King Of The Cage Promoter Says ProElite, KOTC & CBS Trying To Work Together

King of the Cage Logo

The story of ProElite’s demise doesn’t know which way it wants to go. First, they ran out of money and their lifeline decided to dump them. They’re supposedly filing for bankruptcy, except they don’t. Then, several fighters file for breach of contract to which ProElite responds with, “we’re running events in 2009.” Showtime is pissed because ProElite owes them a ton of money, so they file to hold a public auction to sell off all of ProElite’s assets, including fighter contracts, to recoup as much money as possible. ProElite says Showtime can’t do that and threatens to file a lawsuit to block the sale. Meanwhile, fighters’ agents are pulling out the laterns and pitchforks.

Tito Ortiz Is Talking Again, But Is He Saying Anything?

Tito Ortiz is opening his mouth again, but is anything coming out? Over the weekend, he “guaranteed” he would be fighting again in July for either the UFC or Affliction. Of course, he’s already cried wolf one too many times to take him seriously at this point, so excuse us if we’re not buying it.

Then today comes this video interview with Tito. He basically says the same thing, but as MDS pointed out, he did say something interesting about Affliction.

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Can The ProElite Debacle Get Any Worse? (Update)

ProElite logoIf you thought the aftermath of ProElite’s demise couldn’t get any worse, you may be wrong. Last we heard, Showtime had scheduled a public sale to auction off all of ProElite’s assets including the fighters’ contracts. Apparently that didn’t sit well with whoever’s left at ProElite though, as it appears they are fighting the sale.

ProElite To Sell Assets To Highest Bidder In A Public Auction (Update)

ProElite logoRemember that ridiculous notice ProElite sent out in response to numerous fighters filing for breach of contract yesterday? You know, the one where they said they still planned on promoting events in 2009. Well, here’s what’s really going on.

In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing dated Nov. 4, executives from Showtime Networks and parent company CBS Corporation announced that the assets of Pro Elite, Inc. would be sold to the highest bidder in a public auction scheduled for Nov. 17.

“Showtime gave the Issuer a notice pursuant to the Security Agreement, as amended, that it intends to sell all of the Issuer’s personal property, whether tangible or intangible, to the highest bidder at a public sale,” the filing states. “Showtime reserves its rights under the Security Agreement, as amended, and applicable lawto adjourn or cancel the sale and thereafter dispose of such property in a public or private sale or in any other manner provided by applicable law.”

So basically, if you’re rich and happen to get your kicks from burning cold hard cash in your fireplace, ProElite is the perfect opportunity for you. Any takers?

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Affliction & UFC: Deal? No Deal! CageFighter Banned From The UFC (Update - Must Hear Audio)

Affliction & UFC No Deal

If they didn’t like each other before, then they hate each other now. In the past few days, you may have heard rumblings about Affliction executives going off on Lorenzo Fertitta and the UFC. Dana briefly mentioned it in his latest video blog, and if I remember correctly, Jeff Thaler alluded to it on the latest episode of FightOpinion Radio. So what was it all about? Good question, but it appears the answer has been made public.

CBS Locking Down EliteXC Fighters’ Contracts?

CBS LogoOne of the biggest questions to come out of EliteXC’s demise is what’s going to happen with the fighters. It seems they won’t immediately become free agents as everything will likely need to be sorted out in bankruptcy proceedings. Josh Gross of SI.com has a new report which highlights how CBS may be involved in locking down the fighters contracts for the foreseeable future.

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ProElite/EliteXC Closing Doors This Week; CBS & Affliction? (Update II - Sengoku ‘#1 Contender’ For Nick Diaz)

EliteXC And ProElite FinishedMultiple reports are surfacing that ProElite/EliteXC will be closing its doors as early as Friday of this week. If true, it appears EliteXC ‘A Night of Champions’ scheduled for Nov. 8, featuring the highly-anticipated vacant lightweight title match between Nick Diaz and Eddie Alvarez, will be canceled.

From Sherdog.com:

EliteXC “Night of Champions,” scheduled for Nov. 8 at the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nev., is in jeopardy of cancellation as the promotion heads into what may be its final days of business, Sherdog.com has learned from numerous anonymous sources.

CBS Paid For ‘Heat,’ Keeps Revenues

CBS LogoLast we heard, EliteXC was still $2 million short of the $3 million needed to continue through the rest of the year. Showtime pumped in $1 million, although that seemed to be more of a move to position themselves as first in line to buy the company. With all of the hoopla leading up to the event, it was easy to forget how exactly they were paying for it. Well, guess what? ProElite/EliteXC didn’t pay for it, CBS did. And the real kicker is they kept all the revenues too.

The SEC filing via MMAPayout.com:

Previously, CBS ordered an additional event under the Agreement from the Company scheduled to be presented on October 4, 2008, at The BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida (the “Sunrise Event”). The Company advised CBS that it was unable to deliver the Sunrise Event ordered by CBS for October 2008 under the current terms of the Agreement.

Accordingly, the Company and CBS agreed to amend the Agreement whereby CBS would assume all expenses for the event and receive all revenue from the event. CBS advanced the estimated event costs according to an agreed upon budget in order for the Company to pay expenses related to the event. Additionally, the Company and CBS waived mutual exclusivity under the Agreement for the Sunrise Event.

So while $kala was running around talking about how great of shape the company was in, ProElite was behind the scenes telling CBS they’re so broke, they can’t even put on the third and most important event in their short history. Nice.

CBS essentially owns their ass without owning their ass. No wonder they’re so eager to put on the fourth event.

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Fox News Fight Game: Sliced & Diced

Fox News Fight Game’s Mike Straka has a different take on the EliteXC alleged bribery debacle. Straka believes EliteXC’s claim that Seth was merely referring to a knockout bonus, although he takes issue with Gary Shaw’s comments from the LA Times article where he admitted he’s told fighters in the past to make it a stand-up fight. Straka says this shows that EliteXC is only in it for “pure entertainment and the money,” not the love of the sport. While I feel there’s too many inconsistencies amongst everyone’s stories to just accept EliteXC’s denial of the bribery accusations, I do agree that EliteXC isn’t in it for the right reasons, although it shouldn’t take this latest blunder to come to that conclusion. The obvious mishandling of the company at the executive level since it’s inception should have raised that red flag ages ago. If that’s not enough to convince you, Fightlinker has a whole book’s worth of examples for you here.

Final Ratings In For EliteXC ‘Heat’ On CBS - 2.7/05 With 4.56 Million Viewers

CBS EliteXC Saturday Night Fights

The press release:

“CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS” PACKS RATINGS PUNCH

SATURDAY’S #1 PROGRAM ON BOTH BROADCAST AND CABLE IN ADULTS 18-34, MEN 18-34 AND MEN 18-49

MMA Event Tops All Entertainment and Sports Programming – Including College Football and Major League Baseball Playoffs – in Key Young Male Demos

The Third “CBS EliteXC Saturday Night Fights” Event Posts Huge Increases Over its Prior Edition in Viewers and All Key Demographics

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