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EliteXC's doom means good things for UFC

By: Matt Bishop Posted: 10/21/08 3:05pm

After what transpired during EliteXC’s Oct. 4 event, it seemed like the company was on its last legs.

Monday, that speculation turned into fact as several sources were reporting that the upstart company had informed employees and fighters that it was closing its doors immediately.

As a mixed martial arts fan, I’m saddened by this, especially since the promotion’s upcoming Nov. 8 card had so much promise. But it all boils down to the management of EliteXC being incompetent when it comes to promoting MMA and running a successful business.

It came out Tuesday that CBS had underwritten the Oct. 4 show and Showtime was prepared to do the same for the Nov. 8 show because ProElite simply did not have enough money to carry on.

It’s sad things had to go down this way and EliteXC had such shady business practices because when they tried, they had a really good product.

But in the wake of ProElite’s demise comes great things for the UFC, who will most likely at least get EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields into the fold quickly. Outside of Shields, quality fighters like Rafael Feijao, Dave Herman, Antonio Silva, Wilson Reis, Benji Radach and Robbie Lawler are now seemingly free agents.

At the very least, this should help Zuffa bolster both the UFC and WEC brands and make for some interesting fights.

Mainly, the UFC needs to bring in some of the heavyweight prospects EliteXC had. Guys like Herman, Silva and Brett Rogers are all talented guys who would add a spark to the heavyweight division.

And with EliteXC’s demise is another lesson for burgeoning mixed martial arts companies: Don’t try to compete with the UFC.

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Commentary:

Jason Van Dyke

10/22/08 1:45am

I think PRIDE has some great fighters, but I have to say that you are right. People who are very serious about their MMA – to the point where it’s something they want to do for a living – are all gunning to fight in the UFC. It’s where the best of the best go to fight.

The light heavyweight division sure is interesting these days. Silva, Evans, and Jardine are all possible contenders to give Griffin his first title defense fight. Silva has beaten Jardine, but lost to Liddell. Evans and Jardine have both beaten Liddell, but Jardine has lost to Silva. I would like to see Silva fight Evans next. The winner of that match deserves a title shot against Forrest.

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