Pro Elite and DREAM partner to co-promote future fights and events

by James Iannotti on May 15, 2008 12:08 AM EDT

elite xc dream
It was announced at the press conference this past weekend for DREAM 3 that Pro Elite -- the parent company of Elite XC -- and DREAM have agreed to an alliance, if you will, and will work together to co-promote future events.

This news perhaps won't come as a surprise to most fans. Either because it was announced last week, or because we just saw three of Elite XC's biggest stars (Nick Diaz, Mayhem Miller and Eddie Alvarez) fight on the DREAM 3 card.

Here's a snip from ProElite executive William Kelly at the press conference via MMAWeekly.com:

"In the last year ProElite and EliteXC and other brands have made a lot of progress, and some of our progress is due in part to our relationship with FEG and now with Dream. We are sharing fighters. We are sharing referees. We intend to do co-promotions with Dream both in Japan and in the U.S."

This appears to be a win-win situation for both organizations. Elite XC gets more world class-caliber fighters to put together better match ups with its already growing cast of stars. And DREAM will get to possibly leverage Elite XC's television deals with CBS and Showtime as a platform to develop a bigger fan base in the United States and beyond.

There's already talk about Nick Diaz fighting for the DREAM welterweight belt against Mach Sakurai, we all know how well Eddie Alvarez is doing in the lightweight grand prix, and Mayhem Miller put on a show for the Japanese faithful at DREAM 3 -- he'll certainly be a crowd favorite over there.

Putting on my matchmaker cap for a minute, here's sort of a fantasy lineup of what an Elite XC and DREAM co-promoted event could look like:

Kimbo Slice vs. Mirko Cro Cop
Nick Diaz vs. Mach Sakurai
Denis Kang vs. Mayhem Miller II
Paul Daley vs. Joachim Hansen
Eddie Alvarez vs. JZ Calvancante
Sakaraba vs. Frank Shamrock
Jake Shields vs. Shinya Aoki (catchweight)
Jacare Souza vs. Ninja Rua
Yves Edwards vs. Caol Uno II

That was fun, but as you can see the possibilities (or is it fantasies?) are endless. Kudos to both organizations for joining forces -- it should be great for the fans and the sport.

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Looks like Elite Ex is getting some good partners. Good to see 2 promotions looking to work “Together” which is not a word in Dana’s vocabulary.

by Jo on May 15, 2008 12:13 AM EDT reply actions

I knew at some point in this blog someone was going to throw a barb at Dana. I just didn’t think it was going to be the first post.

by JB on May 15, 2008 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Attention all Japanese mma fans. DREAM is giving the fans a chance to vote for what match ups we want to see in the 2nd round of the middleweight tournament. I cant tell anyone what matches to vote on, but by now I think most of you should know that I know a thing or 2 about Japanese mma. Please vote for: Jacre vs. Mayhem and Sakuraba vs. Moussasi

To Vote for what fights u want to see, click on this link: http://www.dreamofficial.com/special/vote/middle.html

That link will take you to the webpage…The problem is that all the fighters names are witten in Japanese. Once u r on the voting page, scroll down the screen and u will see a blank space vs. another blank space, and then four more rows just like it.

When u get to the 1st row, click on the thing next to the 1st open space, you will then have a list of japanease names to choose from. Moussasi is the the 3rd japanese name down from the top….Then go to the other side of the vs. and click the thing next to the back space and Sakuraba is the 4th fighter down from the top.

From there scroll down to the next blank space vs. Blank space. Click on the tab next to the 1st blank space and choose the name 5 down from the top and that will be Mayhem miller. now go over to the other side of the vs. and click the tap: scroll down and Jacre is the name thats the 2nd up from the bottom.

After that fill the rest of the match ups with the names that werent used above and when you are all finished just click the big green tab at the bottom.

Please VOTE!!! I would rather vote for this then the president of the USA. lol

by john on May 15, 2008 7:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks john!
I was trying to figure out who was who?..I am glad we both want to see the same fights, or it would have been more tricky to do my picks..Miller/Jacre would(will) be crazy..I really hope other people want to see this fight and Sakauraba/Moussasi..I got at least 20 different people that will vote these fights..
Also?
Do you know if we can vote more then one time??Maybe 24hr’s at a time(1 vote per day)?..

by Stagger-Lee on May 15, 2008 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions

ha.LOL…When I was there before, I didn’t realize that I could have selected a name, and the fighter’s picture show’s up.It would have made it easy to figure out..All I saw was Japenesse writing and did not click around..Thanks agian john!

by Stagger-Lee on May 15, 2008 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions

No problem Stagger Lee: Thank you for supporting it and getting others to support it…I really appreciate it…. Even better is that you want to see the same fights that I do.

As for this news of co-promoting events between EliteXC and DREAM….This is the smartest thing Gary Shaw could have ever done because he has a few stars but lacks depth in quality opponents to match up against there stars….DREAM should be able to fill that void….This is actually Fantastic news….I am starting to like Gary Shaw more each day!

Also, another rumor is that Sergei Kharitonov will make his DREAM debute at DREAM 5 which will also feature the 1st ever DREAM title fight between Nick Diaz vs. Hayato Mach Sakurai (diaz better check those nasty leg kicks of Sakurai)….and a great strinking display between Cro Cop vs. Lebanner….. THE UFC will have to step there games up because while they are still the best organization, the UFC has decreasing, while DREAM,EliteXC and Affliction seem to be picking up steam.

Dana letting all the UFC’s stars (Arlovski) leave for greener pastures is hurting the UFC and helping the other organizations.

by john on May 15, 2008 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

just finished voting. john, you’re a mma freak. good pick with the Sakuraba Moussasi. i wouldn’t have done it if you didn’t explain the order of the guys in the list. terrible pic of mahem by the way. lol

by kama kaze on May 15, 2008 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I will take that as a compliment Kama Kaze…Thank you for voting. Even better then Saku vs. Moussasi…I feel Jacre vs. Mayhem would be the fight of the night. Mayhem has highly advanced ju jitsu and it would be really interesting to see how his ju jitsu measure up to the BJJ wonder kid…Jacre.

I am ashamed to pick against Mayhem, since I am a mayhem monkey 4 life….But I got Jacre winning this one!

by john on May 15, 2008 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I would like to make a suggestion to all those who are voting….PLEASE vote for the best match ups, not for easy match ups for the guys you like to see in the Finals. For example: I would love to see the final 4 be Jacre, Mayem, Saku and Moussasi….but mma is so unpredictable so if anyone of those fighters loose, we will never get to see the marquee match ups. ….Thats why I suggest voting for Saku vs. MOussasi and Jacre vs. Mayhem to fight in the 2nd round…I would love those match ups to take place in the 3rd round, but if one of the fighters get upset, it will ruin everything. So vote the match ups u want to see now, not match ups that favor the fighters u want to see in the next round

If you dont like Sakuraba vs. Moussasi, another good fight would be Moussasi vs. Tamura……But I feel that Mayhem vs. Jacre would be the fight of the tournament!!!

by john on May 15, 2008 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

finally, we’re seeing somethin new!!! f**kin’ awesome!

by boardRIDER on May 15, 2008 12:21 AM EDT reply actions

yes, nothing wrong with some healthy competition, Dana!

by MMAfan on May 15, 2008 12:30 AM EDT reply actions

Everyone is sick of Dana being a bully and other mma organizations have on goal take out number 1 at any cost

by Mr.FancyPants on May 15, 2008 12:40 AM EDT reply actions

smart move. great fantasy line-up btw. lets wait and see if everything is still “hunky-dory” when it comes to sharing the money.

by b.w. on May 15, 2008 12:50 AM EDT reply actions

exactly. that’s when something will hit the fan.

by JB on May 15, 2008 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions

They should allow Jerome Lebanner vs. Tim Sylvia. I remember a video on youtube where Jerome called out Tim. It seemed impossible before but could definitely happen now!

by MMAGlenn on May 15, 2008 1:04 AM EDT reply actions

EliteXC would never put Kimbo in against CroCop. But i would still pay 40 bucks to watch it.

by Mikey Gilz on May 15, 2008 1:22 AM EDT reply actions

this is great news, but i mean, COME ON!!! who is not watching the NBA playoffs right now. This is the most exciting its been in years. GO LAKERS!!!

by javster on May 15, 2008 1:24 AM EDT reply actions

im watching. go celtics!

by b.w. on May 15, 2008 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I am watching and I would have to say GO JAZZ!!! I can’t stand the Lakers and Kobe Bryant.

The Jazz got screwed last night. About 5-6 crap calls in the last 3 mins of that game. Changed the whole outcome.

I do have to say though, who is going to win a freaking road game already? That would make the playoffs much more exciting. Last night was a great game though.

by MMAFan1981 on May 15, 2008 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed. l.a. is getting all the calls there way cuz stern wants them and kobe in the finals.

by b.w. on May 15, 2008 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

o yea.. almost every series is HOT! GO LAKERS! where do you maniacs blog for NBA stuff? nbamania?

by kama kaze on May 15, 2008 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Go Hawks!!

oops

GO Magic!!!

oops..

GO HORNETS!
yes!

by "Mr. NC-17" on May 15, 2008 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Kimbo vs Cro Cop. I enjoy watching both fight too much to see either lose to each other. Cro Cop might be able to head kick Kimbo somehow and put him down, which would be unthinkable, but more than likely, Cro Cop would just get beasted and KTFO by Kimbo. Which is exactly why it will never ever happen. Cro Cop is gonna fight another mid-level at best fighter and return to the UFC. No way would he fight someone who would actually beat him, and completely negate the whole purpose of his DREAM adventure.

But, I like the idea.

by Craig on May 15, 2008 2:10 AM EDT reply actions

if you think he mirko couldnt beat kimbo your crazy!!! yes kimbo coyuld knock him out… but how many times has mirko been knocked out? i think twice and they were both kinda flukes… ok well gonzaga wasnt a fluke but lets see kimbo head kick him.. i dont think he could

by mike22 on May 15, 2008 2:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Kimbo beat Cro Cop hahah. are u serious?

by braveheart on May 15, 2008 5:28 AM EDT up reply actions

It just goes to show, with comments like this, that you haven’t been watching MMA very long. For F**ks sake Cro Cop would kill him.

by Nuts on May 15, 2008 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Did you think that Gabe Gonzaga was more than mid-level when he fought Cro Cop? I am sure before that fight you were thinking why is Cro Cop fighting this guy? It just goes to show that anything can happen in this sport if you do not come fully prepared for a fight.

I also believe that Cro Cop thought he was going to walk through Gonzaga and Kongo which is one reason why he had two disappointing performances in the UFC. Everytime he fights a big name opponent he performs very well.

by MMAFan1981 on May 15, 2008 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Way to exaggerate. He’s choked against some big name opponents.

by Pat on May 15, 2008 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Name a fight where he has choked against big name opponents. I wouldn’t call kicking the crap out of Big Nog for the first 10 mins and would have ended the fight if it lasted another 10 to 20 secs a choke. He got caught by an unbelievable arm bar.

Against Fedor he fought unbelievably well but he was fighting Fedor. If that fight took place in the UFC it could have gone either way. He has beaten Barnett 3 times. A few other big names that he has defeated: Sakuraba, Wanderlei, Coleman, Aleks, Herring, and he got his revenge on Randleman.

by MMAFan1981 on May 15, 2008 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Kimbo has a punhchers chance against Cro Cop, but my money will be on Cro Cop!

by GameFace on May 15, 2008 2:27 AM EDT reply actions

Paul Daley vs. Joachim Hansen
Eddie Alvarez vs. JZ Calvancante

How can you not make it a Hellboy-vs-Alvarez II ? After Dream 3 there is not a single re-match I want to see more.

As for Kimbo-vs-CroCop, I think it would be a hard fight for CroCop, simply because Kimbo could rush in and swing like crazy and either hurt him with a hook or body-punch. Then again, if CroCop would find the necessary time to chop away with leg-kicks he’d amputate Kimbo’s left leg in under a minute.

by YouTapped on May 15, 2008 2:33 AM EDT reply actions

Word, I agreee with most, except I don’t think anybody could do very well rushing in on a Crocop who is 100% Not even Fedor could do much at all.

by The Anomaly on May 15, 2008 3:41 AM EDT up reply actions

OK boys, don’t start blowing Cro-Cop again just because he disposed of two douchebags in Japan. Remember how Kongo just grabbed and manhandled Mirko at his own game. That is why he left the UFC, to much REAL competition inside the Octagon.
Kimbo has more than just a punchers chance, Mirko is still gun shy and I believe that 1 solid shot anywhere to Mirkos body will send the images of Gonzaga beating him down into his fragile psyche like Rocky Balboa thinking about Drago in Rocky 5. I myself would like to see Kimbo lay Mirko out on the floor with one his legs twitching uncontrollably and his eyes jackpotting! I wonder how much Mirko would payout?

by Ray on May 15, 2008 4:08 AM EDT up reply actions

You’re sick.

by Nuts on May 15, 2008 7:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Kimbo v Cro-Cop would be excellent. Kimbo KTFO by a sick headkick from Cro-Cop 5 seconds into the fight after trying to bum rush him.

by UKmmaBOY on May 15, 2008 4:50 AM EDT reply actions

LOL. cro cop needs a tune up fight. give him kimbo! dream/elite merger alliance is Fawesome news. Dana must be sh*ttin bricks right about now.

by kama kaze on May 15, 2008 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Mirko needs to get himself back in the UFC…enough already….but if that fight was possible I’d like to see it!

by ToeLock on May 15, 2008 6:54 AM EDT reply actions

CRO COP will never fight in the Octagon again!

by john on May 15, 2008 7:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I love how you back your claim up with some background information and facts. Good job!

You might be right, but not because he’d end his career. Maybe after DREAM he will move to Affliction if they take off. After all, the plan is a new years eve event CroCop-vs-Fedor and Fedor apparently signed with Affliction. Given FSE’s (DREAM) quite liberal take on cross-promotions I’d assume they could agree with Affliction on splitting the revenue of such an event, which would be the biggest fight this year for many fans of PRIDE (except maybe Fedor-Couture).

by YouTapped on May 15, 2008 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Cro Cop vs. Fedor for New Years is not yet set in stone because I have been hearing many rumors about a Fedor vs. Barnett match up for New Years in Japan

Either way we will get to see a great fight. personally I would prefer Barnett vv. Fedor, but cro cop isnt a bad 2nd choice

Cant I make a basless claim, once in a while without u attacking me. I provide factual background info in most of my posts, and the few times I dont,when I state a feeling or oppinion, you jump down my throat! People love being confrontational on the internet…..Very very Petty!

by john on May 15, 2008 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Well you have quite a generic name, so it would be hard for me to judge your other posts as every 3rd or 4th post is made by a john/John/Johnny/Johnnie/etc.

And I wasn’t commenting on your overall performance but this single comment you made which was – as you said yourself – a baseless claim. If you state your opinion, a simple “I think that …” would clear things up.

I just call it like I see it. As for Fedor-vs-Barnett: yea, thats the more likely matchup considering they’re both featured on the same fightcard and that’d make for a sick main event at Affliction’s 2nd or 3rd show, but that’d setup a potential CroCop-Barnett again and I don’t think anyone wants to see it the 4th time. So I’d rather have it the other way around.

by YouTapped on May 15, 2008 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

I get what u r saying, but I feel that Barnett vs. Fedor on New years eve in Japan would be a monster fight. 1st of all, both Barnett and Fedor are GODS in Japan. 2nd: This match up has never happened I would like to see that fight happen 1st, before we see Cro Cop vs. Fedor 2.

I will try to be more clear when I am just stating an oppinion…sorry for the confusion.

You kNow who the real JOHN is! Though my name is generic, by now you should all know which posts belong to me!

by john on May 15, 2008 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

This is all depending on Barnetts oponent on this card. If it truly is Arolovski then he’ll have a hell of a fight on his hands. Personally I’m a huge AA fan and think he would be Barnett. So maybe a possible Fedor-Arlovski fight would be in the mix. I admit however that either Fedor or Arlovski would be more interesting than Cro Cop fighting Fedor. I did see the Cro Cop Fedor fight and to me Cro Cop looked a little bewildered when he didn’t really affect Fedor. Its been awhile since I’ve seen the fight so maybe I remember it differently but it was like Fedor just killed Cro Cops drive.

by Smokes on May 15, 2008 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I got completly mixed up with this fight. I made the claim that Barnett and Arlovski were possibly fighting but I meant Rothwell lol. Anyway Arlovski IMO would be a good challenge for Fedor or Barnett and I think he legitametly could beat them both (as well as the opposite) but any of those three guys fighting would convince me to buy a ticket.

by Smokes on May 15, 2008 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Kimbo i love you but your not ready for Cro Cop. He’ll send your head flying into the fifth row.

this may be the first fight where someone actually dies!

by MDR on May 15, 2008 8:42 AM EDT reply actions

I think Dana doesnt and is so hell bent on not co promoting because of all the comp from Pride in the early years so he still sees it as a bad idea which it might be, who knows if living n the past could cost him but as long as youve got the best LTWT in the world BJ Penn, the bes WTWT in the world GSP, the best MWT in the world A.Silva, most of the top if not the top LTHWs i nthe world he shouldnt have much to worry about but if significant competitors show up in other ors that he cant bring in he will have to worry about all his top fighters cleaning out their divisions or two and moving on from the UFC leaving him empty for talent by 2011/2012 . . .

by ( (Adam G) ) on May 15, 2008 10:58 AM EDT reply actions

you’re right about having those champs being the best in the world and about the future talent pool drainage. eliteXC + dream = pride + more. some people thought pride was better. what if the UFC guys like Karo or Diego start looking for greener pasteurs? when pride got bought, there wasn’t anywhere else to go except bending over and taking it from behind by UFC. now they got options and are able to throw up middle fingers to Dana.

by kama kaze on May 15, 2008 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d like to see those fights as well. Shields/ Aoki for sure

by c-war on May 15, 2008 12:23 PM EDT reply actions

i would actually pay money to watch crocop and kimbo throw dueses.

by belfort_fan on May 15, 2008 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

Kimbo would murder Cro Cop if he connects. CC has fought more and has more experince but if Kimbo lands a solid shot its over, we all know CC has a glass jaw

by jdawg on May 15, 2008 3:00 PM EDT reply actions

Aoki vs Shields would be a mismatch. Aoki would get pounded out in the first round guaranteed. His submissions will only take his so far.

by ryan on May 15, 2008 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

OVA

by ryan on May 15, 2008 3:28 PM EDT reply actions

Two promotions working together in the best interest of MMA… excellent.

by DJ on May 15, 2008 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

COOL!!! Kimbo vs Cro Cop is pretty interesting but i wanna see Fedor fight Kimbo first.

by Tex-Mex on May 15, 2008 4:44 PM EDT reply actions

Im hoping for a Mirko Cro Cop vs. Antonio Silva match..

That would be nifty. I mean Silva has a huge jaw, maybe Cro Cop could kick it in a little.

Ricco Rod vs. Jerome LeBanner. hehe.

Mayhem Miller vs. Anybody. Mayhem wins.

by "Mr. NC-17" on May 15, 2008 5:19 PM EDT reply actions

SAKU v. SHAM thats the best match ever I will go and watch that live

by ThenextLHchamp on May 15, 2008 5:21 PM EDT reply actions

This is brillant. If Elite and DREAM are co promoting I would expect to see Cage Rage and Strikeforce guys fighting DREAM guys too. Affliction and Adrenaline just need to be added to the mix now.

by RobH86 on May 15, 2008 6:08 PM EDT reply actions

Why the hell would Dana want to do co-promotion?

It’s just bad business. UFC is a house hold name, everyone knows it, whether they watch MMA or not.

Most people have no clue who org’s like Elitexc or Dream are; giving them a co-promotion with UFC would give HUGE exposure to smaller lesser known, competitive companies, and gives the illusion they are somewhat equal.

I know we’d all like to see the fights, a co-promotion with UFC would bring, but it would be a very stupid business move.

by ShaiZ on May 15, 2008 9:59 PM EDT reply actions

first off kimbo hasnt fought a person good enough to even consider giving a top5 fight like cro cop yet.. cro cop would fucking murder him kimbo has verry little skill and cro cop isnt like tank or ray mercer and gonna be a dumbfuck, hes fought the best and done very very well, kimbo beat some old washed up couldnt make it in the ufc people, cro cop might not have won all his fights there but didnt fight 1 can of a person either…

dana white doesn’t have to worry about these people cross promoting because in the end the name UFC sells it all the WWE had the same thing happen to them for awhile and ate up the rest, and got stronger than ever and the same will happen now (that’s actually the only comparison good for the ufc haha)..

the other fights would be damn sick, but i kinda wanna see cro cop sylvia on new years eve and barnett fedor neither fight has happened and both promise to be great

by randy murders on May 16, 2008 1:46 AM EDT reply actions