EliteXC Loses Sokoudjou Amidst Expansion Rumors

Discussion in 'General MMA Discussion' started by Mitchell Kane, Jul 14, 2007.

  1. Mitchell Kane

    Mitchell Kane WBC Silver Diamond Emeritus Champ

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    EliteXC Loses Sokoudjou Amidst Expansion Rumors
    By Josh Gross

    [7/14/2007] Pro Elite, promoter of EliteXC-branded mixed martial arts events broadcast via Showtime television, is negotiating to purchase ICON Sport and King of the Cage, two of mixed martial arts longest-running and successful North American organizations, Sherdog.com has learned.

    "I have no comment at all," EliteXC's Gary Shaw said of the rumored deals, which if consummated would also provide Pro Elite with two of the deepest video libraries in the sport. Shaw's silence was officially mirrored by ICON and KOTC, however sources on all sides of the deal indicated that things were heating up.

    After reserving a date at the Chumash Casino Resort in Central California, KOTC's Ted Williams gave way to Shaw as promoter of record for the July 27 card, leading to speculation that Showtime's debut ShoXC, modeled after the premium cable network's acclaimed ShoBox series -- known for minimalist production and matching quality young boxers -- would be co-promoted.

    Shaw confirmed the ShoXC card, still promoted locally as KOTC, would feature lightweights Edson Berto and KJ Noons. The KOTC Web site also lists a unification bout between KOTC welterweight champion Aaron Wetherspoon and Gladiator Challenge champ Jeremiah Metcalf.

    Discussions between Hawaii's ICON Sport (previously Super Brawl) and Pro Elite, which originally partnered with Rumble on the Rock, another Hawaiian promotion, are nearing completion, several sources indicated.

    EliteXC is looking at promoting Sept. 15 in Honolulu, with a main event between ICON middleweight champ Robbie Lawler and EliteXC champ Murilo Rua, though nothing has been signed said one source.

    One high-profile fighter who won't appear on an EliteXC card in the coming year is Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (Pictures), this despite the light heavyweight verbally agreeing to a deal with Pro Elite that would have kept him busy, fighting four times in 12 months.

    Reports surfaced Friday that Sokoudjou (4-1-0), who knocked out Ricardo Arona and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in his last two fights, fielded a late offer from K-1. Ryan Parsons, a representative for the 23-year-old fighter, told Sherdog.com that the K-1 contract promised "significantly more money" than the potential $200,000 per-fight Sokoudjou was slated to receive from Pro Elite.

    Last week K-1 approached Sokoudjou with a one-year offer that would have placed the young Team Quest fighter against either Melvin Manhoef or Alistair Overeem on Monday's HERO'S card in Yokohama, the first of at least three fights he would have owed the Japanese promotion. However, failing to obtain a visa on short notice delayed the PRIDE veteran's return to Japan, and will keep Sokoudjou in Southern California this weekend.

    Having backed away from EliteXC, Sokoudjou now awaits signing with K-1, which Parsons said should happen "shortly."

    "We're sorry that we lost him," said Shaw, who was so confident a deal was in place that he flew Sokoudjou to San Jose, Calif. to watch Frank Shamrock stop Phil Baroni from cage-side.

    "I guess K-1 is either throwing a lot of money or a lot of promises around," said Shaw. "I would have thought that he would have wanted to fight in the United States. I guess that won't happen now."

    Japanese fans took a tremendous liking to Sokoudjou, said Parsons, recalling a "madhouse" during a photo shoot for the dreadlocked fighter the last time he traveled across the Pacific.

    "He can be a star [in Japan]," Parsons said of Sokoudjou, who should make his HERO'S debut Sept. 17, possibly against Overeem.

    Shaw said he doesn't hold anything against Team Quest for making the decision to put Sokoudjou in K-1. "I learned a lesson here: I'm not flying anyone in until they're ready to ink a deal," admitted the longtime boxing promoter, who in February promoted his first MMA card. "I don't need to have pretty faces in the audience that I pay to fly in."
     
  2. Hanzy

    Hanzy "Twinkle Toes" McJack

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    I don't understand why the UFC would waste a major opportunity in not signing Sokoudjou. He's the type of fighter whom the fans would love to see. Explosive and powerful. No bullsh*t on the ground, just straight up 2 fisted bombs.
    He'd have been great for the 205lb division. Put him in there with Tito Ortiz, Forrest Griffin, or Houston Alexander.
     
  3. Beyond the Grave

    Beyond the Grave Undisputed Champion

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    Sokoudjou's wins over Lil Nog and Arona back to back puts him in my top five at 205 and I agree the brotha brings it.
     
  4. Hanzy

    Hanzy "Twinkle Toes" McJack

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    Yep. Very stupid on the part of the UFC to not sign him. I guess he got bigger offers from other places. K1 pays very good money.
     
  5. Mitchell Kane

    Mitchell Kane WBC Silver Diamond Emeritus Champ

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    Supposedly EliteXC were offering him in the neighborhood of $200,000 per fight (and K-1 went above that)...signing him to those kind of numbers would mess up UFC's entire pay scale.

    Tito Ortiz only got $200,000 for UFC 73 and he's one of the most well-known stars and proven draws that UFC has.
     
  6. Haymaker

    Haymaker WBC Silver Diamond Emeritus Champ

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    Gary Shaw is smart, he is content in paying 1/3 of what a boxer would get paid, to get the big names to fight for him....Hell, given the MMA ratings and popularity I gues he wouldn't mind paying millions, when he have the guarantee of major ppv sales and a full arena...
     
  7. Mitchell Kane

    Mitchell Kane WBC Silver Diamond Emeritus Champ

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    I'm surprised no one's mentioned the rumors of Robbie Lawlor-Murilo Rua for the next Showtime card September 15th.

    That's a pretty good main event, plus the fight combines the ICON and EliteXC middleweight titles...and the winner becomes a realistic future opponent for Frank Shamrock (who hols the Strikeforce title).
     
  8. Hanzy

    Hanzy "Twinkle Toes" McJack

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    So then why is Dana White so confident that he's going to get EVERYBODY to work for his company? Every interview, it's always the same crap he's spewing like "those are minor leagues, soon those guys are all coming to the UFC."
    It's obvious he has a real competition on his hands, he has to cough up the money since there are other promotions willing to pay more.
    Also, the UFC's payscale is awful. $14,000 flat + $14,000 win bonus for a UFC champ in Sean Sherk? $16,000 for Rashad Evans against Ortiz?
    I was almost wondering why the FBI hadn't raided the offices of Dana and the Fertittas by now.:lol:
    The UFC's piece of sh*t business model, they need to change it and soon. The fighters are getting the same money today as they got before the UFC even had its popularity boom. F*cking ridiculous.
     
  9. Beyond the Grave

    Beyond the Grave Undisputed Champion

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    People wonder why Fedor,Wandy exc won't sign with the UFC.The UFC talks big but when it comes down to it there not so big and there strong arm exclusive contract with shit pay tactics is already driving fighters away or preventing fighter from wanting too sign.
     

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