Strikeforce & EliteXC CREATE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE

[Cromm]

Strikeforce and Elite XC Team Up to Form MMA Powerhouse
Date submitted: 08 February 2007
Submitted by: Strikeforce/ProElite
ELITEXC AND STRIKEFORCE CREATE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE

Strategic Alliance to Take Effect after Shamrock Faces Gracie in EliteXC Debut Telecast on Showtime February 10, 2007 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
LOS ANGELES (February 7, 2007) – ProElite, Inc. (PELE.PK) today announced the creation of a strategic alliance between its EliteXC live events division and Strikeforce, a San Jose, California-based premiere mixed martial arts promotion. The strategic alliance will pave the way for EliteXC and Strikeforce to promote fights together featuring Frank Shamrock following his bout with Renzo Gracie on the debut of EliteXC on SHOWTIME, February 10 at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, MS.

EliteXC and Strikeforce plan to co-promote pay-per-view events beginning with the highly-anticipated showdown between former UFC middleweight champion, Frank Shamrock, and fellow middleweight knockout artist, “The New York Badass” Phil Baroni. The strategic alliance with Strikeforce is the first that EliteXC has formed with another promoter; it was announced by EliteXC President Gary Shaw.

“EliteXC is excited about our new strategic alliance with Strikeforce - one of the leaders in MMA promotion,” said Shaw. “Starting with an event featuring Frank Shamrock, we hope to do many more events together in the future.”

A leader in the mixed martial arts world, Strikeforce broke the all-time record for attendance at a mixed martial arts fight event in North America when it hosted a sellout crowd of 18,265 at San Jose, California’s HP Pavilion, the home of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks.
“Strikeforce has been a successful player in mixed martial arts fight promotions for the last year,” said Scott Coker, President of Strikeforce, “and working with ProElite is a great way to showcase our fighters and this great sport to millions of fans worldwide.”
“The alliance with Strikeforce is a logical move for ProElite as we both share a commitment to creating world-class mixed martial art events.” announced ProElite CEO Douglas DeLuca. ProElite launches on February 10th with “Destiny – Shamrock vs. Gracie” televised live on Showtime at 10pm EST.

Crazy. It is a great move for StrikeForce, and ProElite.

[supermark21]

Finally an american event to challenge the ufc. How deep are there pockets? do they have a real opportunity to get name fighters from other orgs?

[The Sundance Kid]

So they have a fighter exchange Program?

[Cromm]

I have no idea how they will make this work. I would assume they will have match ups between all fighters. It should be some great fights though!

[Rockx]

I see all these new organizations and alliances as a double edged sword:

On the good side more orgs bring more Competition, More fights, better salary for fighters.

The bad side for fans is less good match-ups due to long term contracts.

MMA needs to go to a 1 fight contract system real quick.

[supermark21]

Originally Posted by Rockx

I see all these new organizations and alliances as a double edged sword:

On the good side more orgs bring more Competition, More fights, better salary for fighters.

The bad side for fans is less good match-ups due to long term contracts.

MMA needs to go to a 1 fight contract system real quick.

that would take all the security out for the fighters though...which might make them more aggresive to put on a show...which would improve fights!
I agree with you 100%

[mauladala]

Originally Posted by Rockx

I see all these new organizations and alliances as a double edged sword:

On the good side more orgs bring more Competition, More fights, better salary for fighters.

The bad side for fans is less good match-ups due to long term contracts.

MMA needs to go to a 1 fight contract system real quick.

More organizations also bring about what happened in boxing. Several organizations, several champs, pay disputes, promoter interference, infighting amongst the organizations in the sport, etc. I don't want to have the equivalent of boxing's WBO, WBA, IBF, NABO, IBA, WBF, fuckin etc. They all have their champion (some are one person who attempts to unify) and they all have THEIR ratings for the number one contender. It's bullshit and I'd be pissed to see mma go that way although it looks inevitable.

I understand you have to have competing orgs. and no monopoly, but you can get a very watered down product as orgs. attempt to start a stable. With more orgs. comes corruption too, and unwanted attention from money hungry commercialists. A one fight contract will just promote that as fighter's agents will look to hold out and gouge for money when it's not ultimately about the fuckin money anyway. At least, that's not why the UFC was originally formed (and yes I know that the Ferttita bros. and White want to make a profit).

It would be nice to see every fighter under one or two corporate umbrellas and perhaps those orgs. compete every once in a whlie in a title fight, but that's just a pipe dream. Unless Fishman can actually pull of a purchase of PRIDE and challenge the UFC.

[Bran]

personally i think frank signed the showtime contract knowing full well that Strikeforce would cause a fuss and showtime would cave. i predicted this outcome from the get-go and am glad to see it official.

[the ruler]

I think with both companies joining forces like that they may be able to give the UFC a run for their coin

[mauladala]

Originally Posted by the ruler

I think with both companies joining forces like that they may be able to give the UFC a run for their coin

To what positive effect with PRIDE coming into the U.S.? Do you want to see the best fighters fight the best fighters, or a couple of pretty good to great guys in each stable fighting a can? Think about the ramifications of too many orgs., dude.