Reports: EliteXC files bankruptcy, closes doors

EliteXC and Pro Elite appear to be finished, according to multiple reports that surfaced beginning on Monday evening.

Loretta Hunt of Sherdog.com reported that EliteXC fighter Joey Villasenor was notified Monday that his middleweight title bout against Robbie Lawler slated for Nov. 8 on Showtime was off, due to the event being cancelled. Hunt further reported that Icon Sport and Pro Elite executive TJ Thompson said he learned on Monday morning that the company had already filed bankruptcy paperwork and would cease operations entirely by the end of this week.

EliteXC fighter, color commentator and shareholder Frank Shamrock was quote by Dave Meltzer of Yahoo! Sports as saying he'd also heard the news.

“I got a call earlier (Monday) telling me they were shutting down,” Shamrock said. Meltzer added that the representatives of numerous EliteXC fighters had already been in contact with the UFC on Monday in hopes of finding a place for those fighters in that promotion.

EliteXC/Pro Elite has yet to comment publicly on the reports. Neither CBS -- which broadcast three EliteXC events, most recently the Kimbo Slice vs. Seth Petruzelli upset on Oct. 4 -- nor Showtime, which had a show scheduled for Nov. 8 entitled "Night of Champions," have made a public statement.

Waxitos Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 28, 2008	Posted on: October 21, 2008 10:53 am Score: 81 I Wonder What Kimbo Will Do Now? This is certainly an unfortunate situation for EliteXC and their fighters, I can't say this is a big suprise. They built their empire around Kimbo Slice, and it all fell apart in 14 seconds on October 4th. I wonder if a Kimbo victory would have made any difference in the future of this promotion. Does anyone think Kimbo will ever be in the UFC? I mean, he certainly needs alot of work and several undercard fights, but you can't deny this guy's popularity and the money he could pull in for the UFC and Dana White. I don't think we've seen the last of Kimbo Slice. [ Reply to Comment ]
kellernr Reputation: 93 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 13, 2007	Posted on: October 21, 2008 11:27 am Score: 94 Reports: EliteXC files bankruptcy, closes doors White said he won't sign Kimbo to a deal because Kimbo is not a good fighter. [ Reply to Comment ]
SOUTH BAY REP Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 29, 2006	Posted on: October 21, 2008 11:42 am Score: 93 I Wonder What Kimbo Will Do Now? Theres always you-tube! They will take him back!!!! What this fool should of done in the first place is go to Boxing. With boxing, all he has to worry about is his upper body. What made this dude think he can go to the ground, let alone stand tall? O-ya, the money.... [ Reply to Comment ]
bradazz Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Jun 1, 2008	Posted on: October 21, 2008 12:06 pm Score: 93 Reports: EliteXC files bankruptcy, closes doors dana white said that kimbo slice will never be in the ufc. he also said he's not interested in women fighting. [ Reply to Comment ]
c-nice Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 1, 2007	Posted on: October 21, 2008 12:18 pm Score: 90 Reports: EliteXC files bankruptcy, closes doors I wish Kimbo would have won that fight. Then Dana White could sign Kimbo and have him fight Brock Lesnar. Just to have Brock maul him like a bear. Just pick him up and throw him around like a little kid. That would have been sweet but Brock would have KO'd him by accident. Maybe Kimbo can try out for that Fedor reality show. [ Reply to Comment ]
JWSchmidt3 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 7, 2006	Posted on: October 21, 2008 1:20 pm Score: 90 Reports: EliteXC files bankruptcy, closes doors I wouldn't be surprised if Kimbo Slice ends up in a movie or 2, just like The Rock. Kimbo actually doesn't appear to be a bonehead (see Mike Tyson), and I would think he's made a good coin just in the few fights he did, and has a good bit of that money to fall back on. I am an MMA amateur, but will admit that I only watched the 2 CBS events to see Gina and Kimbo. Crush could easily get into "regular" TV or acting if for some odd reason UFC (or other organization) doesn't pick her up, but that's unlikely IMO. Kimbo seems to be fairly intelligent, and could probably succeed in action flicks. Not what the hardcore MMA guys want to hear, but MMA loses a lot of steam with their growth if Kimbo doesn't sign on again. He has that "Tyson" factor, regardless of his ability. Maybe Don King will snatch him up, looking for an easy buck. LOL [ Reply to Comment ]
jmillerdls Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 24, 2006	Posted on: October 21, 2008 1:30 pm Score: 96 Reports: EliteXC files bankruptcy, closes doors This will really have very little impact on the sport at all. EliteXC was going down in flames from the beginning with enormous losses for every single event. They were pretty fortunate to last as long as they did. For better or worse, this sport is still about the UFC, and the UFC has no use for Kimbo who would be near the bottom of their weak HW division. Gina will not find employ at the UFC either as they are never going to introduce a new division for only one or possibly two fighters with star talent. [ Reply to Comment ]
dacoach1122 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 3, 2007	Posted on: October 21, 2008 1:31 pm Score: 93 Who Cares In today's economy...I could care less. To watch two people pound the crud out of eachother is insane. Besides, all I have to do is look outside my window on occasion. I could watch it for free. [ Reply to Comment ]
budgreenbay Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 22, 2007	Posted on: October 21, 2008 1:54 pm Score: 88 Reports: EliteXC files bankruptcy, closes doors About two months ago, Dana White was being interviewed on my morning radio show. He spent about 15 minutes making fun of Kimbo Slice and Tito Ortiz. He summed up quite nicely what he thought about Kimbo, which was that he would never, ever be able to handle himself in the UFC. He went so far as to say that Kimbo wouldn't even stand a chance as a contestant on the Ultimate Fighter, lightweight division, and that he would put money down that Gina Carano would submit him. I kind of agree. Especially after the dissapointing outing he had this month. I would really be surprised to see Kimbo fight in an organized professional league again. EliteXC was relying so heavily on him and he never was able to show any kind of improvement, and on top of that, he got knocked the fcuk out when he is supposed to have an iron chin. I think he has very limited marketability, and will likely be in a backyard near you soon, posting more youtube videos. [ Reply to Comment ]
The Black Mamba Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: May 28, 2008	Posted on: October 21, 2008 1:56 pm Score: 92 Reports: EliteXC files bankruptcy, closes doors Wow!!!! How much did they invest into Kimbo Slice? Dis the actually think a backyard street brawler was going to dominate Mixed Martial Arts! Kimbo entertaining on YouTube but I knew he wouldnt last long! That why UFC wouldnt have anything to do with him. EliteXC is the Enron of MMA. Seth Petruzelli bankrupted a company with one punch. Also you dont have to worry about Kimbo? He has made enough money off Elite XC in just 3 1/2 fights to eat for a while. Smart man! He wasnt to one who told then to make him the face of the organization and gamble all that money on his success!!! [ Reply to Comment ]

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