live on network television for the very first time in the U.S. a mixed martial arts fight card. Is the mainstream ready?  



The Ultimate Fighting Championship debuted in November 1993 and has been fighting an uphill battle ever since. Initially billed as “no holds barred” fighting with only a few rules, many in the general public viewed The UFC as “human cock fighting” and not really as a sport. Fortunately for fans the UFC was purchased by Zuffa, LLC and run by  then boxing promoter Dana White. Through White’s vision and leadership, the UFC is no longer viewed as a spectacle, but now as the fastest growing sport in the world. Sport is the key word. Fighters are no longer looked at as bar room brawlers and real world bullies. Rather a MMA fighter is recognized as an athlete that combines physical abilities with technique and skills acquired through mixed martial arts training. Arguably some of the most disciplined athletes in all off sports.  



Though many strides have been made, MMA still faces adversity. Some still think the sport is too brutal despite all the rules that have been put in place to protect a fighter’s health. Some see MMA as a trend, something that will pass like grunge music and the wedge haircut. Conversely some have the foresight to see what this sports potential is. Some that see they are sitting on an entertainment goldmine.  



EliteXC got lucky. Talk about being at the right place at the right time. They just so happen to be the promotion with the right ties. Everyone thought the UFC would have been the first to break into the mainstream. And just like MMA, so much for what “they” know. Now can EliteXC take advantage of their position? Can a promotion with far fewer top level fighters handle the lime light? Will the average Joe be watching ? All eyes will be focused on the rating charts the day after the show. I bet even Dana will be looking for the numbers. Monkey see monkey do in the TV business. If EliteXC and CBS get the ratings, look for the UFC and NBC to have a deal done by the end of next month. The Ultimate Fighter reality show will be moved to primetime. Good times for fighters and promoters will follow.  



Now what if EliteXC and CBS can’t deliver?  



Let’s just hope they can.  



And I think they can. This card has the potential to cater to all who watch. EliteXC has put together a fight card that features something for all:    



Those looking for the spectacle of a street fighter turned legit athlete will get to see Kimbo Slice take on a brute of a man named James Thompson. This is going to be fireworks. No MMA here. Just straight up slugfest with one man standing at the end.  



Those looking for something to look at will get Gina Carano. Wow. Beauty, brains and brawn. Already making strides outside of MMA with her stint on American Gladiators, Gina looks to prove she is the real deal on Primetime! Gina will be facing Kaitlin Young, who isn’t too hard on the eyes either. Together they will both be looking to make women’s MMA appealing to both men and women. Third from the top billing…not too bad for a primetime debut!  



Those looking for a “real” MMA fight will get to see Robbie “Ruthless” Lawler take on Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith. Both men bring true MMA pedigree with them into the cage Saturday night. Lawler has wins over Murilo “Ninja” Rua and Frank “Twinkle Toes” Trigg and has fought in the UFC and now dismembered Pride FC. Scott has also fought in the UFC and Pride FC with wins over Pete Sell and Troy Miller and notable losses to Ed Herman Patrick Cote and James Irvin. Scott even held the WEC light heavyweight title for a bit.  



Those looking for professional wrestling entertainment will get to watch Phil Baroni take on Joey Villasenor. The self proclaimed “New York City Badass” Phil Baroni always puts on an entertaining show with his trash talk and fight entrance. Joey Senor looks like a character from a Spanish channel luche libre show with his bangs only haircut and tattooed and quite soft physique. But don’t let his shape fool you. This has the looks to be a stand up brawl between a couple of very entertaining fighters.  



Overall I like the card. I feel it will be a very entertaining night. I just hope people turn on the TV. I don’t think CBS has put enough money into promoting what some feel is a historic moment in TV and sports history. I hope CBS doesn’t make MMA look like a spectacle. I hope the other promotions and networks are paying attention. I hope the dancing girls and Busta Ryhmes doesn’t make MMA look like WWE. I hope this doesn’t set the sport back. I hope promoting Kimbo Slice wasn’t a mistake. I hope Kimbo proves all the detractors wrong. There’s a ton of weight on the shoulders of an unproven superstar. I just hope that star shines.  



My picks for EliteXC Primetime:  



John Murphy vs. Brett Rogers – Both men are relatively unknown outside of the hardcore MMA fans. Rogers has a clearer head coming in the fight and an undefeated record. Murphy has a better gas tank and shows more athleticism. Rogers needs to strike early and often. Rogers gets the first round TKO.  



Phil Baroni vs. Joey Villasenor – Both fighters are heavy-handed and this should be a quick and exciting one. I see both men swinging for the fences with Joey Villasenor getting the better of the exchanges. This guy looks like he’s the real deal. Villasenor wins by first round KO.  



Gina Carano vs. Kaitlin Young – Gina Carano is the only fighter on the card being lobbed a softball this fight card. Gina will quickly over power her overmatched opponent. I see this being stopped in the first round due to strikes from ground and pound. Gina wins easy.  



Robbie Lawler vs. Scott Smith – This should be a very good and entertaining fight. Both fighters like to throw hands which should equate to a feeling out period in the first frame. Scott will bring pressure to Lawler in the second round, but will eventually be put on his back. I think Smith will survive the second round, but barely. Lawler will pick up where he left off in the second and will finish Scott off mid third round by TKO.  



Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson – This one has me thinking. Kimbo is the big time favorite in this fight, nearly 6 to 1. I think Thompson has a better chance than that. He is on a losing streak, but has fought some pretty big names in his career. Both men like to press the action and both will be looking for the knockout. I see Thompson putting Kimbo on his back quickly. He will lay on him for the remainder of the round. Kimbo will come out in the second round looking for Thompson’s take down and will catch him with a big right hand. Kimbo wins via KO early in the second round.



SPACEMAN OUT!!! hostilefight.com