Drew Fickett fiasco puts Elite XC title fight against Jake Shields in doubt
by James Iannotti on Jun 16, 2008 9:02 PM EDT
58 comments
Drew Fickett and Jake Shields were supposed to hook 'em up at "Return of the King" this past weekend to crown the first-ever 170-pound champion for the mixed martial arts promotion.
However, Fickett had to withdraw from the June 14 fight because of an alleged injury, postponing the bout for the second time (an injury to Shields was the reason for the first cancellation).
This where things get a little funny.
It seems the injury to Fickett's knee -- his reason for bowing out of the fight against Shields at the Hawaii show -- wasn't as bad as he originally thought.
At least not severe enough to keep him from fighting on June 7.
Apparently "The Master" -- without Pro Elite's knowledge -- competed in local a Rage in the Cage 111 event one week prior to the Elite XC show, submitting Jeff Horlacher with a first round guillotine.
So here's the question: How can a fighter be fit enough to fight on June 7, but not June 14?
Even if Fickett thought he could defeat Horlacher at less than 100 percent it still makes no sense. Or, perhaps he felt his non-exclusive contract meant he was just free to fight whoever and wherever without telling anybody.
It's also possible that Fickett just decided on his own that he would rather fight Horlacher at Rage in the Cage 111 instead of headlining an Elite XC event in Hawaii, on Showtime, for a world title.
Fickett has always been a little off center ... anything is possible.
Regardless, it is a decision that does not sit well with Pro Elite officials. In fact, according to GracieFighter.com, the promotion intends to cut Fickett from his contract.
Here's the snip:
"Fickett's decision cost Shields financially as he was left without a fight for the Hawaii card. EliteXC has not been able to contact Fickett and it looks as if they will be dropping him from their organization."
Fickett might have anticipated this the whole time -- he is also scheduled to fight Ryan Ford for the vacant MFC welterweight title in Canada on July 25.
Whatever the case, the show must go on even though we've been waiting for months for something that was never going to happen ... and for no apparent reason.
Here's the good news: The report indicated that Shields is a lock for the July 26 "Saturday Night Fights" show on CBS and he could face the super tough and talented Nick Thompson.
Here's the snip:
"Shields will now be fighting on EliteXC's newly announced July 26th CBS show. Possible opponents now being looked at are Nick Thompson and Jay Hieron amongst others."
For those who are unfamiliar with Thompson he is the last man to hold the BoDog welterweight championship, toppling Eddie Alvarez (his only career defeat) to earn the strap. He's riding a ridiculous 12-fight win streak.
Hieron isn't too shabby, either, he's the reigning IFL champ.
Perhaps both of these options, in the end, will make for a better fight for Shields ... and the fans.
Stay tuned for more details.
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Shady hapennings in EliteXC, no way! BOYCOTT EliteXC.
by the_mexicutioner on Jun 16, 2008 9:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
lol yeah i think everybdoy gets his point, yes elite xc is a pretty lack luster org but they got a few decent fighters. and if theres a jake shileds or nick diaz fight them im watching no matter what.
by Macho Bullshit on Jun 16, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
seriously… Do have anything better to do than sit around waiting for a new thread on EliteXC just to have the first comment and say to boycott EliteXC???
Who are you, Dana’s left nut?
by ViolentMike on Jun 17, 2008 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its kind of funny how EliteXc is obviously a joke of a promotion, but yet this blog continues to plug it. Saying ‘Boycott EliteXC’ isnt half as bad as some of the other things that are posted on this blog, but yet MMAmania is singling me out saying they get my point, please stop as if what Im doing is actually wrong. Do the word hurts that much? Are they that threatening? Are you afraid that if ‘all the great fighters’ in EliteXc read these words thaey will not give you interviews? Talk about bowing down to a crap organization.
by the_mexicutioner on Jun 16, 2008 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
its just getting a little tiring i think when on every piece on elite xc your there saying “boycott elite xc”, if you don’t like it than don’t watch it, or if you feel strongly about your dislike for elite xc than actually explain why you don’t like it, you don’t have to keep repeating yourself saying “boycott elite xc” your wasting your own time doing that. hell i don’t like elite xc that much but i’ll watch some of the very few good fights they have because its mma.
by Macho Bullshit on Jun 16, 2008 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does it really need an explaination? Can you guess why I as well as other people who post on this blog say the same thing? Have you ever watched an EliteXC show? Come on now, it should be common sense.
by the_mexicutioner on Jun 16, 2008 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also, I think putting the word Boycott in front of something is not as bad as putting ‘WAR’ in front of someones name like a bunch of Jime Rome groupies do on here.
by the_mexicutioner on Jun 16, 2008 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well, he does have a point on that one.
by travo on Jun 17, 2008 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have been watching mma since Smith knocked out Conan with a high kick and Renzo stepped on the head of an opponent he’d just beaten, nothing would deter me from watching any org or any fighter willing to throwdown in a sanctioned fight. I’ll just wait for those great words “protect yourself at all times” and enjoy the show whoever is fighting. It could be Joe Son and I’d still watch, so boycot my left nut, it doesn’t wok that well anyway.
by sycboi on Jun 17, 2008 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s OK sycboi, that’s why God gave you two.
by chefdaddy on Jun 17, 2008 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The mexicutioner is only posting two words and people are getting there panies in a bunch. I’d rather read two words than a whole paragraph on BJ Penn in every other thread. If this is a comment section then let the man comment!!!
by JV on Jun 17, 2008 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just saying boycott once is fine, but I’ve read threads where he must have said it 10 times. We all get how he feels, he doesn’t hide it well. lol. But at this point it’s just beating a dead horse. ‘Course with some of the stupid crap I put on here, I really shouldn’t complain.
by chefdaddy on Jun 17, 2008 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
they told you they get the point, it’s not like you’re posts aren’t getting up at all, or edited! quit bitching, I think tthe point is, other than saying “boycott elite,” you haven’t said anything in a week!
by kevin on Jun 17, 2008 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ay amigo, i was on that boycott agenda too cuz the CBS debut was crap. something was definitely up in that 1. i wouldn’t have watched this last event but when i turned on the tv at the hotel room where we were staying, only thing that was on was the diaz/cobbery fight so i couldn’t resist and there were no weird stoppages and even the announcers seemed to do their bjj homework. this 1 wasn’t that bad.
by kama kaze on Jun 16, 2008 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thats the only fight I wish I saw. But at the same time it would be like going and watching one of your favorite NBA players play a game in the CBA or D-League. I wish Diaz would go to the UFC or WEC. I think he would be better off just staying in Dream. Aside from getting back at Noons, he really has no business fighting a bunch of cans in a crap organization. He’s pretty much above that.
by the_mexicutioner on Jun 16, 2008 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So you watched? KJ Noons is “above that”. The kid has what, 7 mma wins? He isn’t above anything. KrazyHorse KO’d him in the first ever EliteXC fight. You must believe the hype of all the CityBox guys…
by ViolentMike on Jun 17, 2008 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
City Box Hype?
OK, I’m from San Diego and watch KJ Noons and Brandon Vera from CityBoxing. They are both accomplished fighters. Maybe, KJ started out slow but the guy has won all his fights by KO and the most recent one in exciting fashion. You can’t say Edwards isn’t a solid fighter, he got caught and Noons finished him. I can’t wait to see KJ KO a washed up Diaz who looked the worst I’ve ever seen in this recent fight.
Brandon Vera has beaten Frank Mir and is an excellent Heavy weight figher, he will drop down to 205 and should be fighting Wandy soon. I don’t see any hype in those fighters???
by MMA_Junkie on Jun 17, 2008 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seeing that you are from San Diego and are a fan of the CityBox fighters, I would guess that you would know that Brandon Vera’s saying is “DOn’t believe me, believe the hype”
by ViolentMike on Jun 18, 2008 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I watch all their broadcasts. Twice usually.
by Jason on Jun 16, 2008 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
f**K DREW Ficket! I never liked his bitch ass. Asshole made us wait half a year to see Sheilds fight and he pulls this crap!
I hope u spends the rest of his career in small promotions earning $200 a fight. “The Master” lol give me a freakin Break!~
TOOL!!!
by john on Jun 17, 2008 8:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree 100% John. This dude is such a douche. I remember reading stories about him… What a loser.
Unfortunately the real loser in this situation is Jake Shields. That man deserves to have the belt around his waist by now. 7 months ago he defeated Mike Pyle in a bout that was supposed to be for the belt. But since Pyle wouldnt sign an extension before the fight (or something to that effect) the fight became a non title bout.
Jake is head and shoulders above all WW competition in EliteXC. I really hope he doesn’t stay there much longer than a year. He needs to be fighting in the UFC during the prime of his career, which is RIGHT NOW!
by ViolentMike on Jun 17, 2008 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
People cant blame Fickett for wanting to be 100% for that fight.
by JV on Jun 16, 2008 9:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
lol, are you serious? If he wanted to be 100% for that fight he wouldn’t be fighting in other orgs. Apparently he just didn’t want to fight Shields. Not cool considering that has been keeping Shields out of action, and not getting paid to fight. Does anybody know about how much Fickett would have made, or has made for past fights with Elite XC??
by Haze on Jun 16, 2008 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fickett has a right to choose any fight he wants, maybe he didn’t like who he would be fighting after he beat Shields. Or maybe he really just didn’t see any possibility of beating Sheilds, either way I hope to see Fickett in a better org. anyway. Honestly the guy was always exciting to watch in his UFC fights I was stumped when he left.
by Smokes on Jun 17, 2008 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
While I know that its not a popular stance:
This is why Dana White and the UFC only deal with exclusive contracts
by KMac on Jun 16, 2008 9:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The UFC’s exclusive contracts may deny the fans of a few desired fights, but they are smart business.
by chefdaddy on Jun 17, 2008 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was stupid of Fickett. Does he not want to better himself?
by c-war on Jun 16, 2008 9:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
mexicutioner we understand you hate elite xc so leave it alone and talk about something else there are plenty of other mma topics you can comment on so please stop being a 2 year old and grow up
by jimmy v on Jun 16, 2008 9:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ok, dad. Do I still get dessert?
by the_mexicutioner on Jun 16, 2008 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah its called a punch in the face, you fat f*ck
by The Killer on Jun 17, 2008 2:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would way rather see the Goat and Jake fight. That would be awesome. Good news imo.
by El dirte on Jun 16, 2008 9:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
after this debacle i dont think any major org would sign fickett
by crazyclyde on Jun 16, 2008 10:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I doubt that, they would just make him exclusive to their fight org. so if he pulled the same shit he’d be in Randy Coutures position
by Smokes on Jun 17, 2008 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is an online petition that someone started to have disiplinary action taken against Dan ‘I Call Them Like Nobody Else See’s Em’ Miragliotta. Here is the link:
by the_mexicutioner on Jun 16, 2008 10:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
great petition! I signed it…Dan’s gotta go!
by matthew on Jun 16, 2008 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
online petitions are never taken seriously, they are just a waste of time.
by kitsunex on Jun 17, 2008 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wasn’t Fickett the 1 who got all crazy saying sh*t like he’s going to kill Jake? yeaaaaaaa riiiiiiighht. that guy is on crack. lol. can’t wait to hear his side of things.
by kama kaze on Jun 16, 2008 10:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
maybe this was fickets way to get out of elites contract, if they have one, maybe he smarter than you all give him credit
by Rusty on Jun 16, 2008 10:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Are people so quick to forget that Shields pulled the same thing on Fickett, cancelling the fight at last minute for a questionable minor injury?
Saying Fickett is afraid of Shields is retarded. He’s fought equal to or better fighters than Shields, and Shields is the one who ducked out of the first fight.
Maybe Fickett got injured, didn’t want to risk losing the title shot so he called it off, but due to Shields pulling out the first fight and this second fight it’s been a long time since he’s gotten paid, so he took a gimme fight payday. It’s hardly as weird as the ignorant author of this article is making it out to be.
by Nouvelle on Jun 17, 2008 12:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well put, what was the injury Shields withdrew because of?
by Smokes on Jun 17, 2008 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe the dude actually was being smart and realised being the champ there means about as much as money does to gary shaw
by randy murders on Jun 17, 2008 12:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That doesn’t make sense at all. Money means the world to Gary Shaw so if you look at your comparision that would mean being the Champ would mean the world to Drew? lol so he backed out?
by Smokes on Jun 17, 2008 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it obviously isn’t the world to him if he’s willing to pay cans big money
by randy murders on Jun 17, 2008 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fickett is being very unprofessional with this whole ordeal. Its just so disrespectful to Jake Shields. An injury is one thing, but to fight a fish a week before the scheduled fight that you pulled out of, kind of shows his character. I use to be a Fickett fan, but now i think hes classless.
by The Killer on Jun 17, 2008 12:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
As a Fickett fan I’m somewhat disappointed, not in him, but just that the fight is not happening.
Hopefully he has some plan to fight in Dream or UFC or Affliction, or it’s some kind of crazy promotional tactic to draw attention to himself.
Affliction could use some people who aren’t heavyweights.
by DirtyML on Jun 17, 2008 5:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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