Can Elite XC management be prosecuted for this?
By Zach Arnold | October 6, 2008
As in, trying to allegedly alter or fix a fight? Let’s go to the audio! Here’s Seth Petruzelli in his own words:
SP: Not really, but I train with lots of undefeated pro boxers, a couple guys have a belt, and my style kinda throws them off a bit, I have kind of an awkward style. So, I knew I would do alright standing up with him. THE PROMOTERS KINDA HINTED TO ME, AND THEY GAVE ME THE MONEY TO STAND AND TRADE WITH HIM. THEY DIDN’T WANT ME TO TAKE HIM DOWN. LETS JUST PUT IT THAT WAY.
M: Ahhh.. ok.
SP: It was worth my while to try and stand up and punch with him.”
Steve Cofield has more details on this debacle.
Now, Petruzelli is apparently trying to back off of his previous comments. This needs to be investigated by the authorities. There’s plenty of past investigations into boxing fights for bribery and conspiracy of bribery. These are federal offenses under U.S. law. I know for a fact that we have state athletic commission bosses who read this site, so I would be very curious to see what their reaction would be to this situation involving Elite XC.
This is not something that should be swept under the rug. When it comes to corruption (whether it be fight fixing, mafia financial backing, falsified medical records, drug abuse) in this industry, it needs to be eliminated. Period. No excuses. This is not Japan where it is the wild west in terms of lawlessness amongst various promoters. If you fix fights marketed as legitimate contests on American soil, you can and should go to jail.
There are several prominent members of the MMA media who are based out of Florida (including MMA Mania). I suspect that the Florida State Athletic Commission might actually be open to taking some calls from their Florida constituents on this matter. It is election season, after all.
Bloody Elbow: Fans must demand an investigation of Elite XC
We can all roll our eyes and act like it’s typical scummy behavior, and just let it slide, but that will just ensure more of it in the future. Only fans can make sure it does not happen again.
Jared Barnes (Houston Chronicle): EliteXC bribed Petruzelli not to take Kimbo to the ground
Topics: Media, MMA, Pro Elite, Zach Arnold | 28 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Andrei Arlovski’s stock as an MMA prime-time player continues to take a hit
By Zach Arnold | October 6, 2008
When it was reported last month that only 700 tickets had been sold for Affliction’s October 11th scheduled event at the Thomas & Mack Center for Josh Barnett vs. Andrei Arlovski, I stated that I thought it was a blow to Arlovski’s image in terms of him being perceived as a marketable main event fighter. You can’t headline a building as big as Thomas & Mack and only sell 700 tickets. We knew Barnett would have trouble drawing because he’s not well-known in the States due to fighting mostly in Japan. Arlovski, on the other hand, was marketed for years by UFC and was involved in several key fights for the promotion.
When Affliction reportedly offered to pay the fight money for the Arlovski vs. Roy Nelson fight this past weekend on Elite XC’s CBS telecast, I thought it was a steal for EXC and because of the sheer amount of money that was reportedly paid to Arlovski if he won the fight (7-figures). Coming out of last Saturday’s fight, Arlovski made a ton of money, became a permanent ‘IFL killer’, and… managed to continue building a reputation that he isn’t as marketable to the masses as first thought.
From a report today by Dave Meltzer:
The disappointment of the night was Andrei Arlovski. The former UFC heavyweight champion’s fight with Roy Nelson, the last IFL heavyweight champ, lost 110,000 viewers from the Carano fight.
When this fight was booked at the last minute for the CBS show, everyone was glowing about what a huge addition this was to the fight card. In the end, it meant very little to casual fans.
Topics: Affliction, Media, MMA, Pro Elite, UFC, Zach Arnold | 9 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
“That fraudulent sport”
By Zach Arnold | October 6, 2008
A taste of what’s to come from the American sports media in regards to Kimbo Slice losing on CBS Saturday night. Jay Mariotti and Kevin Blackistone (a major boxing supporter and anti-MMA guy) were having fun ripping on MMA today on ESPN over the Kimbo situation. They both portrayed Kimbo Slice as the ‘face of MMA.’
Then, to open up Pardon the Interruption:
Tony Kornheiser: “and Kimbo Slice… possibly overrated?”
Michael Wilbon: “Ya think!”
Topics: Media, MMA, Pro Elite, Zach Arnold | 7 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Today’s media chalkboard (10/6/08)
By Zach Arnold | October 6, 2008
- The Los Angeles Times: Somewhere out there, Dana White is probably smiling
- The Baltimore Sun: The Kimbo saga is over
- Sports Illustrated (Josh Gross): Kimbo Slice overrated — the star that never was
- Darren Rovell (CNBC): Elite XC gets ‘sliced’
The problem is that mixed martial arts is not a viable business, just like professional football is not a viable business. The viable business is the UFC. The viable business is the NFL. It’s why the International Fight League didn’t make it. It’s why the XFL didn’t make it.
- Deadspin: Farewell, Kimbo Slice
- CBS Sports: Kimbo’s fall again demonstrates perils of MMA promotion
- Men’s Fitness: Hot women – Gina Carano
- TSN (Canada): UFC champion Georges St. Pierre joins CAA sports agency (this is a big deal — we often complain about fighters not having good-enough representation, so this is a big step-up for a fighter like St. Pierre)
- Sherdog: GSP snagged by CAA
- The Miami Herald: Supplement maker BSN wants to be “Gatorade of UFC”
- Rob Maysey: WAMMA: One King, One Crown, and Loads of Secrecy Part II
According to Asahi Shimbun, the 21-year old is expected to make the move from Judo to MMA. Ishii is very close to Naoya Ogawa, who made a lot of money in both pro-wrestling and MMA.
Topics: Japan, Media, MMA, Pro Elite, UFC, Zach Arnold | 1 Comment » | Permalink | Trackback |
The words “conflict of interest” come to mind
By Zach Arnold | October 6, 2008
Could you imagine the uproar in mainstream media circles if it was found out that a sports agent like Scott Boras owned a sports media web site (like a Yahoo or SI) that purported to give news and information about athletes, including a lot of his own clients? Boras would be getting killed for this right about now. Instead, in MMA media circles, you get praised for being a sugar daddy. I can already see the line of defense coming here… “Well, the NFL has NFL.com and the NFL Network! The NBA has NBA TV!” Yes, and you don’t think those outlets haven’t gotten scrutiny for their ownership?
Of course, none of this will mean a damn thing to MMA fans online. Nonetheless, at least I’m comfortable knowing where Luke Thomas, Michael David Smith, and many others are coming from. I know what their deal is and what they represent.
Topics: Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 1 Comment » | Permalink | Trackback |
Elite XC’s FSN/Comcast Sportsnet TV deal
By Zach Arnold | October 5, 2008
I’m watching their show right now featuring Cage Rage footage with Anderson Silva fighting. Other than perhaps a rights fee, what is the point of this FSN TV show for Elite XC?
Topics: Media, MMA, Pro Elite, Zach Arnold | 9 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Just another day in the Japanese combat sports world
By Zach Arnold | October 5, 2008
First, Asashoryu denied allegations of match-fixing in Sumo in Tokyo District Court.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on Satoshi Ishii after he skipped participation in a team Judo competition at Tokyo Budokan (not to be mistaken with Nippon Budokan). The explanation is injury. Media reports continue to swirl about whether or not Ishii will fight in an MMA bout on NYE.
Topics: Japan, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 3 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Headline of the Day – Kimbo Slice
By Zach Arnold | October 5, 2008
“Kimbo exposed as farce” has been the screaming headline on Yahoo’s main page all day long. The author of the article is Dan Wetzel, not exactly a rocket scientist when it comes to MMA coverage. Dave Meltzer he is not.
Just think — Wetzel gets paid to cover and write on MMA occasionally and you don’t.
Adam Swift presents his own burial of Elite XC.
Topics: Media, MMA, Pro Elite, Zach Arnold | 7 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Report: Elite XC 10/4 CBS show drew same ratings as May event
By Zach Arnold | October 5, 2008
The good news? Ratings are back up. The bad news? It’s clear that the ratings are all contingent upon Kimbo Slice, with the only excuse available being that Gina Carano fought on both cards. Of course, they didn’t push her fights as the main events, either.
The ugly news? CBS nearly finished in last place to Law & Order re-runs on NBC.
Update: A CBS network executive comments on the ratings.
Topics: Media, MMA, Pro Elite, Zach Arnold | 17 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Media headlines coming out of EXC Florida event
By Zach Arnold | October 4, 2008
Every major sports site online tonight you visit (Google News, ESPN, etc.), the headline of Seth Petruzelli beating Kimbo Slice is being mentioned prominently. Unfortunately for Petruzelli, most of the major sports sites are refusing to use his name in the headline and instead are going with generic headlines like “replacement quickly KOs Kimbo,” “Kimbo Slice TKO’d by fill-in EXC fighter,” “fill-in Petruzelli gets 14-second TKO over Slice,” “Slice cut down by fill-in in opening seconds,” “Slice loses by TKO to a fill-in,” “Smoothie King KO’s Kimbo Slice in 14 seconds,” “Kimbo Slice gets knocked out,” and so on.
The reported crowd, BTW, for the EXC show in Sunrise, Florida was 7,400. (Other reports claim 9,414.) That’s a mediocre attendance number for a show that had such a promotable and marketable fight like Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock.
In a radio interview late Saturday night, Dave Meltzer reported that his bosses at Yahoo indicated that Yahoo’s coverage of the Kimbo Slice fight received similar numbers to their coverage of when Michael Phelps won his gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. (In other words, this is a very high benchmark.) Meltzer also noted that backstage after the Kimbo Slice debacle, there were people asking if there were openings for jobs at various boxing promotion companies. Regarding the internal reaction to Seth Petruzelli beating Kimbo Slice, “I just saw people that looked like they had tears in their eyes trying to say that this was the greatest thing that ever happened.” Other interview notes: Meltzer claimed that Ken and Frank Shamrock were going to have a verbal altercation on-air for the CBS telecast, but that it got canceled at the last-minute. There is a split in booking philosophy in the company as far as those on the pro-wrestling marketing side of the equation versus the play-it-straight-up side. Hector Lombard will make his EXC debut on November 8th in Reno against Scott Smith.
Other headlines:
- Franklin McNeil (ESPN): Petruzelli cuts through Slice in less than a round
- Denny Burkholder (CBS Sports): This was bad for business
- The South Florida Sun-Sentinel: MMA legend Bas Rutten has faith in Kimbo Slice
Topics: Media, MMA, Pro Elite, Zach Arnold | 9 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
The meltdown of Kimbo Slice and Elite XC
By Zach Arnold | October 4, 2008
It managed to meltdown our server. Per usual for this web hosting company.
Seth Petruzelli destroyed him in 11 seconds. Now, the question on my mind — could Ken Shamrock actually have beaten Kimbo Slice in a stand-up fight? I’m actually curious about this!
There is a Tyson feel to Kimbo as he came out, Kimbo threw a haymaker and slipped and Petruzelli just beat the shit out of him in 14 seconds. It was like Kimbo became Ken Shamrock. Kimbo tried to bodyslam the ref for stopping it. What an end to a crazy night. I don’t know how this can be viewed by anyone as a positive.
Petruzelli throws two quick teeps looking to keep a rushing Slice away from him. As Kimbo closes in, Petruzelli lands an awkward short right that drops Slice to the mat. As Kimbo makes it to his knees, Petruzelli attacks with a volley of hammerfists, and pushes Kimbo onto his back. Petruzelli doesn’t pause with his punches, and continues smashing away with a barrage of right hands until Troy Waugh rescues the prone Slice just 14 seconds into the first round.
Kimbo refuses to touch gloves at the ref instructions. SLICE IS HURT! 10 SECONDS AND IT’S DONE! OH MY GOD! WOW! KIMBO WAS SHOOTING ON THE REF A GOOD 10 SECONDS LATER HE WAS SO HURT! Seth stunned him and then dropped BOMBS once Kimbo went down. Seth Petruzelli wins by KO (Punches) Round 1 (10 seconds). Front kick, right hand. The right dropped Kimbo and then Seth pounded him out with right hand after right hand. Seth is making excuses for Kimbo. Kimbo, to his credit, does not make excuses. He just says show the fighters some love, the after party is still on…and then leaves mid interview.
STAR RATING:(****-) The absolute shocking nature of that TKO is going to go down as a great moment for EliteXC. It was last minute for both guys, but Seth stepped up a to fight a guy at a higher weight level and he dropped him quickly. Kimbo’s only m.o. was his stand up, and by getting taken out like that, EliteXC has no more excuse for jamming him down our throats as a superstar.
This is pretty bad fucking news for EliteXC and Kimbo … he just got taken out by a light heavyweight, and a mediocre one at that. He was dropped by a short pop to the face. It was right at the beginning of the fight. Kimbo didn’t even get one shot off. Fuck. I honestly can’t think of a single way that this fight could have gone more wrong. At least Ken Shamrock has a name and a legacy that can soften a loss. But Kimbo Slice just got Buzz Berry’d. The mystique is officially toast. That sound you’re hearing? That’s the sound of everyone getting off Kimbo’s bandwagon.
Yahoo Sports: Kimbo TKOd by no-name in 14 seconds
Seth Petruzelli came to the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla, with little fanfare and almost no chance to make any kind of impression on anyone aside from the thousands in the arena who would watch his scheduled undercard match before the bright lights of the CBS broadcast camera went live.
By the time he left, millions knew his name.
Michael David Smith at AOL Fanhouse:
But the reality is that it’s not all good at all, not for Kimbo and not for EliteXC. We were told that Kimbo was the baddest man on the streets, but in reality he was nothing but a paper tiger. Petruzelli is a mediocre light heavyweight, and he made Kimbo look like a wimp.
CBS announcer Gus Johnson said of Kimbo afterward, “We don’t know what’s next for him.” But the truth is, we do know what’s next for him: He’ll slip into obscurity and his 15 minutes of fame will be forgotten.
While the announcers waffled somewhat on the significance of this loss for Kimbo, the reality is that he faced an experienced mixed martial artist who taught him a tough lesson in his 4th professional fight. Something Kimbo can grow from and something Seth Petruzelli can likely build on for a career with Elite XC.
Indeed, according to CBS, Slice accepted the fight less than an hour before the main card kicked off. It was a risky move against an experienced opponent, a decision that could be subjected to the same kind of criticism that Slice’s skills will undoubtedly face for the foreseeable future.
Petruzelli, for his part, called the fight a chance “to get his name back out there.” Considered by some to have been a prospect who failed to live up to his potential, Petruzelli made good on that opportunity by forever tying his name to a victory over one of the most popular fighters in MMA.
Prediction: Dana White offers Petruzelli (if he is a free agent) a six-figure UFC contract on Monday morning as a token of appreciation.
It took one short right and just 14 seconds to put an end to the MMA fallacy this Kimbo Slice and possibly an end to EliteXC’s run on CBS. Unofficially, referee Troy Waugh mounted a confused Kimbo handing him his second loss.
Wow, was that a jab that knocked him almost completely out? Yes, that’s exactly what it was. Slice is still a youngster in the sport as far as experience and technique go but he doesn’t have a lot going for him right now. He couldn’t knock out James Thompson, a man known for his weak chin, with his best shot. He had no answer for Thompson’s side control. And now he’s getting knocked silly by jabs? If there was ever any doubt that Brett Rogers would eat Kimbo Slice alive then they were answered today. The only questions left are those surrounding Kimbo and his inadequacies. I guess the silver lining is that he didn’t lose to Ken Shamrock?
However, what Elite XC did tonight was essentially network suicide. “The Silverback” — in replace of an aged and purposely overmatched Shamrock — went out and stopped Slice … the man that promotion had gone to great lengths to protect — in less than 30 seconds.
What the fuck … Petruzelli?
This is MMA where anything can and often does happen. However, it’s beyond me how a dude like Petruzelli is somehow promoted to a national stage on literally hours notice and then defeats a guy like Slice who has been portrayed as a posterboy for the sport.
So, there really isn’t much you can say about the Kimbo Slice vs Seth Petruzelli fight. It was over as soon as it started and EliteXC suffers what may be a near fatal blow for the promotion.
Wearing a black eye for what he claimed was the first time, Slice glanced at Petruzelli and smiled at the post-fight press conference.
“My family was here,” said the brawler, who has used his name to cash in on MMA better any fighter the sport has seen to this point. “You knocked me out in front of my family. That’s [expletive] up.”
Topics: Media, MMA, Pro Elite, Zach Arnold | 25 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
No more Ken vs. Kimbo…
By Zach Arnold | October 4, 2008
Consider this your post for EXC 10/4 Florida event coverage. Post all comments, links, reports here.
Or maybe the fight will happen… or not.
Frank Shamrock, all dressed to announce, is awaiting word as it is very possible he will face Slice. Slice’s people had not agreed to Seth Petruzelli as of a few minutes ago. Frank Shamrock is a different issue due to the weight difference and the fact Frank has not trained for the fight.
Now it’s Kimbo vs. Seth Petruzelli. If I was Kimbo’s manager and I had a choice between losing to Frank Shamrock or losing to Seth Petruzelli, I’m taking a loss to Frank any day of the week.
Then there is this:
The Petruzelli match was in doubt until the last minute, as according to several sources, Slice’s handlers demanded a considerable amount of extra money to agree to the new opponent.
Topics: Media, MMA, Pro Elite, Zach Arnold | 21 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
That nutritionist really paid off for Gina Carano
By Zach Arnold | October 3, 2008
Update: Denny Burkholder of CBS Sports has a report on the Carano weigh-in debacle. He further adds the following:
Suffice it to say, she looked absolutely terrible. I’d go so far as to say she looked sick. She clearly needs to either stop cutting to 140, or figure out a safer way to do it. It was a little uncomfortable watching Glen Carano, who had to watch his daughter strip nude in front of a room full of strangers, many of them hooting and whistling, while he held two towels up (one with his teeth) to try and protect her privacy.
Esther Lin further comments. Steve Cofield comments.
Topics: Media, MMA, Pro Elite, Zach Arnold | 20 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |