Elite XC’s Broadcast: Why I’m Not as Optimistic as Everybody Else
By Josh Stein on Jun 01, 2008
I get crap, occassionally, for being a cynical, hard to please and, occasionally, painful blunt individual. I’m never going to be a fluffy, wide-eyed optimist, but believe when I say that I have a hard time believing that even if I was, I’d have a hard time being as happy with the EXC event as everyone seems to be.
Personally, I expected a good amount of negative feedback from an internet fanbase that usually says something interesting, but instead they start to throw their overwhelming support behind EXC.
No, for the sake of argument, I want to express all of my concerns about the EXC event, so that people don’t just think I’m upset at a phantom.
- I thought the production value was pretty bad. While they did bring in some nice effects for the entrances, and put some work into making everything look like a pricy event, they made the classic errors that show the mark of a lower-class show. I’m not talking about the girls (though, that was a move in bad taste, in my opinion), I’m talking about the fact that you had Frank Shamrock reading painfully slowly off of a teleprompter and demonstrating techniques on a grappling dummy. It makes me wonder if they spent all of their money on the girls and could pay a legit fighter (or even one of Frank’s training partners) to get in the cage for a quick demo.
- Gina Carano showed up to a fight out of shape and, while (like many things that went awry last night) this is no fault of Elite XC or CBS, it was incredibly painful to watch and I’m disappointed in Carano, who I’ve treated like a legitimate fighter up until this point. I consider myself off of her nuts (metaphorically speaking) until she proves that she’s more interested in fighting than being on American Gladiators.
- There were two ridiculously premature stoppages. The Thompson and Kimbo fight and the Smith and Lawler fight. Apart from the Lawler vs. Smith debaucle, which is going to be controversial however you look at it, because No Contests alway are, the NJSAC did a terrible job running this event, and maybe they were worried about looking too relaxed on broadcast television, I don’t know. The point, however, is that two painfully premature stoppages in one night makes your organization look even more incompetant than Herb Dean did when he was taking all of the crap for the second Tito/Shamrock fight.
- My real problem with Lawler vs. Smith was that it was incredibly boring. I will keep this simple, because I know that people actually don’t believe that the organization can control this. The only thing I have to say is: “Bring back the yellow card. These problems will magically disappear even when fighters are peripherally aware of a possible fine.”
- In terms of Kimbo vs. Thompson, I hope it made people aware that Kimbo is a mediocre fighter with a million dollar beard, and that they are starting to remember that this man in a street-fighter, not a cage fighter. While it’s clear that he has improved since he was spanked by Sean Gannon, the fact that he was dominated by a fighter like Thompson at all during the fight shows that he is hardly a top tier fighter, and that the hype surrounding him is highly undeserved.
- What really pains me about Kimbo is that, in the wake of a fight that most people will acknowledge was terribly fought, he will be given another opponent who is only slightly better than his last, and he won’t be called out by the real top of his division.
I won’t complain about the Baroni vs. Villasenor fight, which I thought was good, and I won’t say that Brett Rogers’ knockout wasn’t impressive. What I will say is that the three fights at the top of that card were comprised of fighters who were out of shape (not just Gina, but the cardio-less hacks of Kimbo Slice and James “Gong-and-Dash” Thompson) and fighters who didn’t look like they wanted to fight (I’m looking at you, Scott Smith).
The problem is that, the more I think about it, the more I should have seen this coming. After all, Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith are generally counter punchers, and a fight between two counter punchers often makes for an incredibly boring fight. And Kimbo Slice and James Thompson (something that I actually have commented on before) are both gimmick fighters with only a tiny bit of legitimacy.
So, I won’t give the event the same rave reviews that Brandt did. All I will say is that I believe the card was overhyped because it was on broadcast TV and that I hope we continue to treat EXC what it is, a gimmick organization with a few legitimate fighters that sees fit to ignore those legitimate fighters so that it can get more publicity.
Normally, I wouldn’t be so harsh to lump Gina in. I have no problem with women in combat sports, but I think that she’s being coddled by everyone because she is the darling of women’s MMA, and no one wants to call her out on the weight issue, because everybody loves her. Well, I think that if she were a guy and had shown up four pounds over, we’d be pissed. Even well liked fighters have a hard time pushing credibility when they miss weight for a big fight. Travis Lutter and Joe Riggs will probably never get another title shot, both because they can’t seem to win enough fights in a row and because of the remaining stigma.
Obviously, Carano will still be called a top fighter, but she’s not to me, anymore. A top fighter doesn’t go to a three week training camp and a top fighter doesn’t miss weight.
My overall view on the night was that EXC made it difficult for me to take them seriously. The things they could control were mediocre and the things that they couldn’t were disasterous. Maybe I’m a pessimist, maybe I’m a douchebag. Honestly, I’m just calling ‘em like I see ‘em.
Filed Under: MMA
While I agree with most of what you said, I think you’re being a little hard on Kimbo. As far as his cardio goes, you have to remember that this was his first fight that lasted longer than a minute. Also, you have to factor in nerves. I know it’s hard to believe but giant scary-looking characters, such as Kimbo, are fully capable of getting nervous about fighting in the main event of the first MMA event being broadcast in primetime by a major network. Couple this with the fact that it’s only his 3rd MMA fight, and you have a recipe for some pre-game jitters. I actually think nerves were a factor in most of the night’s fights.
As for your issue with Kimbo’s level of ability, I think what I said in the previous paragraph bears repeating – this was only his third MMA fight. Of course he’s a mediocre fighter. I think he’s been training for almost 2 years now. Although he entered MMA with some ability, you have to admit that he has put in the work and is a decent fighter for being so new to the game. The fact that he will be given an opponent who is only slightly better than his last and not called out by the fighters in the top of his division pains you? I thought the general idea was to have each opponent you face be a little better than your last. If you try to make a giant leap that early in a fighter’s career you end up with a situation like Houston Alexander vs. Thiago Silva. Considering all of this, I don’t see why any legitimate top-level fighter would call out Kimbo. If any of those fighters lost to Kimbo, their careers would be derailed because they lost to such an inexperienced fighter. If you beat Kimbo, on the other hand, their career would not exactly be sent into warp speed because they has basically beaten a virtual amateur.
I know exactly what you’re think now – Why would any legitimate promotion make such an inexperienced fighter the main event attraction? As I’m sure you know – because the promotion’s number one goal is to make money and that means selling tickets/giving the fans what they want to see. Like it or not, Kimbo is a fighter that the fans want to watch. An example that comes to mind could be the UFC’s treatment of Chuck Liddell. Contrary to all outward appearances, Liddell isn’t the LHW champion anymore. However, the fans love him so he remains the face of the UFC.
As I said in my comments to Brandt’s post, it’s important to keep in mind that EliteXC is the face of primetime MMA because of the UFC. Would the UFC have done a MUCH better job? You bet they would have. And that is why almost every major network was beating down their door to ink a deal. But the UFC/Dana refused to work with anyone and they had to go elsewhere. Sort of makes you wish Dana wasn’t such a tyrant.
I want to be the first one to thank Dana White for providing the MMA fan base with something good to watch last night! Gina Carano looked dominant and was well worth the watch, the title fight was good but had a terrible ending (so much for recovery time), and Kimbo… All I can say is when you have all of your cards invested in a product you have to protect it………
Let me specify. It was great to be able to switch to Spike, and see Chuck and Wand in a great MMA fight. I didn’t care for the Hollywood… I don’t want to see dancers, Busta, or continuous commercials. Just get in the cage and fight! The occasional Mayhem Miller intro is funny…every time is obnoxious…
I agree with you Curtis. I had to be out last night, but I taped the show and watched it when I got home, so I didn’t have something to watch, but I had to work very hard not to fast forward through the whole thing.
Whoever the fight journal rep on here is, I have to say that I think you’re right that they are trying to make money, but the fact is, they don’t let people put lead paint in toys because it’s pretty and we shouldn’t be putting up with bullshit in our MMA just because it gets these guys attention.
I’m aware that they’ll continue to do it, but I put the protest out there so that when Kimbo does get killed I can say “I told you that this guy was a one trick pony.” You’re entitled to do the same thing (as is every serious MMA writer, who has been saying the exact same thing).
My problem with your comment is that while you acknowledge everything that was wrong with the event, you defend it because it made money.
It made money.
It was a disgusting event.
Your point (that first one) is valid, it doesn’t make the second one any less valid.
As for your defense of Kimbo, it’s really hard for someone like yourself, who clearly knows something about the sport, because you know that he’s a bad fighter. Once you admit that he’s a bad fighter, the argument is done.
He makes money.
He sucks.
Again, your argument is correct, it doesn’t make that second point, my point, any less valid.
Honestly, I hope they throw Kimbo in the cage with Bigfoot so that big Silva can have the honor of breaking his face through that ridiculous beard.
Ah that won’t happen (the Silva fight) anytime soon though.
What is interesting, however, is if people will actually be more drawn to watching Kimbo now that they know he has a weakness. I’ve been a Yankees fan my whole life (I know I know) and although I’m not a wacky diehard, I still like to watch the Red Sox lose.
The funny part of this whole thing is that after the fight was over, the only thing that I could think about was how fast a match between Kimbo and Ricco Rodriguez or Antonio Silva would be. I will put my life’s savings down on less than 3 minutes with Kimbo hitting the ground fast and staying there.
The hype machine is on its way to the end of its run …
If Kimbo was coming up the regular way, being featured on a 1 minute slot on InsideMMA’s coverage of regional events instead of PrimeTime MMA, I would be much more supportive I think ….
Raghu, interesting response, and an interesting piece on your site. I’ll be honest, I think that your giddiness over Carano/Young is a little misplaced. I was disappointed in the fight knowing how bad Gina undertrained and I’m getting more and more frustrated that no one seems to want to hold her accountable for it. Whatever, I’ll vent about it some other time.
I do agree with both you and Brandt about Kimbo though, because I want to see him get a whuppin and I think that Brett Rogers will probably have the honor of delivering it at the top of a card. I certainly hope he does, and the way that they were talking about it last night certainly makes me think that it coming soon.
Josh,
Josh,
Honestly dude I love your articles and agree with most of your opinions, however, you’re wrong about Gina Carano not being a top fighter and I’ll tell you why. I too was disapointed when she didn’t make the cut, I think a fighter should respect their weight class if they are to fight in such. This is but one component of what makes a top fighter though. Regardless of the discipline or respect for the EliteXC or MMA in general, (and I think you know she has both) neither are facets of criteria that make a fighter on top. Gina Carano is a top fighter because she holds an impressive 12-1 muay thai record, and has gone undefeated in MMA enduring and dominating through 6 exciting fights. Personally fighting in muay thai myself I won’t even begin to breakdown the mechanics and powerful bravery she reflects in her stand up game, she is a viscious muay thai godess. Now given she has the raw talent to reach the media in both the Gladiators and EliteXC is nothing short of amazing considering that she is a baby in MMA, and her record remains unflawed. You insulted her gogoplata attempt, but I applauded this. She could be like the other less rounded stand up fighters and ride the guard until she could escape, but she took an offensive chance with her very limited ground game. And when does a gogoplata ever work anyway? 30%?I’ll remind you that two of her fights were won on the ground, one of which were against a bjj specialist. She is still a new figther and is far from reaching her prime. If anything you should respect her more for all the flattering and degrading review from the media she’s recieved and handling her buisness. I’m glad she fights in the 140 pound because there is a shortage of great female fighters in the heavier classes. And the fact that she was far from her conditioning peak makes her next bout that much more promising for Gina and intimidating for her unlucky opponent. She has been more than apologetic for her failure, and shown her respect for the sport, but people continue to ride her ass. But make no mistake about it Josh, Gina Carano IS the the top female fighter and for good reason. She is focused on her upcoming fight on Oct.4, and will fight with integrity. She will only continue to learn from her mistakes, despite anyone’s approval. Your convictions are disregarded, and “Conviction” will prove you otherwise.
Kyle, I understand that she’s a great fighter. My point is not that she sucks all of a sudden because she couldn’t make weight. Obviously, her raw ability is not going to disappear because she’s over weight.
My problem with Gina is that we are not holding her accountable for what was a terrible performance.
It was disrespectful to the fans and the other female fighters that she represents for her to show up the way that she did. Not only was she overweight, but she admitted to undertraining for the fight, and that’s what pisses me off.
She’s a fighter first, in my opinion, and if she wants to be an actress or a gladiator, then she shouldn’t be fighting. I want to see fighters that love to fight, not fighters that show up fat, slow and weak, and then get the benefit of the doubt.
I hope she does show up and look good. She’s a great athlete and I’d like to see her perform up to her potential. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been doing that.