Elite XC makes 'Unfinished Business' official for CBS on July 26 (Update)
by James Iannotti on Jun 25, 2008 7:52 PM EDT
28 comments
We all knew it was coming, but today Elite XC officially announced its second installment of "Saturday Night Fights" on CBS -- "Unfinished Business" is set to take place at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, Calif., on Saturday, July 26.
In addition, as earlier reported the promotion will indeed split the event into a co-telecast between CBS and Showtime. Therefore, Showtime will air three high profile fights from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m ET, culminating with the first ever Elite XC heavyweight championship title bout between Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva and an unnamed opponent.
When pressed for the possible challenger, Elite XC officials would not budge on Silva's potential opponent at this time. However, International Fight League (IFL) champ Roy "Big Country" Nelson and Dave "Pee Wee" Herman have both been mentioned in the past couple weeks as possibilities.
Update: Sherdog.com is reporting that Segei Kharitonov is the possible opponent lined up for Silva. Stay tuned for more details.
In addition, 145-pound standout and Brazilian jiu-jitsu stud Wilson Reis is also rumored to be a part of the Showtime portion of the event.
The main card that will air on network television (CBS) will feature the Elite XC middleweight title rematch between champion, "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler, and challenger, Scott "Hands of Steel" Smith, as the main event. There is indeed plenty of unfinished business between the two after an all out war was prematurely stopped on the first CBS event because of an inadvertent thumb to Smith's eye.
CBS will air three other fights during its two-hour portion of the co-telecast, running from 9:00 p.m through 11:00 p.m. Two of those three fights have been confirmed, including the inaugural Elite XC welterweight title fight between Jake Shields and Nick "The Goat" Thompson, as well as a lightweight showdown between hometown fighter Nick Diaz and Thomas "Wildman" Denny.
The other fight rumored to be aired on CBS is a womens match that will decide Gina Carano's opponent for the company's first womens championship in October. That fight is believed to be between Shayna Baszler and Kelly Kobald.
Seven fights in all, including three title fights, will be on display via Showtime and CBS in Stockton, Calif., on July 26. There were mixed reviews for the first "SNF" event, but the ratings told a different story. It will be interesting to see how Elite XC does with its second bite at the primetime apple.
We'll keep you posted as more news is revealed involving this event.
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this may actually be a half decent event, no kimbo in sight.
by Macho Bullshit on Jun 25, 2008 7:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
damn stright!-Ro-j
kimbo is just another fighter.
shaw is the goof messing everything up.
i am glad pro-elite sold elitexc to cbs cause cbs is just about to fire that prick.
by ~Stinky~fingers~ on Jun 26, 2008 5:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sergei Kharitonov vs. Big Foot? That could be one of the most appealing fights IMO in the History of EliteXC. They really need to find big foot some decent competition, and Sergie would sure fit that bill!
This will probably be te best card on the history of EliteXC. there is no need to have Diaz fight some can! Let Diaz go to Japan to fight Mach. This card will be just fine without him
Also, the State Athetic Commision, needs to step up and not let CBS run them. Last event had CBS influence written al over it, which is a TRAVESTY! the athetic commision MUST be Independant and run things their way, instead of according to how CBS wants it to run!
by John on Jun 26, 2008 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No. Kimbo is not the problem. Give me a good reason why kimbo is the problem? gary shaws exploitation…maybe. Kimbo has worked hard and not disrespected the sport or a fighter since joining MMA. You guys are truly ignorant if you can honestly point the blame on a guy simply because he found fame on youtube.
by blah on Jun 25, 2008 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really want to see how the ratings for this event will be compared to the last. I’m hoping that the ratings will be higher than before which would signal a real victory for MMA.
I cant wait for the day when there is an MMA event on average once a week. I’m sure in the next decade this will come to pass. As long as there is a demand someone will supply. And a continued growth in the ratings would clearly indicate a mass public interest in the sport and what most of us on this site already know;
MMA is the next big thing!!!
by Holdin_Ropes on Jun 25, 2008 8:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i’m pretty upset they turned it into a freaking co-telecast!!! people that don’t have showtime (me being one of them) can’t see the rest of the card.
still…i get to see jake shields take it to the wild man.
by killswitch on Jun 25, 2008 8:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Should be a great card if they can get Big foot vs Big Country.
by Khaos_WArrior on Jun 25, 2008 9:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I like the card, 9They better bring better Ref’s and Doc’s). I think they will redeam them-selves. I am not as upset as some about missing a few fights, there are still so fights I get to see for free!!! I think there should be live shows weekly like the WWE (except REAL fights). Lower level guys that need to make $5,000., maybe $10,000.. Give them all fights, entertain the fans ALL THE TIME!!! ==== $$$$$$
by iagoof22 on Jun 25, 2008 9:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Three (actually good) titles matches plus nick diaz and reis would be a pretty great night.
by El dirte on Jun 25, 2008 9:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This card appears to be the equivalent of a UFN.
by Muscle Dolphin on Jun 25, 2008 9:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought Scott Smith broke his foot in the last fight. I may be wrong, but if not, that seems like no time to train after his foot heals.
by Djs3467 on Jun 25, 2008 10:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No I saw an interview with him the next day and he said the foot was fine it was not broken. I can’t remember what it was he said was wrong but it wasn’t a big deal.
by GSP4Prez on Jun 25, 2008 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think he just sprained it and it swelled severely either way i gotta think training wont matter to much for cardio someones gonna get knocked out and probably fast
by randy murders on Jun 25, 2008 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You would think with a title like “Unfinished Business” they would try to finish their biggest business, like, say, oh I don’t know…….maybe Diaz vs. Noons.
by chefdaddy on Jun 25, 2008 10:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
that fight hasnt reached its “creshendo” yet. lol!
by b.w on Jun 26, 2008 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How can anyone look down on Gary Shaw for signing Kimbo and hyping him up? It brought a lot of attention to EliteXC/MMA, which I’m sure was the bottom line. Gary Shaw is no rookie at promoting.
by fallstowntx on Jun 26, 2008 12:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I hope everybody watches this, we need to support EliteXC because in the end of the day, it is good for MMA regardless. I kind of wish they’d fill in more fights though, two hours for 3 fights? Seems like they’ll have a LOT of commercials…
by linx on Jun 26, 2008 6:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I met Wilson Reia at the NJ show. Just an awesome down to earth guy. After he was finished fighting he sat on the arena steps in our section and watched almost the whole televised card.
by Trsigley on Jun 26, 2008 7:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I love the fact that MMA is garnering network attention,but now it seems that just like in boxing the networks will decide who fights. Now there are rumors that CBS was trying to put together a fight between Kimbo(Mr Youtube)Slice and a ACTOR,YEP AN ACTOR named Raw Leiba,now i know Mr Leiba was a former regional Brazilian ju-jitsu champ and has a phenomenal physique but he’s NEVER EVER even fought an MMA match and is now a rising actor,CBS did this simply because Leiba’s physique and look would look good on TV and it would be an easy win for Slice.Fortunately for us and especially Mr Leiba he (Raw Leiba) reportedly turned it down. I beg the promoters and the people who run this sport we love to never let the networks dictate who fights.I know its all about money but lets not get ridiculous,please.
by Hollywood Insider on Jun 26, 2008 8:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I just heard in couch potato that big foot is fighting sergei! now that’s some sh*t!!! :?
by linx on Jun 26, 2008 11:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Screw EliteXC.
The Diaz fiasco is exactly why cross-promotion is not widespread. It’s hard to meet in the middle, especially when there are millions of dollars on the line.
by Pat on Jun 26, 2008 12:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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