Elite XC dream team gears up for historic CBS 'Saturday Night Fights' debut

by MMAmania.com on May 21, 2008 8:59 AM EDT

cbs saturday night fights

Props: CBS Media Day

Quoteworthy:

"It’s my honor to promote this show in primetime. This event is probably the single biggest thing to ever happen in the sport of mixed martial arts. The fact you will get this for free is huge for MMA. It is something we are very proud to bring you. More eyeballs will watch this show than has seen any other fight in the world."

Elite XC Live Events President Gary Shaw talks about the significance and importance of the first mixed martial arts (MMA) live event to air on network television during a recent media day to promote the Elite XC "Saturday Night Fights" debut on CBS from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., at 10 p.m. ET on May 31.

Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS

Tweet Comment 38 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Any body else think Dana’s panties are twisted up in a knot over this? lol

by chefdaddy on May 21, 2008 9:02 AM EDT reply actions

Half and half. He is probably pissed that Elite XC are getting primetime network coverage but is also probably thinking that if Elite keep haemorrhaging money like they are at present, in 12 months time they wont exist, there will be no free network coverage and fans who have just got in to MMA will have to to buy the UFC ppv main events to get their fix. It could work really well for either company.

by UKmmaBOY on May 21, 2008 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

a little. the ufc is so head and shoulders above everyone they dont have much to worry about yet. if this is a hit and does well in the ratings then dana will have someone to worry about. then again it could also work in the ufc’s favor. if elite is a sucess then it could help pave their way(the ufc) to national tv on fox, just at a steeper price. if elite xc does well it bodes well for all mma. and you know tv execs will be drooling over the ufc if THIS hits big. it’s probably kinda a double edged sword for dana at this point.

by b.w. on May 21, 2008 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions

It makes me wonder what offers Dana has gotten that he has turned down. For instance, it sounds like CBS decided to go with Frank Shamrock as opposed to Bill Goldberg, and because major stations like to control even the little things that they might not have as much knowledge about, you know Dana wouldn’t be able to give up any of the control that I’m sure Shaw has had to for it to be put on CBS. But, yes, I’m sure Dana White’s Chuck Lidell underoos are wadded up pretty tight.

by UFCAddict on May 21, 2008 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Dream team….? cause those are elite fighters in shaws dreams?. Gina is getting worked her next fight, cause she doesnt train as much as she should, Kimbo stilll doesnt belong in a main event. Robie and Scott are 2nd tear talent. I can’t wait for elite XC to fall. the only fighter in their hands that I am semi interested in is Diaz. the rest who cares.

by ro-J on May 21, 2008 9:06 AM EDT reply actions

well put, but it is good for the sport..I think. Is a youtube thug going to get any new fans that are worth anything? Probably just going to attract thugs and gangstas. I really wish Danna would put his money where his mouth is and take up Shaw on a fight between promotions. I can’t think of any elitexc fighter, (maybe Nick Diaz) that could beat a UFC champion! What does Dana stand to lose?

by kevin on May 21, 2008 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

JAKE SHIELDS > GSP

by kama kaze on May 21, 2008 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Elite XC to MMA is like what Arena Football is to Football. A lot of their fighters wouldn’t even make it through an Ultimate Fighter series.

by jimmy_dean on May 21, 2008 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

It’ll be interesting to see how many more people will check out MMA because it will be coming on in primetime on the most popular station. The thing is, only educated MMA fans will know that this is not the cream of the crop. First timers, and I’m assuming there will be many, will think that this is as good as it gets. If they like it, it’ll only get better for them. However, if they don’t like it, they may never give MMA a chance again.

by UFCAddict on May 21, 2008 9:12 AM EDT reply actions

wich jober is Kimbo fighting in this one? to get even less respect from true mma fans.

by ro-J on May 21, 2008 9:14 AM EDT reply actions

the “Collusus”

by UFCAddict on May 21, 2008 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions

I spelled that wrong… colossus

by UFCAddict on May 21, 2008 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions

James Thompson right?………the guy is a joke! I think my nan has a better chin than him, lol.

by UKMMA on May 21, 2008 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions

I was wondering who he was fighting(not that I’d even know who the guy is).

by ufcmn89 on May 21, 2008 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Is that Kimbos attempt at a smile? Almost like Arnie in Terminator 2.

by UKmmaBOY on May 21, 2008 9:15 AM EDT reply actions

I Love that scene!

by ufcmn89 on May 21, 2008 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Anyone know who’s tapping Gina?

by Silo on May 21, 2008 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

She’s single. She said so in the E60 show.

by dana's cheap on May 21, 2008 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions

There is hope yet!

by chefdaddy on May 21, 2008 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

What a great body. The things I would do. Give me three and a half minutes maybe even four. Robbie lawler is just so hot.

by dana's cheap on May 21, 2008 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

LOL

by Haze on May 21, 2008 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

LMAO

by Silo on May 21, 2008 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Is that the best they can offer as a dream team? Ha god Elite Xc does not interest me one bit. I wouldn’t even watch it for free, just not that many good fighters. Elite Xc is a joke they’ll have vanished by the end of 08 hopefully. But i suppose that whats happens when your whole company is promoted on one fighter who has a few months mma experience and lots of views on youtube.

by Macho Bullshit on May 21, 2008 9:42 AM EDT reply actions

That just proves you are not a mma fan. let me guess you think that the ufc is the only organization that has good fighters..People like you are whats holding mma back… If anything you should wanna watch lawler vs smith… thats gonna be a war!!!… and im hoping that James Thompson actually puts up a good fight… i cant stand to see tha man get knocked silly again…

by mike22 on May 21, 2008 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

LAWLER IS THEIR MOST WELLROUNDED FIGHTER THEYVE GOT (ALSO LOOKS LIKE BJ PENN IN THAT PICTURE), AND HES GOOD. SCOTT SMITH COULDN’T MAKE IT ON TUFF AND WAS VIRTUALLY TKO’ED WITH A SINGLE BODY PUNCH. HES LIKE GABE RUDEIGER!!
KIMBO IS A FREAKSHOW CAN’T WAIT FOR HIM TO GOT KO"ED…
PUT CHUCK LIDDELL, PENN, COUTURE, GSP, SILVA, HELL EVEN BLAKE BOWMAN (FROM TUF) FIGHTING PEOPLE AT “TACO BELL” , PUT IT ON YOU TUBE AND YOUWILL GET KIMKBO # 1,2,3,4, ETC.
DAMN GINA IS HOT, TOO BAD SHE HAS TO GET HIT IN THAT FACE… AND AN OCCASIONAL CHEAP SHOT TO HER MONEY MAKER….

by SoCalStunnaSMP on May 21, 2008 10:18 AM EDT reply actions

I’m a UFC fan but I’ll still watch it…maybe DVR it if I’m busy that weekend.

by MikeD on May 21, 2008 10:32 AM EDT reply actions

lol. Kimbo just disappears in that pic.

by jess on May 21, 2008 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

I wanna see the ratings difference between this show and The Iceman special on Spike. I predict that MMA fans watch this and UFC fans watch the Iceman.

by SpiderStyle on May 21, 2008 12:02 PM EDT reply actions

Kimbo looks like a one legged bum the others found in the street and decided “Hey lets take him in to the gym and put him in the photo shoot”.Not saying he is a bum its just how he looks in that pic before you call me a hater.

I will have to wait for this to appear on the web and grab it as im in the uk but then at least i get to just watch what i want as the card is not impressive imo.

by robw on May 21, 2008 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

i just noticed Gina’s shirt, she is wearing an old school G1 Optimus Prime, “transformers” shirt! awesome! Gina, i will leave my wife for you.

by kitsunex on May 21, 2008 12:53 PM EDT reply actions

nerd

by SpiderStyle on May 21, 2008 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

so?

by kitsunex on May 21, 2008 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Lol with clothes on kimbo looks like a tubby little chump. And why the hell is robbie wearing a Matt Hughes shirt, I know they train together but come on.

by gsp sucka on May 21, 2008 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

So there is a name in the picture that people can recognize.

by naturalshadow on May 21, 2008 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

shoulda worn some sox. zoom in on the green toe nails. hope it aint fungi.

by kama kaze on May 21, 2008 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

gina carano, is freakin’ damn hot!!!

not to mention, check out kimbo’s toes!! NASTY AS HELL!!! hahahaha…

by boardRIDER on May 21, 2008 4:14 PM EDT reply actions

Word is that the CBS prez is regretting signing the deal with EliteXC. It wasnt somethin he looked into too much. Someone’s gettin fired, lol. However, i think they’ll be pleasantly surprised with the ratings. Kimbo does attract fans.

Did anyone catch the Kimbo workout for the media?
C’mon, he barely broke a sweat. And his knees were hilarious.

by stryker on May 21, 2008 7:37 PM EDT reply actions