Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva vs Justin Eilers Elite XC fight for heavyweight title
by James Iannotti on Jun 30, 2008 5:26 PM EDT
76 comments
After weeks of speculation over who would be Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva's (10-1) opponent in the battle for the first-ever Elite XC heavyweight championship, the mixed martial arts promotion has finally announced Justin Eilers (19-6-1) as its man, according to FiveOuncesOfPain.com.
Eilers is probably most known among the casual fans for his three straight losses over a year's span in the UFC. From February 2005 to February 2006 he dropped three fights -- each by first round technical knockout -- to Paul Buentello, Andrei Arlovski and Brandon Vera, respectively.
However, Eilers is on a very impressive streak as of late, having won 10 of his past 11fights with the lone loss a decision to the hard-hitting Pedro Rizzo last March at The Art of War 1. It seems as though he's targeted and fixed whatever holes in his game were leading to those knockout losses, and he's once again ready for the big stage.
Apparently Elite XC thinks so, anyway, deeming his resume solid enough to compete for its heavyweight gold.
It won't be an easy task for Eilers, however.
In fact, it will be a "giant" one -- 6'4" 265-pound Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva has long been touted by Elite XC Live Events President Gary Shaw as the "best heavyweight fighter in the world," and he was a lock for the company's first division title bout.
Coming off a less than impressive split decision victory over Ricco Rodriguez in February, "Bigfoot" is eager to show the fans a knee injury he sustained prior to that bout was a factor in his lack luster performance, and that he is in fact a much better fighter than he showed that night.
The Elite XC heavyweight division has been gaining depth lately and a title being introduced into the mix was long overdue. This should be a competitive bout, but one that is likely set up for Silva to win.
This fight is believed to be the main event of the Showtime portion of the co-telecast with CBS for the 'Unfinished Business' event on July 26 in Stockton, Calif. It will be the first of three scheduled title fights taking place on the evening, with Jake Shields and Nick Thompson fighting for the welterweight belt, as well as Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith re-matching for the middleweight strap.
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Weak.
I had heard Sergei Kharitonov was gonna whoop bigfoot for the title :(
by yohnstoppable on Jun 30, 2008 5:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is a joke! Eilers? Really? For the title? This is just crazy! Why even have a heavyweight title if u got nobody decent to challenge for it.
Silva will destroy Eilers on te ground, it wont even be close!
by john on Jun 30, 2008 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ye i heard sergei kharitonov aswell! would have been fun to see him kick big foots ass! eilers is a joke! he has been since he blew his knee against arlovski
by the heat on Jun 30, 2008 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Big Foot fighting Sergei Kharitonov was all message board rumor BS. Sergei would be a threat to Big Foot. Shaw wants Silva to hold the title and he wants to build up Kimbo SLice. Dream situation for him is one and half years down the road, having the two of them fight for the title.
Justin Eilers couln’t hang in the UFC, but he has actually been doing well for himself fighting in the smaller promotions as of late. After Silva’s last performance, I am interested to see if he runs right thru Eilers or if Justin will give him problems. I have a feeling that he will run right thru him.
by ViolentMike on Jul 1, 2008 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A fight that I would like to see, but probably wil never get to see is:
Bigfoot (antonio Silva) vs. Sasquatch (Gonzaga) That fight would be bad ass. Who do u think would win that fight?
by john on Jun 30, 2008 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is Scumbag Shaw at his finest. Got an undefeated internet sensation? Throw him in with a guy who falls over in a stiff wind (and still should have won the fight). Got a HW that you’re touting as the best in the world? Throw him in with a guy who got tossed out of the UFC’s weakest division.
by PW on Jun 30, 2008 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
how many times do you think they will refer to eilers as “former ufc fighter justin eilers”. i say at least 100 times!
by b.w on Jun 30, 2008 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I saw Eilers a year or two ago in CO at a local promotion, he was supposed to fight Pat Smith but Smith dropped out cause of some legal issue and Eilers almost got GnP’d by a short stubby fat guy alternate, i’m not impressed…
by O damn he got caught on Jul 1, 2008 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I got some UFC 88 (Atlanta) news for you guys:
Matt Hamil vs. TBA
Rich Franklin vs. TBA
Rich is still deciding if he will fight at 185 lbs or 205 lbs. I have a feeling he will fight at 205 lbs. in Atlanta If he does decide to fight at 205, who knows we may see:
Franklin vs. Hamil, but there is no evidence to support this, I am just speculating!
by john on Jun 30, 2008 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jens Pulver eying october return against Nogueira:
“Pulver says he will be ready to fight again in October, and while he’s quick with the obligatory “I’ll fight anybody they put in front of me,” he has an opponent in mind. He believes a match-up against Alexandre Franca Nogueira makes sense for both fighters.
“He’s been in a lot of wars and has been around for a long time,” Pulver said. “He’s still a top fighter, and with both of us coming off losses, it’s a perfect fight for one of us to get right back up there in the division and one of us becomes a journeyman.”
by john on Jun 30, 2008 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Franklin moving up to 205? WTF He didn’t run away from Anderson Silva. Now Anderson is competing at 205. I think Franklin is ducking Hendo because he wants to be considered the best American MW to all the UFC only fans. But all the MMA fans know that Hendo is the best American MW.
by ViolentMike on Jul 1, 2008 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope Hendo chases his bitch ass up to 205! They need to fight each other. I dont know WTF is wrong with Joe Silva for not booking this fight already, either at 205 or 185, we all know Hendo doesnt care…Franklin needs to step up and fight Hendo!
by john on Jul 1, 2008 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yea but then whoever wins has to fight silva… it’s just creating this perpetual knockout/submission cycle of evil..
by O damn he got caught on Jul 1, 2008 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
MMA BECOMES LEGAL IN TENNESEE TOMMORROW PER AOL FUNHOUSE! SCREW DELAWARE!
by b.w on Jun 30, 2008 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heh, I like how Elite XC’s title shots are UFC flops.
This guy was a huge flop in UFC’s worse division.
I wish the newest TUF was doing HW’s to help populate it instead of LHW and LW, the two most stacked divisions in the UFC.
by ShaiZ on Jun 30, 2008 5:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I keep asking myself that… why LW?? At least someone in LHW could MAYBE drop to MW. But still, i don´t see the added benefit.
I remember once in an interview Dana said that if he could find 16 REAL heavyweights out there (real as not only in talent but more importantly weight… no 220-230 guys i think he meant) then he would do it in a heartbeat.
Either way, I’m sure he could find at least 8… i mean come on… who, as a fresh fighter wouldn’t jump on this!!
by chris on Jun 30, 2008 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That makes sense.
I was wondering if they were having trouble finding HW fighters.
The HW’s are not as common and they always ask 5x the money of everyone else if more then 10 people know thier name.
by ShaiZ on Jun 30, 2008 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
will some tell shaw that fedor is a heavy weight and so is rand and andre and josh barnet? they brought justin into loose insted of taking a chance of having “the worlds best hw fighter” loosing. boy that’ll realy prove how great bigfoot is might as welll have him fight kimbo. grrrrr this article make me mad! me smash! oh no my key board!!!
by doomdoom on Jun 30, 2008 5:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree! like, COME ON! U might as well throw me in the ring with Big foot! I have as good of a chance at beating him than Eilers does! lol
This sucks for mma. All the non fans, will tune in see a heavyweight title fight, and think that these 2 are some HEavyweight mma gods, fighting for the titlle, when in reality, Eilers is a bum. I like BigFoot, but I am not sure if I wouuld rank him in thetop 10
by john on Jun 30, 2008 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve got 20 bucks on john against Eilers! any takers? sorry but odds on big foot not so good john him might start swinging his chin at ya.
by doomdoom on Jun 30, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol
Pediction: John via tickling his big feet until he cant take it anymore and he taps.
by john on Jul 1, 2008 7:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL at Justin Eliers. Good thing he doesn’t have any teeth because they would have got knocked out anyways. What a BS match up.
by BNF on Jun 30, 2008 5:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hey BNF, I just read your post on the Forrest/Rampage thread. It’s some funny stuff. I think I’ll take your suggestion on Automation. I might have party’d too hard this weekend, and havent been on the sight too much.
Automation, I still game lets confirm the bet. Forrest is going to choke Rampage out!!!
by JV on Jun 30, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pretty good right… I told you I would help you out. Forrest has to win!!!
by BNF on Jun 30, 2008 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well for both our sakes let’s hope Forrest chokes his a$$ out!!!!!!!!!! Oh and yea I appreciate the help. Automation might be alittle nervous now.
by JV on Jun 30, 2008 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Large heads mean you can take bigger punches than the average sized headed fellows
by ViolentMike on Jul 1, 2008 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hm.. go figure a lesser non Elite XC exclusive fighter fighting a top notch Elite XC guy.
hm.. go figure a lesser non Elite XC exclusive fighter fighting a top notch Elite XC guy.Roy Nelson would of been a better choice than Justin along with many other Heavyweight Fighters.
by "Mr. NC-17" on Jun 30, 2008 5:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Eliers will probably tko himself on his way down to the ring. Weak!
by sbud on Jun 30, 2008 6:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bigfoot is very talented. If he gets the proper competition he would be able to show that and maybe even get offered a UFC contract in the future.
by Cristiano from Brazil on Jun 30, 2008 6:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is just more of the ELITE XC hype train, they have like 4 good fighters and the rest are UFC drop outs or just plain old garbage….I love it how the article tries to hype up Eliers! He’s been on a tear lately and has won 10 of his last 11…yeah cause he has been fighting losers! WAKE UP! He sucks!
Elite XC has Diaz,Sheilds,Noons,Bigfoot and Lawer….other than that its a crap league!
by WarriorCenter on Jun 30, 2008 6:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Joey Villasenor should have made your list. But thats just my opinion.
by JV on Jun 30, 2008 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whoaaaa! Slow down there. THey have other solid fighters like:
Eddie Alvarez (top 10 in anyone’s book)
Ninja is starting to look like his old, ultra exciting self
Joey Villasenyor
The Great Kimbo Slice…lol
OK, I see your point! lol
by john on Jul 1, 2008 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see him making it to affliction before the ufc.
by doomdoom on Jun 30, 2008 6:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree. That’s because affliction is making big investments to lure quality fighters away from the ufc. Which is going to hurt them in the long run. I’m still watching their ppv but once they see # of ppvs vs. Fedor purse=bankrupt they’re going to have to change there stratagy.
by Kenton on Jun 30, 2008 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Honestly, I would be surprised to see more than three Affliction events…
by chris on Jun 30, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it’ll be crazy awesome if they stay around just seems very unlikely… but the again flying heel hook by chonan on anderson so maybe affliction will stay around….. what i’m trying to say is we just need to go to the pound and pick up a new jazz man.
by doomdoom on Jun 30, 2008 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i would be happy with 3 events. almost like a 3 rnd gpx for the hws. the 1rst event is about 3 weeks out and i still havent seen any tv ads for this or much promotion at all. the ufn 19 already has ads on spike and espn. affliction/adrneline needs to get the lead out. remember adreneline has big tim and rothwell under their banner and under contract so they are a big player in this as well.
by b.w on Jun 30, 2008 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yea i saw that ad too i noticed how they said “on july 19th you wont have to order pay per veiw to watch the best fighter in the world” funny thing is i’m sure most people have no idea yet there is a ppv that night yet.
by doomdoom on Jun 30, 2008 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did Dana book Anderson to fight on the 19th so he can advertise him as the best fighter on the planet because Fedor is fighting that night as well. Of course Dana was going to put on an event for free, but he his featuring his top fighter.
Right now Anderson Silva is on top of the world. However, if Fedor crushes Tim Sylvia, Fedor will gain almost all of his hype back.
by ViolentMike on Jul 1, 2008 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eilers got worked over hard by Rizzo, wasnt even close.
Only reason he didnt get knocked out was because he got saved by the bell.
Anytime he takes a step up in competition he gets dominated. Way to keep up the “competitive” match ups EliteXC
by Jason on Jun 30, 2008 7:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
His nickname should be, “Cranium Mandibular”, “Cro-Mag” or “Father of Tito”.
by KS on Jun 30, 2008 7:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
how about kimbo. kimbo’s gotta fight someone good sooner or later, might as well be bigfoot to expose kimbo as to some no-name. who’s worse kimbo or eilers? any takers!
by b.w on Jun 30, 2008 7:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
eilers if i had to pick, not by much though. both shitty
by medecineballs on Jun 30, 2008 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Big Foot vs. Travis Fulton
Big Foot vs. Dan Severn
Big Foot vs. Bob Sapp
Big Foot vs. Hong Man Choi even.
Just not Eilers.
by Nokimono on Jun 30, 2008 8:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
you forgot butterbean and don frye. where’s cabbage when you need him. lol!
by b.w on Jun 30, 2008 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn I thought Tito had a big head…
by Jesse Holland on Jun 30, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hell, Big Foot looks kinda deformed from his head.
by JV on Jun 30, 2008 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and imagine what shaw would do what a ufc drop out as their champ
by mr.rice-a-roni on Jun 30, 2008 10:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
bigfoot is underrated, and the reason that shaw declared him the best hw in the world bc he’s the best at the hw in elitexc…. let him fight one of the big boys in the ufc and see what happens…
by mr.rice-a-roni on Jun 30, 2008 10:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He is still pretty raw. He has the tools to be one of the greatest of all time.
by ViolentMike on Jul 1, 2008 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i said underrated because hes good, but he hasnt fight fighters his level
by mr.rice-a-roni on Jun 30, 2008 10:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
there will be few and far between of match-ups that real mma fans want to see out of elite!
by NYMIKE on Jun 30, 2008 11:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
MMAMANIA!!!!!! PLEASE HELP? WHY DO NONE OF MY POSTS MAKE IT ON THE SCREEN?
by NYMIKE on Jun 30, 2008 11:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I know it’s way off topic but I was trying to figure out some fights that can happen sooner rather than later. Let me know what you think
Franklin vs Kampmann……………Bonnar vs Hamill
Carwin vs Coleman………………Day vs McFedries
Hazelett vs Swick………………Hyun Kim vs Davis
Grove vs Leites………………..Wand vs Sokoudjou
Thiago vs Lyoto………………..Banha vs Goran
Marquadt vs Lister……………..Sherk vs Clementi
Gouveia vs Jardine 2……………Maynard vs Pellegrino
by Cristiano from Brazil on Jun 30, 2008 11:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
these are all excellent match-ups imo and there is no reason why they shouldnt happen, except joe silva sucks!
by b.w on Jul 1, 2008 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
marquardt beat lister recently!
excellent match ups man but with injuries you get training if they were st up about 20-30% would have to be cancelled
still we can fantasise
what about
cheick kongo vs shane carwin
fabricio werdum vs sergei kharitonov number 2
sergei would be a great addition.
a fit shogun vs brandon vera
by the heat on Jul 1, 2008 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, rich and kampmann were supposed to fight last year at ufc ireland, but kampann blew his knee out. injuries suck but they happen.
by b.w on Jul 1, 2008 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
jeff monson was begging gary shaw to sign him! monson would be a semi legit addition to elite xc
by the heat on Jul 1, 2008 12:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Cheick kongo vs shane carwin would be great. we could put velasquez in against coleman. kharitonov would be great. the ufc needs some HW right now
by Cristiano from Brazil on Jul 1, 2008 2:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hey guys, what about Kimbo Slice vs Bob Sapp. Can you imagine a worst main event? hahahahahahahahahahahah
by Cristiano from Brazil on Jul 1, 2008 2:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hey guys, what about Kimbo Slice vs Bob Sapp. Can you imagine a worst main event? hahahahahahahahahahahah
by Cristiano from Brazil on Jul 1, 2008 2:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i was not impressed with silva against rodriguez, i got a feeling he wins, but it’ll be by decision…
by Dubyac on Jul 1, 2008 9:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
When I heard the Elite was going to bring in Sergei Kharitonov I was happy that they were going to give Big Foot a real fight and I was hoping that they were going to stop this trend of feeding there top fights nothing but Cans but now I see I wrong. I don’t understand why they would make this fight it serves no purpose at all. I really don’t feel like hearing Mario Ronaldo,Bill Goldberg and Stephen Quadros talking all night trying to build up Justin Eilers as a top ranked Heavy weight. I can see it now Mario telling every one on the broadcast how great and dangerous Eilers is. Thas’s the crap they have to stop right there, These kinds of fights are suck a dam joke it only makes me hate Elite Xc that much more. All they do is thorw cans and fighters 20 years past there primes at there top fighters. I can’t tell you how pissed I was to hear the Sergei Kharitonov was passed up for Justin Eilers of all people !!! UNREAL this is why Elite XC will never make it !!!!!!!
by Eric Van Tassel on Jul 5, 2008 12:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is just bull this fight is a prime example why Elite Xc will never make it. Lets feed all our top fighters cans and 20 year past there prime fighters and make it act like they are top ranked compatition. UNREAL I can’t tell you how pissed I am that they will not put Big foot up against Sergei Kharitonov !!!!
by Eric Van Tassel on Jul 5, 2008 12:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Y’all need credentials to comment. Those who DO NOT have no right to critique those who DO.
by LB on Jul 22, 2008 6:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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