NEWS INCLUDES ALL ORGANIZATIONS UNDER PRO ELITE:

SHO XC, CAGE RAGE, ICON, ROTR, SPIRIT MC, ETC.

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Villasenor replaces "Ninja" at May 31 EliteXC-CBS

by Dann Stupp on Apr 17, 2008 at 11:11 am ET

Soon after EliteXC announced the final televised card for its debut "Saturday Night Fights" event on CBS, the organization confirmed a change: Joey Villasenor (25-6) will replace Murilo "Ninja" Rua and will fight Phil Baroni (10-9) at the event.

ProElite.com announced the news late Wednedsay.

The middleweight fight will be one of five that are televised as part of the May 31 event, which takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The event, which airs from 9-11 p.m. ET, will be the first-ever live MMA show to air on major U.S. network television.

No reason was given for Rua's departure.

Villasenor, who lost to Rua in a June fight for the first-ever EliteXC middleweight title, has since defeated Riki Fukuda (split decision) and Ryan Jensen (first-round knockout). This will be his fifth fight for EliteXC.

He'll now take on Baroni, who recently came up short in an ICON Sport title fight with Kala Hose. Baroni, a former UFC and PRIDE fighter, has now dropped three of his past four fights.

The full card now includes:

• Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson vs. James Thompson
• Champ Robbie Lawler vs. Scott Smith (for EliteXC middleweight title)
• Gina Carano vs. Kaitlin Young
• Jon Murphy vs. Brett Rogers
• Phil Baroni vs. Joey Villasenor

Nick Diaz vs. Muhsin Corbbrey booked for June 14 EliteXC

by Dann Stupp on Apr 17, 2008 at 10:49 am ET

EliteXC lightweight Nick Diaz (15-7) will next fight June 14 at the organization's event in Hawaii, and he'll take on Muhsin Corbbrey (7-2), a veteran of EliteXC's "ShoXC" event series.

ProElite.com announced the bout late Wednesday.

The Diaz vs. Corbbrey fight was originally slated for an April event in Hawaii, but EliteXC officials decided to postpone the event until June.

With the plugged pulled on the April event, Diaz was then scheduled to face Jae Suk Kim at a Strikeforce/EliteXC event that took place March 29 in San Jose, Calif. However, the California State Athletic Commission refused to let Diaz fight, saying the he didn't submit his medical documents in time.

However, EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw used a pre-event press conference to condemn the commission, saying the CSAC refused to let Diaz fight because he admitted to having a medical marijuana card that allowed him to use the drug for attention-deficit disorder.

Diaz will return from a seven-month layoff to compete at the June 14 event. Diaz and K.J. Noons fought for the organization's vacant lightweight title in November, but the bout was stopped after the first round because of multiple cuts on Diaz's face. He had surgery to repair significant scar tissue soon after that TKO loss.

Diaz is now 4-1 (with one no-contest) in his past six fights.

He'll now take on Corbbrey, who owns ShoXC victories over Lee Gibson and Bobby McMaster.

The well-rounded fighter is also a pro boxer and Muay Thai fighter. He'll go for his fourth straight victory when he meets Diaz.

Report: "Kimbo" vs. Thompson set for EliteXC-CBS main event

by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Apr 08, 2008 at 8:01 pm

As expected, Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson (2-0) will meet James Thompson (14-8) in the main event of the very first EliteXC event on CBS.

Our friend Mike Chiappetta of NBCSports.com today confirmed the May 31 bout, citing a source close to one of the fighters.

EliteXC is expected to officially announce the heavyweight clash, which will cap off the first-ever MMA event on major U.S. network television, later this week.

The event takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. and airs in a primetime slot on Saturday night.

The possibility of the Ferguson-Thompson fight was first reported by fiveouncesofpain.com, which also reported that Ron Waterman was the organization's first choice for Ferguson's opponent but that a deal couldn't be reached.

Ferguson, who rose to fame as underground fighter marketed on YouTube and other video-sharing sites, has since teamed up with Bas Rutten to train MMA. After an exhibition victory over Ray Mercer, Ferguson posted a 19-second TKO of Bo Cantrell and a 43-second KO of David "Tank" Abbott. Both fights took place with EliteXC, with whom Ferguson has signed a long-term contract.

Thompson, a British fighter who's lost six of his past eight fights, previously fought for Cage Rage and PRIDE. He most recently suffered a first-round knockout to Brett Rogers at EliteXC's February show in Miami, Fla.

The May 31 EliteXC event is the first of four that will air on CBS over the next year.

Also slated to take place at the debut event is a EliteXC middleweight championship bout between title-holder Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith. Additionally, Phil Baroni meets Murilo "Ninja" Rua, and Tom Murphy takes on Brett Rogers. In women's action, Gina Carano is expected to meet Kaitlin Young.

Strikeforce/EliteXC Official Salaries: Le and Shamrock share $500,000

by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Apr 01, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Main event winner and new Strikeforce world middleweight champion Cung Le ($200,000) and former title-holder Frank Shamrock ($300,000) split 75 percent of the total fight purse from Saturday's Strikeforce/EliteXC main event.

MMAjunkie.com today obtained the total fighter payroll from the California State Athletic Commission.

Saturday's event, which took place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., drew 15,192 attendees (14,710 paid) for a total live gate of $1,117,855.

The total disclosed payroll for the show was $667,850.

The full amounts included:

• Cung Le ($200,000) def. Frank Shamrock ($300,000)
• Drew Fickett ($10,000) def. Jae S. Lim ($3,000)
• Gilbert Melendez ($50,000) def. Gabe Lemley ($7,000)
• Wayne Cole ($10,000) def. Mike Kyle ($10,000)
• Joey Villasenor ($36,000) def. Ryan Jensen ($6,000)
• Billy Evangelista ($10,000) def Marlon Sims ($2,500)
• Tiki Ghosn ($8,000) def. Luke Stewart ($6,000)
• Darren Uyenoyama ($4,000) def. Anthony Figueroa ($2,000)
• Jesse Jones ($2,150) def. Jesse Gillespie ($1,200)

"Win" bonuses went to Fickett ($5,000), Cole ($5,000), Villasenor ($18,000), Evangelista ($5,000) Ghosn ($2,000), Uyenoyama ($2,000) and Jones ($500).

Now, the usual disclaimer: the figures do not include deductions for items such as insurance, licenses and taxes. Additionally, the figures do not include money paid by sponsors, which can oftentimes be a substantial portion of a fighter's income. In other words, these are simply base salaries reported to the commission and do not represent the total amounts earned by each fighter.

Le Stops Shamrock in Epic Battle

by Dann Stupp on Mar 29, 2008 at 10:55 pm

In an early candidate for fight of the year, San Shou kickboxer and still undefeated Cung Le (6-0) became Strikeforce's new world middleweight champion by stopping -- and breaking the arm of -- former title-holder Frank Shamrock (24-9-1).

The fight, the biggest in the history of the suddenly surging Strikeforce organization, capped off Saturday's co-promoted event with EliteXC. A San Jose, Calif. crowd packed the HP Pavilion. The main card aired live on Showtime.

In the weeks leading up to the fight, Shamrock shared a bold game plan: he'd stand and trade with the famed stand-up fighter. Surprisingly, Shamrock, did just that -- and it eventually led to disaster.

"I guess he did keep his word," Le said.

After failing on an early takedown attempt, Shamrock never really again tried and was sporadically successful leg kicks and a series of rights. However, Le picked him apart with counter-punches, strikes to the midsection, and dangerous head kicks. Those kicks would take a toll, eventually breaking Shamrock's right arm. A final head kick sent Shamrock stumbling back to his corner after the third round.

He'd never return.

"I knew I caught him good in the hand," Le said of Shamrock's early attempts to fend off head kicks. "He kept blocking, so I kept aiming at that part of the wrist."

As the third round came to a close, Shamrock's arm injuries were obvious. In a fight that first played out like a chess match, with each fighter complimenting his opponent's successes, the smiles and handshakes were gone by the third round. Instead, Shamrock cracked Le with strikes that had the fighter staggering and in survival mode. But, just before the round came to a close, Le threw a final head kick. Shamrock blocked it -- but broke his arm in the process.

The injury forced a stoppage before the fourth round would get underway, and Le was thankful the punishment ended.

"Every time he dipped, I thought he was going to shoot in, so I couldn't move my head," Le said after the fight, with blood tricking from his mouth. "He caught me with some hard punches and rocked me a few times."

With the victory -- Le's first over a known, established top-tier opponent -- the 34-year-old fighter has solidified his superstar status. His fame will only grow next month when he's prominently featured in the debut of "Strikeforce on NBC," the first weekly MMA series to air on major U.S. network television.

Le, one of perhaps the organization's most marketed stars, is the focus of the April 12 premiere.

"This is a dream come true," Le said. "Coming (to the U.S.) from Vietnam under gunfire and now world champion, I love it."

The full results from Saturday included:

• Cung Le vs. Frank Shamrock via TKO (injury) -- Round 3, 5:00 (for Strikeforce world middleweight title)
• Drew Fickett def. Jae Suk Lim via submission (guillotine choke) -- Round 1, 1:14
• Gilbert Melendez def. Gabe Lemley via TKO (strikes) -- Round 2, 2:18 (for Strikeforce world lightweight title)
• Wayne Cole def. Mike Kyle via submission (armbar) -- Round 1, 0:42
• Joey Villasenor def. Ryan Jensen via KO (punch) -- Round 1, 4:45
• Tiki Ghosn def. Luke Stewart via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
• Darren Uyenoyama def. Anthony Figueroa via submission (guillotine choke) -- Round 1, 1:27
• Jesse Jones def. Jesse Gillespie via TKO -- Round 1, 0:35

Gina Carano vs. Kaitlin Young at May 31 EliteXC-CBS

by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Mar 27, 2008 at 8:57 am

Popular female fighter and recent "American Gladiator" Gina Carano (5-0) will return to fighting for a bout with rising star Kaitlin Young (4-1).

The fight, first reported by fiveouncesofpain.com, will air on the May 31 EliteXC Saturday Night Fights show. The event, airing live on CBS, takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

It'll be the first event -- and first-ever female fight -- featured on major U.S. network television.

As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) previously mentioned, EliteXC matchmaker Jeremy Lappen hinted at Carano's likely involvement in the event while a guest on HDNet's most recent "Inside MMA" episode.

Carano, an Xtreme Couture product, hasn't competed since a September submission victory over Tonya Evinger. Soon after the fight, her duties as a gladiator with the reincarnation of "American Gladiators" kept her tied up -- and even forced her off Saturday's Strikeforce/EliteXC card.

Young, a Muay Thai fighter, made her professional debut with a TKO of Lindsey Frandrop at an October 2007 event in Minnesota. She then roared through a November HOOKnSHOOT-Bodog Fight event with three consecutive knockouts in less than a minute each.

Young, who trains with the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy, suffered her first career loss in February, when undefeated Sara Schneider earned a second-round submission via armbar.

The latest EliteXC Saturday Night Fights card now includes:

• Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson vs. TBA
• Champion Robbie Lawler vs. Scott Smith (for EliteXC middleweight title)
• Phil Baroni vs. Murilo "Ninja" Rua
• Gina Carano vs. Kaitlin Young
• Brett Rogers vs. John Murphy

Report: Diaz out, Fickett in for Strikeforce/EliteXC

by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Mar 26, 2008 at 9:05 pm

Nick Diaz (15-7) has been scratched from Saturday's Strikeforce/EliteXC show and will be replaced by Drew Fickett (32-5), who will now fight Jae Suk Lim (9-3), according to a report from MMAWeekly.com.

A reason for Diaz's departure was not reported.

Fickett, who had been scheduled to fight Jake Shields for the EliteXC welterweight title before Shields suffered a back injury, will return to the televised card.

Saturday's event takes place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. The five-bout main card airs on Showtime.

The event has been plagued with fighter losses due to injury, surgery and visa problems. A flurry of fight-card changes began soon after the card was originally announced.

Additionally, three bouts -- Mike Kyle (9-6-1) vs. Wayne Cole (10-6), Jesse Jones (1-0) vs. Jesse Gillespie (1-0), and Darren Uyenoyama (3-1) vs. Anthony Figueroa (4-1) -- were confirmed for the card just today.

The card now includes:

MAIN CARD (Televised)

• Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le
• Drew Fickett vs Jae Suk Lim
• Gilbert Melendez vs. Gabe Lemley
• Mike Kyle vs Wayne Cole
• Joey Villasenor vs. Ryan Jensen

PRELIMINARY CARD (Un-televised)

• Tiki Ghosn vs. Luke Stewart
• Jesse Jones vs. Jesse Gillespie
• Darren Uyenoyama vs. Anthony Figueroa

Shields vs. Fickett Title Fight Canceled

by Dann Stupp on Mar 25, 2008 at 1:19 pm

Jake Shields will have to wait a little longer to fight for the EliteXC welterweight title.

ProElite.com is reporting that a bout between Shields and fellow title hopeful Drew Fickett, who were scheduled to meet at Saturday's Strikeforce/EliteXC co-promotion, has been scratched due to a back injury suffered by Shields.

The fight has been "canceled," and there's no word if a replacement will be sought to fight Fickett.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has left messages with both fighters' camps for comment.

The bout was one of three title fights originally planned for Saturday's event, which takes place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Strikeforce world middleweight champ Frank Shamrock meets Cung Le in the night's main event, and Strikeforce world lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez meets Gabe Lemley in a televised event.

The event airs on Showtime.

EliteXC, which launched in December 2006, has only two champions to date: middleweight title-holder Robbie Lawler (who won the title from Murilo "Ninja" Rua) and lightweight champ KJ Noons. Shields vs. Fickett had been regarded as one of the organization's highest-profile title fights.

Shields (20-4-1), who signed a long-term deal with EliteXC back in November, made no mention of any back problems in Monday's MMAjunkie.com interview.

In fact, he was counting on his 10th straight victory.

"I'm just going to fight," he said. "If we stand, I can beat him. If it goes to the ground, I can pass his guard and pound him out or submit him."

Fickett (32-5), a former UFC fighter who's 31-1 outside the organization, was set to make his EliteXC debut.

EliteXC Offers Fedor Emelianenko Four-Fight, Seven-Figure Deal

by Dann Stupp on Mar 25, 2008 at 9:35 am

ProElite, Inc., the parent company of Elite Xtreme Combat, has offered former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko a four-fight contract that could put the famed Russian on the first two EliteXC-CBS shows.

The news was first reported by Chad Edward of Nokaut.com, though MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned some additional details about the deal.

Emelianenko's management and EliteXC officials could not be reached for comment.

According to a source close to the negotiations, the deal would call for a base pay somewhere between $300,000 and $500,000 per fight. Additionally, after the two fights (which would air on CBS or Showtime), Emelianenko's next two fights would air on pay-per-view. As part of the deal, he would receive a portion of the PPV revenue, and the "per-buy bonus" would scale as the total number of buys increases.

The length of the contract would run 18 months.

As Nokaut.com reported, EliteXC officials would also have to introduce the fighter as "M-1 Global's Fedor Emelianenko." Sherdog.com recently reported that Emelianenko never actually signed with the recently restructured M-1 Global organization and that the return of a $1.5 million signing bonus would essentially make him a free agent. M-1 Global executives deny the report.

MMAjunkie.com has also learned that the EliteXC offer would call for Fedor's brother, Aleksander Emelianenko, to compete on the same fight cards if terms for a fight contract can be reached. Other Russian Red Devil Fight Team members could also earn consideration for future events.

The first EliteXC-CBS show is scheduled to take place May 31 in Newark, N.J., and Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson is tentatively scheduled as the night's headliner. However, Ferguson and Emelianenko are unlikely to fight each other if Emelianenko signs with the organization.

EliteXC is just one of many fight organizations reportedly interested in signing Emelianenko (27-1), who last competed in December at the Yarennoka! New Year's Eve 2007 show. There, he defeated 7-foot-2 Hong Man Choi with a first-round armbar.

Tiki vs. Stewart Set for March 29 Strikeforce/EliteXC

by Dann Stupp on Mar 19, 2008 at 12:26 pm

Undefeated Strikeforce prospect Luke Stewart (5-0) will meet veteran fighter Tiki Ghosn (9-7) at next weekend's Strikeforce/EliteXC show in San Jose, Calif.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) learned of the fight from Ghosn's camp, and his manager, Ken Pavia, confirmed the bout on today's edition of TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com).

The event takes place at the HP Pavilion and airs live on Showtime. Strikeforce world middleweight champ Frank Shamrock takes on Cung Le in the night's main event.

Stewart, who's fought professionally only with Strikeforce, has finished four of his five victories via knockout. The 27-year-old Californian most recently scored a stunning, 19-second knockout (via knee) of Bryson Kamaka at a November Strikeforce event.

He'll now take on Ghosn, a former UFC and WEC fighter who will make his Strikeforce and EliteXC debut at the event. The 31-year-old will look to snap a four-fight losing streak that's included defeats to Chris Lytle and Xtreme Couture fighter Dave Terrel.

The televised card for the event has not yet been announced.

Hose TKOs Baroni for ICON Title

by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Mar 16, 2008 at 1:05 am

Hawaii's popular ICON Sport promotion has a new middleweight champ as local slugger Kala Kolohe Hose (6-1) scored an upset of former UFC and PRIDE fighter Phil Baroni (10-9) at Saturday's "ICON: To Hell and Back" event.

The fifth-round TKO took place in the night's main event at the Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. The event was streamed live on ProElite.com.

Takedowns, followed by ground and pound, worked wonders for Baroni early in the fight, but Hose's endurance and conditioning proved the deciding factors. With Baroni bloodied, battered and winded, Hose forced the TKO stoppage 24 seconds into the fifth round.

With the victory, Hose earned the ICON middleweight belt. And it was a long time coming. The title was was stripped from former champ Robbie Lawler last month after three previously scheduled fights with Hose were scratched due to injuries suffered by Lawler.

Baroni dominated much of the first round thanks to double-leg takedowns with ground and pound from sidemount. He also did some damage early in the second round with stomps and soccer kicks. However, with each passing round, the shots became slower, and Hose began to set the pace. By the fourth round, he was on the prowl -- so much so that Baroni was deducted a point for trying to escape the ring to avoid Hose's blows.

Early in the fifth, Hose sent Baroni to the canvas with a big hook, and a barrage of kicks and punches forced the stoppage just seconds later.

With the loss, Baroni drops to 10-9 and has now lost three of his past four fights.

Meanwhile, the victory, undoubtedly the biggest of his career, gives Hose his sixth consecutive win -- all by way of knockout.

The full results included:

• Kala Kolohe Hose def. Phil Baroni via KO (strikes ) -- Round 5, 0:26
• Jeremy Williams def. Augie Padekan via KO (strikes) -- Round 1, 2:18
• Sadhu Bott vs. Bronson Pieper via submission (armbar) -- Round 1, 4:41
• Russell Doane def. Tyson Nam via TKO (strikes) -- Round 1, 3:53
• Koa Ramos def. Wayne Perrin III via submission (rear-naked choke) -- Round 1, 1:29
• Ross Ebanez def. Brennan Kamaka via TKO (strikes) -- Round 1 :09
• P.J. Dean def. Eddie Rincon via unanimous decision
• Matt Comeau def Elias DeLos Reyes via TKO (strikes) -- Round 2, 2:35
• Matt Comeau def Elias DeLos Reyes via TKO (strikes) -- Round 2, 2:35
• Alan Lima def. David Padilla unanimous decision
• Dwayne Haney def. Zack Rapal via submission (front choke) -- Round 1, 2:27
• Ricky Wallace def. Brandon Pieper via submission (guillotine c) -- Round 1, 0:37
• Jay Bolos def Nui Wheeler via submission (armbar) -- Round 2, 1:26
• Kona Ke def. Micah Ige via submission (rear-naked choke) -- Round 1, 1:45

Shamrocks Falter in Cage Rage Debuts

by David Andrest on Mar 08, 2008 at 11:13 pm

Saturday was a rough night for the Shamrock family as both father and son were unsuccessful in their Cage Rage debuts.

"Cage Rage 25: Bring It On" took place in front of a full house at Wembley Arena in London, England.

The 44-year-old Ken Shamrock and 19-year-old Ryan Shamrock signed multi-fight deals with ProElite, Inc. earlier this year, and Saturday's Cage Rage event was intended to be a stepping stone to bigger fights with the U.S.-based EliteXC. However, their opponentd had other ideas.

In the night's main event, UFC hall-of-famer Ken Shamrock was unable to defend against the youth, speed and power of Robert "Buzz" Berry. Berry started off with low kicks and used an effective jab to keep Shamrock at a distance. Midway through the first round, Shamrock attempted a takedown that was quickly thwarted by his much-bigger opponent.

At the three-minute mark, Berry caught his opponent with a right that put Shamrock a bit off balance, and he followed with a left-right combo that sent the 44-year-old MMA legend to the canvas. Referee Grant Waterman quickly stepped in and stopped the fight.

In addition to the sting of his seventh loss in eight fights, Shamrock may have cost himself headliner status in the first-ever MMA event on major network television. EliteXC recently inked a deal with CBS, and the first event is expected to take place in late April. Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson will likely headline the event, and Shamrock had been rumored as a possible opponent.

The younger Shamrock didn't fair any better.

Earlier in the evening, Ryan Shamrock suffered a broken left hand during the first round of his fight with Giorgio Andrews. After a very entertaining opening round, an examination by the ringside doctor revealed that Shamrock's hand was broken. The doctor called a stop to the fight, and Andrews was awarded the TKO victory.

In other action, the Cage Rage featherweight belt was on the line as title-holder Masakazu Imanari faced off with Jean Silva. Silva was overpowering the champion in the opening minutes of a fast-and-furious opening round and looked dominant. However, Imanari changed his fortunes with a reverse heel hook at 2:30 of the first round. Silva looked to have suffered an injury during the submission and was taken from the cage via stretcher.

The full results of the night included:

• Robert Berry def. Ken Shamrock via KO (punches) -- Round 1 3:26
• Masakazu Imanari def. Jean Silva via submission (heel hook) -- Round 1 2:30
• Rob Broughton def. Neil Grove via majority decision
• Mustapha al Turk def. Gary Turner via submission (strikes) -- Round 1, 3:19
• Tom Watson def. Pierre Guillet via TKO (strikes)-- Round 1, 2:05
• Ivan Serati Roman def. Webber via TKO (strikes) -- Round 1, 0:48
• Henrique Santana def. Michael Johnson via unanimous decision
• Aisling Daly def. Aysen Berik via TKO (strikes)-- Round 1, 1:49
• Giorgio Andrews def. Ryan Shamrock via TKO (injury)-- Round 1, 5:00
• John Hathaway def. Marvin Arnold Bleau via TKO (strikes) -- Round 1, 1:32
• John Phillips def. Jake Bostwick via TKO (strikes) -- Round 1, 4:10

"Cyborg" Replaces Riggs at March 29 Strikeforce/EliteXC Show

by Dann Stupp on Mar 04, 2008 at 3:52 pm

Veteran fighter Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos (15-11), who takes on Makoto Takimoto (4-3) at Wednesday's World Victory Road debut show, will then return to the U.S. for a March 29 Strikeforce/EliteXC fight with Joey Villasenor (24-6).

Strikeforce Vice President Mike Afromowitz today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Santos will fill in for Joe Riggs (27-10), who was scratched from the event due to an injury suffered in last month's Strikeforce show.

"Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Cung Le" takes place March 29 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Strikeforce world middleweight champ Frank Shamrock (23-8-1) meets undefeated Cung Le (5-0) in the night's main event.

Riggs had to pull out of the bout with Villasenor due to a back injury. In a Feb. 23 "Strikeforce at the Dome" fight with Cory Devela, Riggs was thrown to the mat and forced to tap out instantly from the pain. He's since had two procedures to relieve pressure on his sciatic nerve.

"He is really, really disappointed," said Ken Pavia, the fighter's agent. "Joe really wanted this fight with Joey Villasenor, but he'll be back and ready to fight in April... He starts training again next week."

So long as Santos doesn't suffer significant damage in tomorrow's fight, the 30-year-old PRIDE and Cage Rage vet will make his Strikeforce debut against Villasenor, a Team Jackson fighter.

After suffering a second-round TKO to Murilo "Ninja" Rua in a June fight for the EliteXC middleweight title, Villasenor earned a split-decision victory over Riki Fukuda in September. He had been scheduled for a King of the Cage fight but pulled out of the bout when he was offered a slot on the Strikeforce/EliteXC card.

In addition to Shamrock vs. Le, Jake Shields meets former UFC fighter Drew Fickett on the night's main card.

Report: Nick Diaz Added to March 29 EliteXC/Strikeforce Event

by Dann Stupp on Mar 01, 2008 at 2:31 pm

Nick Diaz, who was tentatively scheduled to return to EliteXC in April, will instead compete on the organization's March 29 show. The event, which takes place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., is co-promoted by Strikeforce and features a main event between Frank Shamrock and Cung Le.

The Diaz news comes from GracieFighter.com, a website owned by Cesar Gracie, under whom Diaz trains. MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) couldn't immediately reach event officials for confirmation.

Diaz's opponent hasn't been named.

Last month, fiveouncesofpain.com reported that Muhsin Corbbrey (6-2), an up-and-comer who made a name for himself with back-to-back victories in EliteXC's "ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series" events, would likely be Diaz's opponent at the April 26 event in Honolulu, Hawaii. However, the website now reports the fight has been scrapped.

Diaz most recently fought K.J. Noons for EliteXC's vacant lightweight title in November, but the bout was stopped after the first round because of multiple cuts on Diazâ??s face. He had surgery to repair significant scar tissue soon after the TKO loss.

The former UFC fighter is now 4-1 (with one no-contest) in his past six fights.

Diaz may have been added to the March fight card after a few notable subtractions. As MMAjunkie.com reported earlier this week, a fight between Strikeforce world lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez (13-1) and Jorge Masvidal (13-2) has been scrapped because of a shin injury suffered by Masvidal at a Feb. 23 Strikeforce event. (The organization is on the search for a replacement.) Additionally, a back injury suffered in the same event will likely force Joe Riggs out of his bout with Joey Villasenor.

Still, in addition to Shamrock vs Le, the event will feature a fight between Jake Shields and Drew Fickett for the vacant EliteXC welterweight title, and notables such as Paul Daley and Paul Buenetello are also expected to compete.

The airs on Showtime.

EliteXC Officially Announces Broadcast Deal with CBS

by Dann Stuppon Feb 28, 2008 at 10:42

Pro Elite, Inc., the parent company of Elite Xtreme Combat, today confirmed the news that MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) broke on Wednesday: the fight promotion has inked a deal with the CBS Television Network that will put MMA on major network TV for the first time in history.

According to the press release, the two companies have signed a multi-year agreement that calls for four live EliteXC events per year. The two-hour live primetime specials will be held on Saturday nights.

"Mixed martial arts is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country and a wildly popular entertainment vehicle for upscale, young adult audiences," Senior Executive Vice President of CBS Primetime Kelly Kahl stated. "It's original programming for Saturday night. It's live, creating an event-atmosphere, and it's something that hasn't been seen on network television, until now."

The International Fight League previously broadcast on MyNetworkTV, which is technically considered a "network." However, it's the lowest-rated of the six major US English-language commercial broadcast networks -- and its overall audience pales in comparison to a broadcast staple such as CBS.

"Our world-class fighters and the high production value of our events continue to drive ProElite as a global MMA organization that is fortified by the bedrock foundation of a partnership with CBS," EliteXC President Gary Shaw stated. "Broadcasting our events on CBS will instantly engage a new fan base, as well as provide an opportunity for EliteXC to further establish itself as the world's premier MMA organization."

Other than confirming that CBS and ProElite.com will work on some joint online ventures to promote the events, today's announcement confirmed few additional details of the deal.

So, for information about the deal and its possible ramifications (including Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson as a likely headliner), check out MMAjunkie.com's original report and our follow-up story.

EliteXC was founded as a partnership with Showtime Networks in 2006. Showtime is owned by CBS.

"EliteXC: Street Certified" Official Fighters' Salaries: Payouts from $1 to $175,000

by Dann Stupp on Feb 20, 2008 at 1:21 pm

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today received the official reported salaries from Saturday's "EliteXC: Street Certified" event. Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson, the night's main-event winner, earned the highest the biggest payout at $175,000, and his opponent, David "Tank" Abbott, earned $126,000.

The event took place at the sold-out BankUnited Center at the University of Miami in Florida. The main card aired on Showtime.

The salaries were acquired from the Florida State Boxing Commission. They ranged from just $1 to $175,000.

The total disclosed payroll for the event was $479,001.

• Kevin Ferguson ($175,000) def. David Abbott ($126,000)
• Antonio Silva ($80,000) def. Ricco Rodriguez ($20,000)
• Scott Smith ($12,000) def. Kyle Noke ($3,000)
• Yves Edwards ($6,000) def. Edson Berto ($6,000)
• Brett Rogers ($4,000) def. James Thompson ($25,000)
• Rafael Feijao ($6,000) def. John Doyle ($2,5O0)
• Yosmany Cabezas ($2,000) def. Jon Kirk ($2,500)
• Dave Herman ($1,500) def. Mario Rinaldi ($2,000)
• Eric Bradley ($1,000) def. Mikey Gomez ($1,500)
• Lorenzo Borgomeo ($1,000) def. Mike Bernhard ($1,500)
• Moyses Gabin ($1)* def. Jirka Hlavati ($500)

* -- Yes, Gabin earned just $1. We confirmed the amount with the FBAC, though MMAjunkie.com has been unable to confirm why the amount was so low.

Yves Edwards to Fight KJ Noons for EliteXC Title in April

by Dann Stupp on Feb 20, 2008 at 12:44 pm

All he had to do was ask for it.

As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported earlier this morning, Yves Edwards was a recent guest on TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com) and expressed his desire to fight EliteXC lightweight champ KJ Noons.

Today, American Top Team confirmed that the bout has been booked for April 26 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The announcement was made on www.americantopteam.com.

Edwards joined the Florida-based fight team after losing five of six fights over a two-year period. The skid knocked the 31-year-old fighter out of the UFC and into a handful of smaller promotions. However, EliteXC took a gamble on the fighter (as did HDNet Fights), and the result has been three-consecutive victories via stoppage.

Prior to the flurry of losses and during a reign from 2002-'04, Edwards was widely regarded as the UFC's unofficial lightweight champion. At the time, the organization lacked a 155-lb. title.

Edwards most recently scored a first-round flying knee knockout of Edson Berto (13-5-1) at this past weeken's EliteXC event.

Noons, 25, won EliteXC's first-ever lightweight championship bout with an upset for Nick Diaz back in November. Noons sliced and diced his way to victory, eventually earning a TKO after the doctor refused to let Diaz continue past the first round because of numerous cuts on his face.

All six of his victories have come via KO or TKO.

In addition to Edwards vs. Noons, the April 26 EliteXC show will feature a fight between Nick Diaz and Muhsin Corbbrey.

"EliteXC: Street Certified" Recap: Kimbo Dismantles Tank, Silva Narrowly Edges Rodriguez

by Dann Stupp on Feb 17, 2008 at 2:54 am

MIAMI, Fla. -- After all the build-up and trash-talk and bickering -- after the countless predictions and complaints -- Saturday's "EliteXC: Street Certified" main event event lasted less than a minute as Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson (2-0) dismantled David "Tank" Abbott (9-14).

The fight capped off Saturday's 11-fight event, which took place in front of more than 6,000 spectators at the University of Miami's BankUnited Center. The main card aired on Showtime.

Although the former underground fighter went legit once he began training with MMA with legend Bas Rutten, Slice turned the fight into an all-out brawl, dropping Abbott numerous times before the fight was finally halted 43 seconds in.

Abbott connected on a stiff left before closing the distance and locking up Slice early in the fight, but it was all downhill from there. Nothing worked for the former UFC fighter, and despite two confusing stoppages, he never regained his form from Slice's early blows.

While the two fighters traded barbs all the way up until Friday's weigh-ins, the mood after the fight could best be described as cordial.

"I've got a lot of respect for Tank," Slice said after the fight. "I grew up watching all his fights from when he was a shorty. This was one of my dream fights -- right up there with (Mike) Tyson."

Meanwhile, in the night's co-main event, Antonio Silva (10-1) outlasted fellow heavyweight Ricco Rodriguez (27-8) for a split-decision victory.

"Ricco is and always will be a dangerous fighter," Silva said though an interpreter. "Thanks goodness I came out ahead."

The performance was all the more remarkable, considering Silva tore his MCL just two weeks ago. Silva confirmed the injury in a post-fight interview and again in the post-event press conference. Silva said fans would have seen a more explosive and less tentative fighter were it not for the injury.

"Sorry everyone," he said. "This was not one of my best fights."

While Rodriguez seemed the clear winner of the first round, judge Rich Careen scored it a clean sweep (30-27) for Silva while judge Hector Gomez had it 29-28 for Silva and judge Chris Lee had it 29-28 for Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who can currently be seen on VH1's "Celebrity Rehab," wasn't in tip-top shape, but he had one of his better performances of the past couple years. In fact, he's the only opponent ever to take Silva past the first round -- let alone to a decision.

"I've been dealing with a lot of stuff, and it just felt good to get back in the cage," Rodriguez said. "I wanted to come out ahead... but this gives me something to build on. I look forward to fighting for (EliteXC) again and becoming the fighter I know I can be."

Former UFC middleweight Scott Smith (13-4) delivered in his first fight under the EliteXC banner, posting yet another a highlight-reel knockout -- this time over Kyle Noke (14-4-1).

It just took a little longer than expected.

"I'm sorry for the first round," Smith said about the first-round snoozer. "Kyle actually rocked me with about the third punch of that round... He was picking me apart. I know he'd probably beat me if it went the distance."

Between rounds, though, Smith told his corner that he found his range and was no longer looking to counter-strike. He went on the offense, and within seconds of the second round's opening, Noke was out cold on the canvas due to a stiff right punch to the chin.

Smith followed up with a second blow -- one that could be called unnecessary -- that caused Noke's head to bounce off the mat. Although the punch had the potential to do serious damage, the Australian would leave the ring under his own power.

With his EliteXC debut a successful one, the buzz naturally centers upon Smith's possible showdown with another hard-hitting middleweight: EliteXC 185-lb. champ Robbie Lawler.

"I love fights like (those with) Robbie Lawler," Smith said. "I love guys that come at you. He's not afraid, and I'm not afraid to go forward. I love that fight."

EliteXC officials could only say that it might come later in the year.

After a three-fight losing skid that knocked Yves Edwards (33-13-1) out of the UFC and off the MMA map, the 31-year-old fighter has now rebounded for a three-fight winning streak. And for the first time in three-and-a-half years, his victory came via knockout.

Opponent Edson Berto (13-5-1) locked in an early guillotine choke, but after escaping, Edwards would control the rest of the fight. After enduring a ground-and-pound assault, Berto dipped down for a takedown in the opening round's final seconds.

It'd be a mistake.

"He shot for the knee, and my corner kept saying, "Strike with the knee; strike with the knee!'" Edwards said.

And he did. Going airborne for a split second, Edwards tagged Berto with a knee to the face. Berto hit the mat, prompting the stoppage via knockout at 4:56 of the first round.

While the winning streak is nice, Edwards isn't about to pass up top opponents to keep it alive.

"If you're not doing this to win a championship, you need to be doing something else," Edwards said. "Sell some insurance or groceries or some (crap) like that."

An emotional and very appreciative Edwards continually thanked EliteXC executives in a post-event press conference for giving him a second chance.

In the night's first televised fight, Brett Rogers stretched his perfect record to 8-0 with a right-left-right-left combination that sent James Thompson (16-8) tumbling to the canvas. The knockout victory came at 2:24 of the first round.

It was Thompson's sixth loss in his past eight fights.

The victory came as a surprise to few people. Chief among them? Rogers himself.

"I don't think I have to say anything," Rogers said. "I think (the performance) spoke for itself."

PRELIMINARY FIGHTS:

The night's preliminary card ended with a bang as light heavyweights Rafael Feijao (5-1) and John Doyle (6-3) engaged in a good ol' slugfest. Feijao connected on a series of knees to the head and body before a fight-ending body blow sent Doyle to the canvas. Feijao's cornermen, UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva and UFC interim heavyweight champ Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, were the first in the ring to celebrate Feijao's TKO victory, which came at 2:17 of the first round.

Yosmany Cabezas (5-0) earned a one-point deduction late in the first round via an illegal elbow strike, opening a deep gash on along Jon Kirk's (10-3) forehead. The penalty would be unsubstantial, though, as Cabezas launched a ground-and-pound assault that set up the submission victory via rear-naked choke just 58 seconds into the second round.

EliteXC newcomer Dave "Pee Wee" Herman (10-0) kept his undefeated streak alive by dominating Mario Rinaldi (6-3) in a heavyweight clash. Rinaldi caught an early body kick, but Herman kept his balance for a full minute while hopping around on one leg, fending off the takedown. Herman would batter his opponent with knees for the next two rounds before the referee mercifully stopped it in the third. Credit Herman with the TKO victory via strikes at 0:33 of the third frame.

Welterweight Eric Bradley (3-1) used takedown after takedown to control a three-round affair with Mikey Gomez (6-4). It was a clean sweep for the Las Vegas native as he took the unanimous decision with winning scores of 30-27 on all three judges' cards.

Lorenzo Borgameo (3-0) was consistently put on his back throughout the first round but used it to his advantage in the second. When opponent Mike Bernhard (3-1) scored yet another trip takedown, Borgameo locked in a triangle choke, forcing the tap-out at 4:11 of the second round.

Miami fighter Moyses Gabin (2-0) scored a trip takedown, launched a ground-and-pound assault, and opened a deep gash near Jirka Hlavaty's (1-2) right eye in the night's opening fight. The ringside doctor called a halt at 2:32 of the first round to award Gabin the TKO victory.