EliteXC "Unfinished Business" on 7/26/08 Fight Card

[Grabaka]

EliteXC "Unfinished Business"
July 26, 2008
Stockton Arena, Stockton, CA


CBS Card:
-Robbie Lawler vs. Scott Smith
-Jake Shields vs. Nick Thompson
-Nick Diaz vs. Thomas Denny
-Shayna Baszler vs. Cristiane Cyborg
-David Douglas vs. Marlon Mathias (swing bout)

Showtime Card:
-Antonio Silva vs. Justin Eilers
-Brian Caraway vs. Wilson Reis
-Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante vs. Travis Galbraith

Undercard:
-Jeremy Freitag vs. Anthony Ruiz
-Mike Cook vs. Carl Seumanutafa
-Drew Montgomery vs. Brandon Tarn

[Boo]

Yep, figured this would have to be a rematch of Lawler/Smith just by the title.

[Grabaka]

^Yeah, this title has been used before by the UFC, but it makes sense here as well. I'm disappointed that we won't be seeing Diaz/Noons II on this card afterall. I guess Noons didn't want to defend his title on Diaz's home turf.

[Grabaka]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Kharitonov Eyes for ‘Bigfoot' at EliteXC
Thursday, June 26, 2008
by Loretta Hunt ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

Sergei Kharitonov (Pictures) could be the one.

Brazilian behemoth Antonio Silva has verbally agreed to face the stoic Russian boxer for the vacant heavyweight crown at EliteXC's July 26 "Saturday Night Fights" at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, Calif.

The bout is currently pending approval from the California State Athletic Commission, according to a rep from Silva's American Top Team.

If greenlighted, the featured bout will be televised live on Showtime beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT, a prelude to the promotion's sophomore effort on CBS later that evening.

Silva will face extra scrutiny to get cleared for active duty in the Golden State. The 6-foot-4, nearly 300-pound goliath was removed from a K-1 "Dynamite USA" roster over a year ago after pre-fight medical tests revealed a pituitary gland tumor in the 26-year-old's cranial region.

Under the commission's recommendation, "Pezao" underwent surgery last summer to remove the tumor.

Silva, who is known as "Bigfoot" in U.S. circles, has fought two times since. ATT's largest competitor submitted Jonathan Wiezorek (Pictures) in the first round at EliteXC "Renegade" last November in Corpus Christi, Texas, then pulled off a split decision victory over former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez (Pictures) at February's EliteXC "Certified" in Miami.

Kharitonov, an airborne trooper for Russia's Armed Forces, should prove a formidable foe for the 10-1 Brazilian. The 27-year-old Russian Top Team member has accumulated a 15-3 record, highlighted by his tenure with Pride Fighting Championships, with key victories against Brazilian kickboxer Pedro Rizzo (Pictures), K-1 king Semmy Schilt (Pictures), and UFC heavyweight contender Fabricio Werdum (Pictures).

A pugilist with world-class experience, Kharitonov holds his two most recent successes over American wrestler Michael Russow (Pictures) and hot-and-cold Dutch striker Alistair Overeem (Pictures), who Kharitonov pummeled to a referee stoppage at a K-1 Hero's event in September 2007. The pair originally met in February 2006 in Pride, where Overeem earned the first-round stoppage with brutal knees from side-control.

This card is already looking much better than the first CBS show.

[Boo]

^Yeah, this title has been used before by the UFC, but it makes sense here as well. I'm disappointed that we won't be seeing Diaz/Noons II on this card afterall. I guess Noons didn't want to defend his title on Diaz's home turf.

OMG, I just noticed that it's in Stockton.

I know what you mean, I half expected that fight to be on the card too.

[Grabaka]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

EliteXC’s V.P. says Silva vs. Kharitonov is “not happening”; clarifies other reports
June 26, 2008 By: Sam Caplan Category: EliteXC

EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw contacted FiveOuncesOfPain.com to correct several stories that have appeared on this site that have been attributed to other sources.

In response to a story that appeared on FightLine.com that claimed a fight between Kimbo Slice and Brett Rogers had been “confirmed for October,” Shaw said he was mis-quoted in the piece. He clarified his position by stating that “A fight could possibly take place between Kimbo and Rogers within the next 12 months” but added that nothing has been made official. Shaw believes that the two are destined to fight but that it’s not expected to happen until scheduling and the proper platform can be worked out.

Shaw also responded to a Sherdog.com report that claimed Antonio Silva had agreed verbally to fight Sergei Kharitonov for the vacant EliteXC heavyweight title during the SHOWTIME portion of the next installment of “Saturday Night Fights” on July 26 in Stockton, Calif. He issued a clear denial, saying “That fight is 100 percent not happening.”

When asked about whether an opponent was in place for Silva, Shaw indicated that one has been selected that is worthy of fighting for a title but that a deal was in the process of being finalized.

Shaw also indicated that an announced fight between Nick Diaz and Thomas Denny is considered likely to air on CBS on July 26, but that thus far, the only two bouts are guaranteed to be broadcast during the network television portion of the card. Those two fights include a rematch for the EliteXC middleweight title between Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith as well as a bout featuring Jake Shields and Nick Thompson competing for the vacant EliteXC welterweight title.

While speaking with Shaw, he expressed why he felt a need to correct some of the existing reports that he felt are erroneous.

“People like to make comments all the time, speak in anonymity, or sometimes run with stories without actually speaking to the parties involved,” Shaw stated. “Over the past three days I have read too many erroneous reports, from the demise of Gary Shaw, to CBS pushing us into making matches, to matches that aren’t event happening. It’s great to have your name out in the public; branding is branding, but the fact remains if it hasn’t come form one of the horse’s mouths, then it can only be taken as a rumor. Those horses are Doug DeLuca, Gary Shaw, Jeremy Lappen, and myself.”

Since this site has referenced reports from other sites that Shaw is being phased down, we felt it was only fair to give Shaw a chance to address specific reports that his father’s role in the company had been downgraded.

“EliteXC is a team with core values,” he responded. “Nothing will or has changed. Gary will not be in the public eye as much, because he has other endeavors blossoming, and wants to spend more time with family (mainly grandchildren and his wife). I’m not gonna lie to you; the Tim Russert episode really struck a cord with Gary. He has an extensive travel schedule and is a workaholic much the way Tim was… And (the) truth is he’s getting up there in age.

“So Gary is at a point now where he just can’t keep up the constant back and forth to California from his home (in New Jersey). And so he’s just taking a step back in his life, not in the company (and) not being pushed. Just taking some time to be healthy and enjoy everything he’s built from the ground up. The creator rarely gets to smile at his artwork because he’s so busy making more.

“I’m here; I’m talking to you now, I’m saying the Shaws are not going anywhere. EliteXC is not going anywhere. CBS is not trying to control our way of promoting. We will see everyone on July 26th with another great card from EliteXC, SHOWTIME, and CBS. Last but not least I just want to put these names out in the public: Jaydee Penn, Rich Chou, J.T. Steele, Eric Naranjo: that’s the team along with, Doug, Jeremy, and myself. That’s EliteXC; they all deserve credit. We work as one (and) nothing is changing.

Bummer the fight isn't going down, as reported.

[Grabaka]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Report: Antonio Silva vs. Justin Eilers verbally agree to meet at July 26 EliteXC
by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Jun 30, 2008 at 4:52 pm ET


Antonio Silva (10-1) and Justin Eilers (19-6-1) have verbally agreed to meet at EliteXC's July 26 event, which airs on both Showtime and CBS.

Fiveouncesofpain.com reports that the two heavyweights are expected to sign bout agreements today and will likely meet for the first-ever EliteXC heavyweight title, according to EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw.

Although Eilers was not the organization's first choice to fight Silva, the UFC veteran has won 10 of his past 11 fights.

The Silva-Eilers fight will likely headline the Showtime portion of the event, which takes place at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, Calif. Later that night, EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler rematches with Scott Smith in the night's main event, and Jake Shields takes on Nick Thompson for the first-ever EliteXC welterweight title.

Silva, 28, is an American Top Team fighter who's riding a three-fight win streak (with all the victories coming in EliteXC). Aside from his latest fight -- a split-decision victory over Ricco Rodriguez in February -- he's never fought past the first round.

Eilers, 30, is a former Miletich Fighting Systems fighter who went 1-3 in the UFC. He fought-then champ Andrei Arlovski at UFC 53 but suffered a first-round TKO. Since leaving the organization, he's fought for a variety of organizations, including the WEC, HDNet Fights and Combat in the Cage. Of his 19 career victories, 17 have come via stoppage -- 14 in the first round.

Not nearly as cool as Silva/Kharitonov would have been. It would be funny if Eilers somehow wins.

[Grabaka]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Shayna Baszler vs. Cristiane Cyborg finalizes EliteXC's July 26 CBS card
by Dann Stupp on Jul 08, 2008 at 4:08 pm ET


Elite Xtreme Combat will again feature a female bout when it returns to network television for the July 26 "Saturday Night Fights" event on CBS.

A 140-pound bout between Shayna Baszler (9-4) and Cristiane Cyborg (4-0) has been added to the night's televised main card, the organization today announced.

"EliteXC: Unfinished Business," which features a main-event rematch between EliteXC middleweight champ Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith, will air on Showtime for one hour before switching over to CBS.

The event takes place at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, Calif.

With the addition of the Baszler-Cyborg fight, the CBS main card is now finalized.

Baszler, a 27-year-old from South Dakota, will make her fourth EliteXC appearance. She's currently riding a four-fight win streak (all but one fight was with EliteXC), and every victory has come via first-round submission. In fact, every one of her nine career victories has come via submission -- all in the first round.

Her only career losses have come to highly regarded fighters Kelly Kobald, Amanda Buckner and top-ranked Tara LaRosa.

Cyborg, who's garnered a large underground following thanks to her success in the Brazilian Storm Samurai organization, will make her U.S. debut at the event. Cyborg, the wife of veteran MMA fighter Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos, has won her past three fights via first-round knockout.

In today's press release, EliteXC also confirmed that former IFL fighter and EliteXC veteran Rafael Feijao (6-1) will appear on the night's Showtime card, though the search for an opponent continues. The Showtime portion of the event is headlined by an EliteXC heavyweight title fight between Antonio Silva and Justin Eilers.

With today's bookings, the fight card now includes:

MAIN CARD (CBS)

Champ Robbie Lawler vs. Scott Smith (for EliteXC middleweight title)
Jake Shields vs. Nick Thompson (for EliteXC welterweight title)
Thomas Denny vs. Nick Diaz
Shayna Baszler vs. Cristiane Cyborg
MAIN CARD (SHOWTIME)

Justin Eilers vs. Antonio Silva (for EliteXC heavyweight title)
Brian Caraway vs. Wilson Reis
Rafael Feijao vs. TBA

[Grabaka]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

‘Feijao' Given Test in Galbraith at CBS-EliteXC
Thursday, July 10, 2008
by Loretta Hunt ([Only registered and activated users can see links])


EliteXC representatives haven't been shy in their assessment of Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante.

In a conference call Wednesday hyping CBS's second "Saturday Night Fights" installment on July 26, the promotion said they'd match the Brazilian up with any 205-pounder in the world.

While that claim might be a tad premature, the 6-1 Cavalcante will at least take a step in the direction of stiffer opposition when he faces King of the Cage Canada champion Travis Galbraith (Pictures) at EliteXC "Unfinished Business" in Stockton, Calif.

Cavalcante, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under the tutelage of UFC champions Anderson Silva and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures), showed promise when he flattened Oklahoma State-bred wrestler Wayne Cole (Pictures) (11-7) with punches and knees at EliteXC's last escapade on June 16 in Honolulu.

In Galbraith, the 28-year-old former heavyweight faces a Pride FC veteran who's cinched seven of his last nine bouts, including a June victory over Martin Desilets (Pictures) at Raw Combat in Calgary, Alberta.

The light heavyweight tilt will be one of three bouts broadcasted on a one-hour Showtime telecast from 8-9 p.m. EST/PST, which precedes the CBS show.

[welsh_lad_04]

Updated card for EliteXC: Unfinished Business

EliteXC: Unfinished Business, the follow-up to its blockbuster May 31 CBS debut, will take place Saturday at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, California.
This time, the "Saturday Night Fights" CBS installment will be preceded by an hour of fights on Showtime.

Missing from this card are the polarizing figures presented in the first "Saturday Night Fights" -- Kimbo Slice, Gina Carano. Instead, EliteXC will feature title bouts between middleweights Robbie Lawler-Scott Smith, welterweights Jake Shields-Nick Thompson, and heavyweights Antonio Silva-Justin Eilers.

CBS "Saturday Night Fights" Card:

- Robbie Lawler vs. Scott Smith
- Jake Shields vs. Nick Thompson
- Thomas Denny vs. Nick Diaz
- Shayna Baszler vs. Cristiane Cyborg
- David Douglas vs. Marlon Mathias (Swing Bout)

Showtime Card:

- Justin Eilers vs. Antonio Silva
- Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante vs. Travis Galbraith
- Brian Caraway vs. Wilson Reis

Undercard:

- Jeremy Freitag vs. Anthony Ruiz
- Mike Cook vs. Carl Seumanutafa
- Drew Montgomery vs. Brandon Tarn

Source ([Only registered and activated users can see links])