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Fantasy Booking EliteXC's First Show on CBS (viewed 1,256 times)
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Bouts for EliteXC's first-ever telecast on CBS have yet to be formally announced yet speculation about which fighters will be involved with the card is starting to heat up. In light of the growing curiosity of the much-anticipated show, I decided to do some fantasy booking for the show in regard to what I think is the best strategic approach to take. I want to preface that the matches I will propose in this article are simply my personal ideas and are based on no inside information (unless expressly stated).
I want to start off but stating that I think EliteXC should wait to hold the show until June. As of now, late-April and early-May have been discussed by the media as the potential time-frame for the first show but I subscribe to the theory that you only get one chance to make a first impression. A lot is riding on the first show and the more time that's devoted to planning, the better. The additional time available to market the fights and the more time allotted to fighters to train for specific opponents could make a noticeable difference when it comes to the end product.
The June date is also essential if published reports that the promotion is looking to hold the show in New Jersey are true. Right now the Jersey MMA market is being flooded with shows. Regional promotions such as Ring of Combat and BattleCage Xtreme are holding cards in Atlantic City during the months of March and April while national promotions such as Bob Meyrowitz's YAMMA Pit Fighting and the IFL are scheduled to hold shows in the state in April.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is that the Prudential Center in Newark is under consideration for the first show, according to this week's print edition of the Wrestling Observer. The Prudential Center is a large arena and it might not be the best time to sell tickets to a New Jersey/Philadelphia/New York fanbase that might be lacking funds following an active two months of shows.
Here's the five-match card that I'd like to see for the CBS debut:
* Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson vs. Sean Gannon - The ideal opponent for Kimbo would have been Ken Shamrock, but that ship not only sailed this past Saturday night in London, it capsized. With only two official fights under his belt and Kimbo's strong value to the promotion as its biggest star, the perfect opponent for Slice is someone that is a recognizable name that also isn't a tremendous threat to beat him. There are many fighters that possess one of the aforementioned attributes, but few that possess both.
The reality is that being on network television means that the promotion will be introducing itself to many viewers who haven't heard of EliteXC. As such, the name recognition aspect may not be all that big of a deal because even if the guy is known to Bob Hardoce, chances are he'll still be unkown to Joe Average Fan. That being said, you still want an opponent that will at least get some people excited in hopes that some sort of buzz can be created that will get people talking. Sean Gannon is that guy.
Based on Gannon's previous win over Slice in a non-sanctioned street fight that is available on YouTube, there is a history between the two that you can sell to the audience through interviews, barker shows, and whatever other vehicles are utilized to promote the show. Kimbo's fanbase will be energized by the matchup and a strong reaction to the fight from the live audience could leave someone at home that has no idea who Slice and Gannon are with the feeling that they should know.
Gannon is going to want a lot of money for this fight and there's a strong belief that with his win over Shamrock at Cage Rage 25, Robert "Buzz" Berry is the front-runner to fight Kimbo next. I just think Gannon is the better option if he can be convinced to come down from his alleged asking price because too many critics will complain that Berry isn't a legitimate test for Kimbo. Some of those critics will say the same about Gannon but at least the promotion will be able to respond to critics who make that claim with the argument that Gannon once beat Kimbo.
There will also be those that claim that Gannon is nothing more than a glorified street fighter but the truth is that Gannon is a former law enforcement official, has trained MMA at several notable gyms in the Massachusetts area, and even has competed once in the UFC.
The final part of the Gannon equation is whether this is a fight that Slice can perform well in. While Gannon won their street fight, the result was not without controversy and the rematch would be held under MMA rules. Slice's cardio is much improved since he crossed over to MMA and some of the fundamental takedown ability he displayed in his exhibition match against Ray Mercer raises the possibility that he could implement a plan B if he found himself losing the standup exchange.
* Frank Shamrock vs. Renzo Gracie - When EliteXC debuted on SHOWTIME last February a bout featuring the first families of MMA was chosen as its go-to match. If the promotion was confident in Shamrock vs. Gracie as the main event for its first telecast on SHOWTIME, why not go back to it as the co-main event for its first telecast on CBS?
Let me state for the record that I realize the idea of having Shamrock and Kimbo on the same card in a non-PPV situation isn't feasible. Shamrock isn't cheap and his inclusion alone could put the show over budget. You throw Gracie's price tag into the mix and you pretty much walk into a situation where your first CBS show could actually be a money-loser. But it all goes back to the belief that you only get one chance to make a good first impression. There's also the fact that even though EliteXC's deal with CBS is for four fights this year, the reality is that if this doesn't perform in the ratings that there might not be a second show. If the show fails with both Kimbo and Shamrock on it, EliteXC can at least take some comfort in knowing that they left nothing on the table.
Shamrock vs. Gracie II is a way for EliteXC to get ensure that the promotion gets a second franchise player on the card in a match that can easily be sold to the general public. Many critics are going to label vs. Slice vs. Gannon as a street fight in the cage but Shamrock vs. Gracie II brings a certain legitimacy to the show. The concept of having something for everyone was a winning recipe for its successful show in Miami so why not try and use that show as a template?
Getting Renzo to sign on for this show won't be easy because he was the initial choice to face Shamrock in March. Gracie reportedly was not responsive to the idea of fighting Shamrock again and when they couldn't secure him, Cung Le was chosen as Shamrock's opponent for March. But booking Shamrock vs. Gracie II is not only a pre-emptive defense against critics, it's also a way to make sure the Prudential Center (if it's booked) looks full on TV. Gracie has a school in Manhattan and lives in North Jersey and his IFL team drew well at the Izod Center last August during the championship semifinals. My belief is that he'll draw even better if he's fighting as opposed to coaching.
* K.J. Noons vs. Yves Edwards - Noons vs. Edwards fits perfectly into the concept of something for everyone. You've got the grudge match brawl between Gannon vs. Slice, the living legends in Shamrock vs. Gracie, and then a title fight between two athletic fighters that are good on their feet. This is the fight you sell to the hardcores because Noons and Edwards match up well with each other.
You can also sell Noons and Edwards to the general public. Noons is the young guy who has been training in martial arts since a young age. That sends the message to the public that you just can't walk into a dojo one day and a few months later compete at a championship level. Noons is also a reserved guy that has manners. Normally you'd like to see fighters be more outspoken but on a card that features larger than life personalities such as Slice and Shamrock, someone like Noons brings some levity.
Edwards also has a great storyline in that he was once on top of the world but suffered a massive fall from grace. After changing camps he's undergone a resurgence and is on the verge of getting back to the top. The fact that he stayed with MMA when he was down and almost out due to his passion for the sport is definitely the type of thing that could leave a first-time viewer with a positive impression.
Most importantly, the type of fight these two are capable of is the kind of thing that could get people talking about at the water cooler at work on Monday morning.
* Gina Carano vs. Shayna Baszler - Like Gracie vs. Shamrock, EliteXC had enough faith in Carano for their first show and she delivered big-time. It's time to try and catch lightning in a bottle again and nobody is more deserving of a chance in EliteXC to fight Carano than Baszler.
Some might say that presenting female MMA to an audience that will largely be comprised of neophytes is a big risk, but I don't see it that way. Carano's star has increased since her stint during the first season of "American Gladiators" and her fights have all been entertaining. Baszler is without question one of the better female competitors in the sport and there's a chance that a match between the two could actually steal the show.
I also believe that female MMA adds a human element to the show. I can't put my finger on it but there was just something about the Carano vs. Kedzie fight that added legitimacy to the card. I've heard critics say that female fighting is more barbaric than when males fight but a lot of those critics disappeared following the display of class from both Kedzie and Carano. There's also the fact that I believe the best way to win females over as fans is for them to actually see females compete on big shows. I know several females that had negative outlooks towards MMA until they saw either Carano, Baszler, or Tara LaRosa compete.
* Eddie Alvarez vs. Paul Daley - Feasibility is an issue with Gannon and Gracie and it will be with Daley since he's publicly said that he intends to retire after his next fight on March 29. However, in meeting the guy this past January I saw a fighter that was passionate about the sport. My guess is that he's frustrated and that if the right opportunities are presented to him, he'll change his tune. So why not present him with a chance to compete in front of a national audience in the U.S. on CBS in a match to determine the number one contender for EliteXC's lightweight title?
On the flip side, if you look at fighters that have the potential to benefit the most from the additional exposure that CBS will bring, Alvarez has to be at the top of the list. His aggressive style translates well to TV and he has the aura of a star. He came off a big-time during the Jan. 25 ShoXC telecast with the hometown reaction he received in front of the crowd in Atlantic City and he'll look like a star once again if he gets a similar reaction on CBS. Basically, in Alvarez you not only have a guy who is good for TV, but he'll also generate some ticket sales as well since Newark isn't all that far from Alvarez's hometown of Philadelphia.
I also like the fact that Daley called out Alvarez following his win over Sammy Morgan on the same ShoXC card that Alvarez headlined in January. So you have a natural storyline to their fight and their aggressive styles creates the potential for a nice payoff.
The way I see it is that a match between Alvarez and Daley on national TV is a win/win because you're guaranteed that at least one fighter is going to come out of the match a bigger star than he was going into it.
I want to start off but stating that I think EliteXC should wait to hold the show until June. As of now, late-April and early-May have been discussed by the media as the potential time-frame for the first show but I subscribe to the theory that you only get one chance to make a first impression. A lot is riding on the first show and the more time that's devoted to planning, the better. The additional time available to market the fights and the more time allotted to fighters to train for specific opponents could make a noticeable difference when it comes to the end product.
The June date is also essential if published reports that the promotion is looking to hold the show in New Jersey are true. Right now the Jersey MMA market is being flooded with shows. Regional promotions such as Ring of Combat and BattleCage Xtreme are holding cards in Atlantic City during the months of March and April while national promotions such as Bob Meyrowitz's YAMMA Pit Fighting and the IFL are scheduled to hold shows in the state in April.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is that the Prudential Center in Newark is under consideration for the first show, according to this week's print edition of the Wrestling Observer. The Prudential Center is a large arena and it might not be the best time to sell tickets to a New Jersey/Philadelphia/New York fanbase that might be lacking funds following an active two months of shows.
Here's the five-match card that I'd like to see for the CBS debut:
* Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson vs. Sean Gannon - The ideal opponent for Kimbo would have been Ken Shamrock, but that ship not only sailed this past Saturday night in London, it capsized. With only two official fights under his belt and Kimbo's strong value to the promotion as its biggest star, the perfect opponent for Slice is someone that is a recognizable name that also isn't a tremendous threat to beat him. There are many fighters that possess one of the aforementioned attributes, but few that possess both.
The reality is that being on network television means that the promotion will be introducing itself to many viewers who haven't heard of EliteXC. As such, the name recognition aspect may not be all that big of a deal because even if the guy is known to Bob Hardoce, chances are he'll still be unkown to Joe Average Fan. That being said, you still want an opponent that will at least get some people excited in hopes that some sort of buzz can be created that will get people talking. Sean Gannon is that guy.
Based on Gannon's previous win over Slice in a non-sanctioned street fight that is available on YouTube, there is a history between the two that you can sell to the audience through interviews, barker shows, and whatever other vehicles are utilized to promote the show. Kimbo's fanbase will be energized by the matchup and a strong reaction to the fight from the live audience could leave someone at home that has no idea who Slice and Gannon are with the feeling that they should know.
Gannon is going to want a lot of money for this fight and there's a strong belief that with his win over Shamrock at Cage Rage 25, Robert "Buzz" Berry is the front-runner to fight Kimbo next. I just think Gannon is the better option if he can be convinced to come down from his alleged asking price because too many critics will complain that Berry isn't a legitimate test for Kimbo. Some of those critics will say the same about Gannon but at least the promotion will be able to respond to critics who make that claim with the argument that Gannon once beat Kimbo.
There will also be those that claim that Gannon is nothing more than a glorified street fighter but the truth is that Gannon is a former law enforcement official, has trained MMA at several notable gyms in the Massachusetts area, and even has competed once in the UFC.
The final part of the Gannon equation is whether this is a fight that Slice can perform well in. While Gannon won their street fight, the result was not without controversy and the rematch would be held under MMA rules. Slice's cardio is much improved since he crossed over to MMA and some of the fundamental takedown ability he displayed in his exhibition match against Ray Mercer raises the possibility that he could implement a plan B if he found himself losing the standup exchange.
* Frank Shamrock vs. Renzo Gracie - When EliteXC debuted on SHOWTIME last February a bout featuring the first families of MMA was chosen as its go-to match. If the promotion was confident in Shamrock vs. Gracie as the main event for its first telecast on SHOWTIME, why not go back to it as the co-main event for its first telecast on CBS?
Let me state for the record that I realize the idea of having Shamrock and Kimbo on the same card in a non-PPV situation isn't feasible. Shamrock isn't cheap and his inclusion alone could put the show over budget. You throw Gracie's price tag into the mix and you pretty much walk into a situation where your first CBS show could actually be a money-loser. But it all goes back to the belief that you only get one chance to make a good first impression. There's also the fact that even though EliteXC's deal with CBS is for four fights this year, the reality is that if this doesn't perform in the ratings that there might not be a second show. If the show fails with both Kimbo and Shamrock on it, EliteXC can at least take some comfort in knowing that they left nothing on the table.
Shamrock vs. Gracie II is a way for EliteXC to get ensure that the promotion gets a second franchise player on the card in a match that can easily be sold to the general public. Many critics are going to label vs. Slice vs. Gannon as a street fight in the cage but Shamrock vs. Gracie II brings a certain legitimacy to the show. The concept of having something for everyone was a winning recipe for its successful show in Miami so why not try and use that show as a template?
Getting Renzo to sign on for this show won't be easy because he was the initial choice to face Shamrock in March. Gracie reportedly was not responsive to the idea of fighting Shamrock again and when they couldn't secure him, Cung Le was chosen as Shamrock's opponent for March. But booking Shamrock vs. Gracie II is not only a pre-emptive defense against critics, it's also a way to make sure the Prudential Center (if it's booked) looks full on TV. Gracie has a school in Manhattan and lives in North Jersey and his IFL team drew well at the Izod Center last August during the championship semifinals. My belief is that he'll draw even better if he's fighting as opposed to coaching.
* K.J. Noons vs. Yves Edwards - Noons vs. Edwards fits perfectly into the concept of something for everyone. You've got the grudge match brawl between Gannon vs. Slice, the living legends in Shamrock vs. Gracie, and then a title fight between two athletic fighters that are good on their feet. This is the fight you sell to the hardcores because Noons and Edwards match up well with each other.
You can also sell Noons and Edwards to the general public. Noons is the young guy who has been training in martial arts since a young age. That sends the message to the public that you just can't walk into a dojo one day and a few months later compete at a championship level. Noons is also a reserved guy that has manners. Normally you'd like to see fighters be more outspoken but on a card that features larger than life personalities such as Slice and Shamrock, someone like Noons brings some levity.
Edwards also has a great storyline in that he was once on top of the world but suffered a massive fall from grace. After changing camps he's undergone a resurgence and is on the verge of getting back to the top. The fact that he stayed with MMA when he was down and almost out due to his passion for the sport is definitely the type of thing that could leave a first-time viewer with a positive impression.
Most importantly, the type of fight these two are capable of is the kind of thing that could get people talking about at the water cooler at work on Monday morning.
* Gina Carano vs. Shayna Baszler - Like Gracie vs. Shamrock, EliteXC had enough faith in Carano for their first show and she delivered big-time. It's time to try and catch lightning in a bottle again and nobody is more deserving of a chance in EliteXC to fight Carano than Baszler.
Some might say that presenting female MMA to an audience that will largely be comprised of neophytes is a big risk, but I don't see it that way. Carano's star has increased since her stint during the first season of "American Gladiators" and her fights have all been entertaining. Baszler is without question one of the better female competitors in the sport and there's a chance that a match between the two could actually steal the show.
I also believe that female MMA adds a human element to the show. I can't put my finger on it but there was just something about the Carano vs. Kedzie fight that added legitimacy to the card. I've heard critics say that female fighting is more barbaric than when males fight but a lot of those critics disappeared following the display of class from both Kedzie and Carano. There's also the fact that I believe the best way to win females over as fans is for them to actually see females compete on big shows. I know several females that had negative outlooks towards MMA until they saw either Carano, Baszler, or Tara LaRosa compete.
* Eddie Alvarez vs. Paul Daley - Feasibility is an issue with Gannon and Gracie and it will be with Daley since he's publicly said that he intends to retire after his next fight on March 29. However, in meeting the guy this past January I saw a fighter that was passionate about the sport. My guess is that he's frustrated and that if the right opportunities are presented to him, he'll change his tune. So why not present him with a chance to compete in front of a national audience in the U.S. on CBS in a match to determine the number one contender for EliteXC's lightweight title?
On the flip side, if you look at fighters that have the potential to benefit the most from the additional exposure that CBS will bring, Alvarez has to be at the top of the list. His aggressive style translates well to TV and he has the aura of a star. He came off a big-time during the Jan. 25 ShoXC telecast with the hometown reaction he received in front of the crowd in Atlantic City and he'll look like a star once again if he gets a similar reaction on CBS. Basically, in Alvarez you not only have a guy who is good for TV, but he'll also generate some ticket sales as well since Newark isn't all that far from Alvarez's hometown of Philadelphia.
I also like the fact that Daley called out Alvarez following his win over Sammy Morgan on the same ShoXC card that Alvarez headlined in January. So you have a natural storyline to their fight and their aggressive styles creates the potential for a nice payoff.
The way I see it is that a match between Alvarez and Daley on national TV is a win/win because you're guaranteed that at least one fighter is going to come out of the match a bigger star than he was going into it.
--
Sam Caplan
Lead Writer/Editor - ProElite.com