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MMA Junkie: Jeremy Lappen ‘excited’ about Elite XC’s future
By Zach Arnold | October 17, 2008
Unless I drop dead shortly, I have a strong feeling that Fight Opinion has a stronger future than whatever is in store for Elite XC.
In retrospect, Lappen said he also proud of both Petruzelli and Slice. While many fans and journalists have cried, “Foul,” over a possible bonus paid to Petruzelli to keep the fight standing, Lappen is proud of each of the fighters’ heart in stepping up on mere hours’ notice when original Slice opponent Ken Shamrock was forced off due to injury.
“We had a lot of difficulties with that show given the fact that we may have lost the main event a few hours before it started,” Lappen said. “And for Kimbo to step up, for Seth Petruzelli to step up, and for EliteXC to step up, I think a lot of organizations in that scenario would have protected their star and said, ‘Don’t fight. It’s too risky to go against somebody that you haven’t trained for.’ But everybody wanted to do it.
“We wanted to do it. We wanted to keep it for the fans, keep it for the television audience. We knew that although it was an unbelievably stacked card, that the fight was in Kimbo’s hometown. And those 8,000 fans had come and paid money to see Kimbo fight. Thankfully we were able to put it together and it was a great night.”
Topics: Media, MMA, Pro Elite, Zach Arnold | 6 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
8,000 fans? Didn’t Lappen claim right after the event that 9,414 attended? Yup, he did. So he lied through his teeth that night. The actual number was 7,701 according to the Florida Commission. So much for the sellout he was claiming that whole weekend.
MMA Junkie does a great job in so many ways, but they continue to fall flat on their faces when it comes to EliteXC.
Not only did they barely cover the Seth P scandal, but they also have became an unofficial cheerleader for the organization.
It reminds me of Sherdog and the IFL. The IFL had so much bad news behind it, but the only articles we got on Sherdog were glorified press releases.
I don’t put much energy into worrying what company people say about their product, but those Lappen quotes are hilarious. I was a bit depressed and had a headache this morning until I read that. After a few minutes of laughter, my eyes watered slightly, my breath deepened and my headache and depression went away. I feel great. Thanks Lappen.
Do we have another scandal on our hands with UFC 89? Lytle and Taylor apparent have gentleman’s agreement to try and get the fight of the night bonus, with even the announcers saying Lytle could easily make a takedown but is avoiding it in order to try and earn the bonus.
^^^
Nice point Leslie. Bonuses ALWAYS affect fights.
Also, what is with all the hate on EliteXC. I am looking forward to their Nov 8th card and their ShoXC cards are great.
[…] Jeremy Lappen was only saying days ago how ‘excited’ he was for Elite XC’s […]