The MMA Digest

TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS FRIDAY FOR
ELITEXC’S ‘SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS: LAWLER-SMITH II’
SATURDAY, JULY 26, AT STOCKTON ARENA
____________________________________________________________________

Pre-Sale Continues Today For a Fantastic MMA Card That Inc ludes Lawler-Smith Rematch,
Shields-Thompson EliteXC Title Fight, Diaz-Denny, ‘Big Foot’ Silva and Much, Much More

LOS ANGELES (June 26, 2008) – Fans seeking to participate in the most significant sporting event in the recent history of Stockton, Calif. — an exciting evening of mixed martial arts, which includes two EliteXC world title fights — have the opportunity to reserve their seats now.

Tickets, starting at $35 for the Saturday, July 26 fight card at the Stockton Arena go on sale tomorrow/this Friday, June 27. The pre-sale for tickets continued today/Thursday, June 26. The fight card is presented by Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc .’s live fight division, EliteXC.

Tickets can be purchased at the Stockton Arena Box Office (Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.) and Saturday (noon-4 p.m.), by phone at (209) 373-1700 and (866) 373-7088 (toll free) or online at www.stocktontickets.com. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. PT. The first live fight is at 3:15.

“We’re looking forward to staging this tremendous event at the beautiful Stockton Arena,’’ said Douglas DeLuca, Executive Chairman, ProElite, Inc. “Local fans not only will get a chance to watch some of the best fighters in EliteXC, but some of the best in the world.

“With so many fighters from the area — Nick Diaz ( Stockton ), Scott Smith (Elk Grove) and Jake Shield ( San Francisco ) — Stockton is a perfect fit. We’ll rock the arena and sell it out. This show will appeal to new and established fans, whether they’re in attendance or watching on television.

“The record-breaking numbers for the history-making May 31 CBS telecast said it all. There definitely is a place and a primetime audience for mixed martial arts on network TV. May 31 was a ratings success and Saturday, July 26, on CBS — and SHOWTIME — will be one too. We’re all excited about our lineup for Stockton and working with CBS and SHOWTIME again.’’

EliteXC was the first to present mixed martial arts on a premium network (SHOWTIME) and in primetime on network television (CBS). On Saturday, July 26, EliteXC will offer back-to-back CBS and SHOWTIME telecasts.

The second half of the televised card will be the second mixed martial arts event shown live in primetime on network television.

CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS will air live on the CBS Television Network at 9-11 p.m. ET/PT. The inaugural May 31 broadcast was a ratings success, peaking at 6.51 million viewers.

A four-fight, two-hour CBS broadcast will be preceded by a three-fight, one-hour telecast live on SHOWTIME (8 p.m. ET/PT), which has televised MMA since February 2007. A fight featuring promising heavyweight Antonio “Big Foot” Silva (10-1) will highlight the show.

EliteXC middleweight champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (15-4, 1 NC) of Granite City, Ill., via St. Louis, by way of Davenport, Iowa, and Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith (13-4, 1 NC) will clash in an eagerly awaited rematch in the main event of “Saturday Night Fights: Lawler-Smith II’’ on CBS.

In a second world title fight, Jake Shields (20-4-1) and Nick Thompson (36-9-1) will collide for the vacant EliteXC 170-pound belt. Both fighters are on a roll. Shields has won nine in a row. Thompson, of Minneapolis , has won 12 straight and 21 of 22. Shields hasn’t lost in more than three years, Thompson in more than two. The world title fights are scheduled for five, five-minute rounds.

With a likely grudge rematch with EliteXC lightweight champion KJ Noons hanging in the balance, hometown hero Nick Diaz will seek his third victory in three months when he faces Thomas “Wildman’’ Denny (26-16) in one of the two, three-round, five-minute scraps on CBS.

Other matchups will be announced in the near future. Fans can watch pre- and post-fight interviews at ProElite.com (see Fighter Pages below).

The crowd-pleasing Lawler and the hard-hitting Smith fought May 31 on CBS in Newark, N.J. To the dismay of the fighters and some fans, a hotly contested, dead even fight seemingly on its way to becoming an instant classic ended in a controversial No Contest.

A thriller in which both had won a round was halted, some insist prematurely, at 3:26 of the third round after Smith was accidentally poked in the eye and deemed unable to continue. Despite his pleas to the contrary, the fight was called by cage-side doctors.

A disappointing, unsatisfactory conclusion made an immediate rematch almost automatic. Lawler and Smith do indeed have unfinished business.

“I’m looking forward to fighting him again,’’ said the soft-spoken, serious-minded Lawler, who captured the EliteXC 185-pound belt with a dramatic, convincing third-round TKO (strikes) over defending champion Murilo “Ninja” Rua on Sept. 15, 2007, in Honolulu on SHOWTIME.

“Smith is a tough guy, but I felt pretty good out there and thought I was winning. It’s too bad it ended that way.’’

Said Smith, who owns a gym in Sacramento: “Neither one of us wanted the fight to end that way, so we definitely have some unfinished business we need to take care of. I wanted to continue fighting. I’m more confident going into this rematch than I was going into the first fight. It will be exciting fighting so close to home. Elk Grove is literally just a few minutes from Stockton.’’

Fighting twice in seven weeks will not be a factor for Lawler. “Timing-wise, it is fine for me,’’ said a determined, dedicated, always dangerous southpaw who is known for aggressiveness and a swing-for-the-fences style, but has performed with intelligence and poise in recent outings.

“I was good for the last one, but I’ll be great for this one,” Lawler added. “I’ll be faster and stronger. I’ve been in the gym almost every day since the first fight. Every fight for me is equal to the other. They are all big, at the time. I’m ready to go.’’

Smith is a “freestyle” fighter and knockout artist who comes out throwing bombs with an abandon that’s made him a huge fan favorite. Aptly nicknamed “Hands Of Steel’’ — he’s a union field foreman in his family’s steel business – Smith has won 13 of his 15 fights by KO or TKO.

But one of the most dangerous strikers in the business also owns a strong wrestling background and possesses terrific cardio. “I train hard in all aspects of the game,’’ Smith said.

Smith, who says the foot he injured against Lawler is “100 percent,’’ detests fights that go the distance. So one only can imagine what he may have been thinking when the fight with Lawler ended like it did. “Not once did I ever say, ‘I want to stop this fight’ ’’ Smith said.

“I’m too smart and experienced for that. I was just blown away when it was stopped.’’

The Shields-Thompson matchup to decide the first EliteXC welterweight belt-holder should be a fantastic technical fight between two of the best all-around fighters in the world at 170. Those tuning in to CBS will see a different-type style matchup than they saw on May 31.

For Shields, a life-long vegetarian who was raised in a remote area in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California, the shot at the EliteXC crown has been a long time coming.

“This is my dream come true. I’m really excited,’’ said Shields, a former college wrestler at San Francisco State and now a Cesar Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt. Shields has notable triumphs over Yushin Okami, Dave Menne, Hayato Sakurai and Carlos Condit.

“This is really a great fight. Nick’s definitely a great opponent. I respect him. He’s experienced, game and very tough. It’ll be exciting fighting so close to home in Stockton in front of friends and family, but I know I will have my work cut out.’’

Due to a couple of postponements and a back injury, Shields will be making his first start since he defeated Mike Pyle at EliteXC’s event on Nov. 10, 2007 on SHOWTIME.

“There will be no excuses. My back is 100 percent,” said Shields, who’s unbeaten since December 2004. “I struggled with it a lot longer than I wanted, but I knew if I was patient and did the right things my time would come. In a way it was a blessing. Now, I am more motivated than ever.”

Thompson is the third fighter from Minneapolis to appear on CBS, joining Brett Rogers and Kaitlin Young, who fought on the historic May 31 event.

The last Bodog welterweight belt-holder, Thompson is experienced and certainly no easy mark. For sure, his work rate can’t be faulted. Amazingly, this will be his 47^th fight since he turned pro less than five and half years ago. He hasn’t been defeated since April 2006. In his last start, he scored a second-round submission (kimura) over Michael Costa on June 8, 2008.

“A fight with Jake has been my No. 1 choice for a long time,” said Thompson, who owns a victory over highly regarded Eddie Alvarez and also has whipped the likes of Chris Wilson, Josh Neer and Brian Gassaway. “I think we both wanted this fight. That the fight is on CBS is a huge opportunity exposure-wise and an added bonus.’’

Diaz is a true hard-core MMA fighter who’s willing to “fight anybody who thinks they’re better than me.’’ On June 14, he scored a third-round TKO over Muhsin Corbbrey one fight before Noons retained his crown by demolishing Yves Edwards in 48 seconds on SHOWTIME.

After the Noons’ fight, Diaz was invited inside the cage to discuss a rematch but heated words were exchanged and a scuffle between the fighters’ camps ensued. “I’m not a punk. I did not start it,’’ Diaz said. “Noons is a poser. His side started it. I was just doing my job.’’

Diaz wants desperately to settle the score with Noons, who won their first fight and the EliteXC title by TKO (cuts) on Nov. 10, 2007, on SHOWTIME. It was a result that did not sit well with Diaz or some fans and the smack talk has escalated ever since.

“Everybody knows the deal with Noons and the kind of guy he is,’’ Diaz said. “But my focus is only on this fight. KJ knows his days are numbered. He can’t run from me forever.’’

A colorful fighter known for wild and crazy hairstyles, Denny, of Victorville, Calif., via Huntington Beach, Calif., is a crowd-pleasing, crafty veteran who has won four of his last five.

Denny, who likes to keep it on the ground, specializes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling and Muay Thai kickboxing. His self-proclaimed signature moves are “knees and elbows.’’ But, mostly, Denny likes to “give pain. I like to make my opponent suffer.’’

A former King of the Cage champion, Denny is coming off a first-round disqualification victory over Malaipet on March 21, 2008, on ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series. Denny had mostly totally dominated until Malaipet was DQ’d for illegal elbows to the back of the head.

The outspoken, oft-misunderstood Diaz has drawn both criticism and praise for his “tough guy’’ tirades, but Denny does not seem to mind. “I think his antics are entertaining, but it will be more entertaining when I punch him in the face,’’ he said.

Silva is coming off a hard-fought, three-round split decision victory over former champion Ricco Rodriguez on Feb. 16, 2008, on SHOWTIME. Silva, whose initial nine victories had come in the first round, won by the scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 28-29.

“I know I can fight better than I did the last time,’’ said Silva, who possesses excellent striking and grappling skills and moves extremely well for a fighter his size. “My goal is to prove I’m the No. 1 heavyweight in the world. I want that heavyweight title belt.”

THE NEXT “CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS”
TO BE BROADCAST JULY 26 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

In a Rematch of their Recent Controversial Title Fight on CBS,
EliteXC Middleweight Champion Robbie Lawler Will Defend Against Scott Smith, While Jake Shields Squares off Against Nick Thompson For the Vacant EliteXC Welterweight Belt

CBS to Broadcast Four Live Fights (Including Two Title Fights) From 9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT; SHOWTIME to Televise Three Live Fights (Including EliteXC Heavyweight Title Fight) from 8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT

LOS ANGELES, June 25 — CBS and EliteXC announced today that the next CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS will be broadcast live from the Stockton Arena in Stockton, Calif. on Saturday, July 26 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.  The four-fight broadcast will be highlighted by the highly anticipated rematch between “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler and Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith for the EliteXC Middleweight Title.

 The night of mixed martial action will begin with three live fights on SHOWTIME (8:00-9:00 PT, ET/PT) including an EliteXC Heavyweight Championship match featuring Antonio “Big Foot” Silva.

 “One venue, two networks and seven exciting world class fights adds up to an entertaining and memorable mixed martial arts event in prime time,” said Doug DeLuca, Executive Chairman, ProElite, Inc.

 In a rematch of their exciting, controversial first fight on May 31 on CBS, Lawler, the EliteXC middleweight champion from St. Louis by way of Davenport , Iowa, will put his title on the line once again against hard-hitting challenger Smith of Elk Grove, Calif.  Their last meeting, a fight that many called the fight of the night, ended in controversy when doctors called the fight after Smith caught an unintentional finger in the eye late in the third round. Smith claimed he was ready to continue, but the fight was stopped and declared a no contest.   

 In a second world title fight on CBS, two of the sports’ most talented welterweights will collide when San Francisco’s Jake Shields, who has won nine in a row, gets his long awaited shot at a world title when he squares off against Nick Thompson of Minneapolis, Minn., who has won 12 straight and 20 of his last 21 fights, for the vacant EliteXC 170-pound belt. 

 The world title fights are scheduled for five, five-minute rounds.      

 Also on CBS, hometown favorite Nick Diaz of Stockton , Calif.  will face Thomas “Wildman” Denny of Hesperia , Calif.   The talented Diaz, who will be seeking his third victory in three months, needs a win to stay in the hunt for a potential rematch with ElliteXC lightweight champion KJ Noons. Denny, a winner in four of his last five fights, is coming off a first-round disqualification victory over the highly regarded Malaipet on March 21, 2008.        

  The remaining primetime match-ups for the CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS on July 26 will be announced at a later date.   The SHOWTIME match-ups also will be announced in the near future.

 CBS Sports play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson, cageside analysts Frank Shamrock and Mauro Ranallo, and reporter Karyn Bryant will return as the “CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS” broadcast team and also have the call for the SHOWTIME telecast.

 CBS’s inaugural mixed martial arts broadcast on May 31, 2008 dominated its time period in all key young men and young adult demographics. The total viewership increased throughout the night, peaking at 6.51m viewers for the Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson fight.  The entire broadcast (9:00-11:51 PM) averaged 4.85m viewers. 

 The intense nature of the contests and the theatrical elements of its live events have made mixed martial arts one of the fastest growing spectator sports in the U.S. Over the last several years, the genre has seen tremendous growth in popularity, especially among the coveted 18-34 demographic.

 Mixed martial arts is a sport evolved from a number of ancient combat disciplines including judo, jiu-jitsu, karate, wrestling and kickboxing. World-class athletes engage in hand-to-hand combat in a ring — both caged and traditional — and must adapt their fighting style to fit their opponent. The wide variety of styles and techniques make every event an unpredictable spectacle.

 CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS will be produced by SHOWTIME Sports. The executive producer is David Dinkins, Jr.

 For more information on CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS, visit cbssports.com

Photos: EliteXC/Tom Casino

Before a sellout crowd of 6,187 that produced the single largest gate in the history of the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami, Kimbo Slice registered a spectacular 43-second, first-round knockout over David “Tank” Abbott Saturday on SHOWTIME.

The exciting event, which was presented by Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc.’s EliteXC, aired on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). It will be replayed a few times in the next several days, including Wednesday on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (full replay schedule below).

As far as homecomings go, it doesn’t get better than this, as the incredibly popular Pride of Perrine, Fla, gave the raucous but well-behaved fans what they came to see: a devastating knockout win.

A YouTube legend and legitimate Mixed Martial Arts superstar, Kimbo’s performance put an exclamation point on what was an excellent night of MMA action.

“We promised the fans a good, classy show and we delivered a great one,’’ said “EliteXC Live Events President and University of Miami alum, Gary Shaw. “EliteXC showed tonight, once again, what MMA is all about. There were great fights with dramatic finishes, a little bit of everything for everybody.

“As a promoter, you want the fans to leave with a good taste, and I truly believe that each and every person in attendance here tonight left the venue happy and completely satisfied.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the athletes, who acted like world champions before, during and afterward, or the fans, who turned out in record numbers. We look forward to returning to Miami again.

“This was just a tremendously exciting night from start to finish. Honestly, I don’t think any organization puts on better, more competitive fights that we do.’’

Kimbo (2-0), who may indeed be more popular than sliced bread, wowed the crowd en route to demolishing Abbott, an MMA icon who entered the cage to win. But Tank spent more time on the ground than on his feet, going down three times from legitimate punches and a couple other times from slips.

“I wanted him to get up, I wanted to bang,’’ Kimbo (http://kimboslice.proelite.com) said. “I had to push him off because we were too close. Then I just knocked him down. It was great fighting in front of the hometown fans. I’d be lying if I told you they didn’t jack me up. Miami, you are my home.

“I have a lot of respect for Tank. This was one of my dream fights, along with Mike Tyson. But I am ready to fight anybody and ready to fight again really soon.

“I want to thank SHOWTIME and EliteXC for making this night possible for me and my family.”

Abbott (9-14), of Huntington Beach, Calif., gave it his all, as expected. “I tried to take it to him at the start and take him to the ground, but then I just said, the heck with that and started to fight,’’ Tank (http://tankabbott.proelite.com) said. “But I ran into one and that was it. I was just getting started.

“It is still too early to know how good or great Kimbo will be. But what I do know is that I absolutely want to keep fighting. Maybe I will go after Ken Shamrock.’’

In other SHOWTIME fights Saturday, Antonio “Big Foot” Silva (10-1), a highly touted Brazilian who lives in Coconut Creek, Fla., recorded a hard-fought three-round split decision over former champion Ricco Rodriguez (27-8), of Staten Island, N.Y., unbeaten Brett Rogers (8-0), of St. Paul, Minn., blasted out England’s James “The Colossus” Thompson (16-8) in the first round, Scott “Hands Of Steel’’ Smith (15-4), of Sacramento, Calif., knocked out Australian Kyle “The Ozzie” Noke (14-4-1), the bodyguard of the late Steve “Crocodile Hunter’’ Irwin, in the second round and Yves Edwards (33-13-1), of Conroe, Tex., stopped Edson “Little Tiger” Berto (14-5-1), of Tampa, Fla., in the opening session.

In non-televised undercard fights that aired for free on the leading MMA internet site, ProElite.com: Moyses Gabin (2-0), of Miami, registered a 2:32, first-round knockout over Jirka Hlavaty (1-2), of Miami, Lorenzo Borgameo (3-0), of Miami, won by submission (triangle) at 4:11 of the second round over Mike Bernhard (3-1), of Miami; Eric Bradley (3-1), of Las Vegas, Nev., took a unanimous decision over Mikey Gomez (6-4), of Orlando, Fla.; Dave Herman (10-0), of Indiana, scored a third-round TKO over Mario Rinaldi (6-3), of Miami, Yosmany Cabezas (5-0), of Tampa, Fla., won by second-round submission (rear naked choke) over Jon Kirk (10-3), of Houston, and Rafael Feijao (4-1), of Brazil, knocked out John Doyle (6-2), of Allentown, Pa., at 2:17 of the first round. (Fighter pages below).

All the fights were scheduled for three, 5-minute rounds.

Silva (http://antoniosilva.proelite.com), whose initial nine victories had come in the first round, got the nod on two of the judges’ cards by the scores of 30-27 and 29-28. The third judge had it for Rodriguez, 29-28.

“Ricco is a dangerous fighter,’’ said Silva, who was making his second start since dropping down after competing as a 300-pound super heavyweight. “I knew it was going to be a tough fight. I fought hard and came out with a victory, but it was a difficult fight for me.

“I want that belt. I am sorry that this was not the best night of fighting for me, but I promise I will deliver in my next bout. I want that heavyweight title.”

Rodriguez (http://riccorodriguez.proelite.com) entered the cage with a vast advantage in experience, having fought and defeated some of the biggest names in MMA, including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria, Tim Sylvia, Jeff Monson, Andrei Arlovski, Pete Wilson and Randy Couture.

“The reality is, I didn’t train as long for this fight as I needed to, but I think I showed that I am still dedicated and can fight,’’ Rodriguez said. “I am in this for the long haul and appreciate the opportunity EliteXC is giving me. I wouldn’t be surprised if we fought a rematch. I would love to fight Silva again.’’

Smith (http://scottmith.proelite.com), who has won all 16 of his fights inside the distance, knocked out Noke in devastating fashion. After losing the first round, he came out blazing in the second. Two brutal right hands did all the damage. The referee halted matters at 0:07 of the round.

“I’m sorry for that first round, that’s not the way I fight,” Smith said. “I didn’t start to get comfortable until toward the end of the round.

“When I got to my corner between rounds, I told my trainer that I had found my range. I came out pumped and made up for it. I was fighting way too much on the outside, but once I got inside — bam, I knocked him down.”

Noke (http://kyle-noke.proelite.com) had a four-fight unbeaten streak (3-0-1) end. “This is a different feeling for me,’’ he said. “I’ve never been knocked out by a punch before. I felt good after the first round, but I got caught in the second. Scott is a good, strong fighter.”

Edwards (http://yvesedwards.proelite.com) earned his fourth consecutive victory by knocking out Berto with a knee and punch combination at 4:56 of the first round. Berto (http://edsonberto.proelite.com) had a three-fight winning streak snapped.

“I am back and ready to fight anybody,’’ Edwards said. “I’d love to fight (EliteXC lightweight champion KJ) Noons. He’s the guy with the gold. If you’re not doing this to be a world champion, you better do something else.’’

In an upset in the first SHOWTIME fight, the hard-hitting Rogers (http://brettrogers.proelite.com) spoiled the United States debut of Thompson, bringing “Colossus” down to size with a flurry of powerful combinations at 2:24 of the first round.

“I don’t think I have to say anything; it showed for itself,” Rogers said. “He’s got a weak chin and I knew it was going to happen.

“All he kept trying to do was wrestle me to the ground. I got back up and I knocked him out. When I touch him, he’s going down. There’s going to be more of Brett Rogers on EliteXC.”

Thompson (http://jamesthompson.proelite.com) offered no excuses. “He caught me with good punches,” he said. “He hits a lot harder than I thought. I’m very disappointed. My confidence isn’t where it should be or where I would like it to be since after my last fight. I would fight him again in a rematch.’’

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Photos: Tom Casino/Elite XC

Kimbo Slice (left), EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw, and Tank Abbott pose after Friday’s weigh-in at the Holiday Inn at Coral Gables, Fla. Kimbo takes on Tank in EliteXC’s eagerly anticipated main event Saturday at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami.

Antonio “Big Foot” Silva (left), Shaw and Ricco Rodriguez pose after the weigh-in.

Scott Smith (left) and Kyle Noke square off Friday.

With Shaw the man in the middle, Edson Berto (left) squares off with Yves Edwards after the weigh-in on Friday.

James Thompson (left) and Brett Rogers face off after the weigh-in.

All Photos: TOM CASINO/EliteXC

In what will be a thrilling and entertaining heavyweight fight for as long as it lasts, the incredibly popular Pride of Perrine, Fla., Kimbo Slice (1-0), will face hard-hitting Mixed Martial Arts icon, David “Tank’’ Abbott (9-13), of Huntington Beach, Calif., in a must-see showdown this Saturday, Feb. 16, at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami.

Tickets for this 11-bout event, presented by Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc.’s EliteXC, start at $35 and are available at Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com and at the BankUnited Box Office at the University of Miami. Doors open at 7 p.m. The first fight is 7:30.

SHOWTIME will televise five fights including the long-awaited, eagerly anticipated Kimbo-Tank confrontation live at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), while six non-televised undercard bouts will be streamed live on the leading MMA internet site, ProElite.com.

In addition to Kimbo-Tank, the SHOWTIME telecast will include: Antonio “Big Foot” Silva (9-1), a highly touted Brazilian who lives in Coconut Creek, Fla.,  and is considered one of the world’s top heavyweights, versus former champion Ricco Rodriguez (27-7), of Staten Island, N.Y., England’s James “The Colossus” Thompson (16-7) battles unbeaten Brett Rogers (7-0) of  St. Paul, Minn., in a heavyweight match, Australian Kyle “The Ozzie” Noke (14-3-1), the bodyguard of the late Steve “Crocodile Hunter’’ Irwin, meets Scott “Hands Of Steel’’ Smith (14-4), of Sacramento, Calif., in a terrific scrap at 185 pounds; and Edson “Little Tiger” Berto (14-4-1), of Tampa, Fla., faces Yves Edwards (32-13-1) of Conroe, Tex., in a fight at 160 pounds.

A non-televised undercard streamed live at ProElite.com will include: Rafael Feijao (4-1), of Brazil, vs. John Doyle (6-2), of Allentown, Pa., at 205; Mike Bernhard (3-0), of Miami, vs. Lorenzo Borgameo (2-0), of Miami, at 170; Eric Bradley (2-1), of Las Vegas, Nev., vs. Mikey Gomez (6-3), of Orlando, Fla., at 170; Mario Rinaldi (6-2), of Miami, vs. Dave Herman (9-0) of Indiana at 265; Jon Kirk (10-2), of Houston, vs. Yosmany Cabezas (4-0), of Tampa, Fla., at 185 pounds, and Moyses Gabin (1-0), of Miami, vs. Jirka Hlavaty (1-1), of Miami, at 265.

In addition to the fights being streamed live, fans can watch pre- and post-fight interviews on ProElite.com. The 11 contests are scheduled for three, 5-minute rounds. Note: Fighter pages for televised and non-televised bouts are below.

KIMBO SLICE

“Tank is full of (poop) if he thinks I can’t take his punches. I’m bringing the whole thing to the cage.  I am bringing the hood with me to this cage. 

 

“This fight means a lot to not only me but the entire city. This is big time. That is why I am going to break his rib, break his nose, break his arm.

 

“Mentally, I’m going to have to bring some extra earmuffs to try and stay focused.  The crowd is going to go crazy, but I am going to have to stay focused. 

 

“There are a lot of things in my arsenal I am going to try to use. If he’s a tad bit slow, I’m going to hurt him. I’ve trained with the best.  It is going to be a long fight for him, or a short night.  

 

“There is no extra pressure to get the KO. Nothing concerns me with Tank.  I’m not overly concerned at all.  I am prepared for whatever he is going to do. 

 

“My family drives me to succeed. As long as I have all my limbs there is going to be a way. The right hand is for his top lip, the left hand is for his bottom lip. 

 

“Bas (Rutten) is a mentor of mine.  Anything Tank has to say about Bas, I am going to take it personal. I am going to make him pay for his words. 

 

“Tank has a very big mouth. He needs to be careful about what he says. We take a lot of things personal. I just hope I don’t run into him before the fight starts.  I want to settle this in the cage. 

 

Kimbo (left) and Tank Abbott eye each other after Thursday’s final press conference at Bernie Kosar’s Steakhouse in Miami, Fla.

 

TANK ABBOTT

“Training has just evolved for this fight more than for any of my other opponents.  I have taken it very seriously. 

 

“Kimbo is tough streetwise, but he is behind the times as far as putting it all together. The only thing he has done that is only remotely close to me is he has been in a few street fights. And I don’t even consider those fights.

 

“Kimbo is going to get hurt, that’s for sure.  The way I am and the shape I’m in right now I can’t fathom a human being who can take five minutes of my shots.  I am on fire right now.    

 

“I think it is funny that he’s got Bas Rutten to train him.  This is a real fight, not a slap-fest.  He should have gotten a real fighter to train him. Training with Bas is better than nothing.  But you either have it or you don’t.  Technique doesn’t make you tough.

 

“I think the guy has guts and heart.  But as far as toughness, you either have it or you don’t.  You can’t teach toughness. 

 

 “I think Kimbo’s motivation is to be on TV or on the Internet.  I think that is why he fights. Me? I have been in over 200 street fights to various degrees, ranging from knocking a guy out at a stop light to sending someone to the ICU for a week. I fight because I love it. 

 

“There’s nothing he can do, barring a lucky punch, to beat me. I’ve been wrestling, grappling, fighting — you name it — for 20 years. What’s he going to do?  There’s nothing about his game that worries me. This is what I love to do.  I like to fight.  I like it because I can’t go to jail for it. 

 

“If you make a strategy to fight someone you are developing little crutches for yourself.  I don’t have a plan.

 

“It’s just going to be a beating, unless something bizarre happens.  Where I am right now there is no man alive who can take five minutes of my punches.

 

“Everybody gives me (poop) about my shape. I can do 15 minutes on my head holding my breath.

 

ANTONIO SILVA

“My opponent is a talented fighter.  I am very excited and really anticipating the fight. Saturday night is going to be a great stepping stone for my career. 

 

“I have prepared for Ricco at his best and I expect him to be in his best physical shape. I watch his last fight against Ben Rothwell every night.  I think I have better mat work than Rothwell. 

 

“I would like to show the public what some may consider impossible, and that is to beat a ground fighter on the ground.  If I have an opportunity to submit him, I will. I know he has a good ground game, but if I need to use my ground skills, I will. 

 

“I have practiced a lot on the bottom and on the top.  I will take what Ricco gives me.  I think that Ricco has improved a lot since his last fight, but I have come to knock him out.

 

“I found it very unprofessional when he spit on Rothwell, but I have respect for him.  I hope he doesn’t try to do that to me, but if he does try that they will need three referees instead of one to take me off him. 

 

“I have a long path to run in the heavyweight division.  The goal is to be the No. 1 in the world.  I am working toward that now.

 

“I feel great fighting at 265 pounds.  I’m comfortable. I am well prepared.  I want to give a good fight to the fans.”

 

Antonio Silva (left) and Ricco Rodriguez square off after the press conference.

 

RICCO RODRIGUEZ

“I don’t know about Antonio’s system, but I know about my system. Training is going well.  I am right at 265 pounds. 

 

“Win or lose, six months from now Antonio and I will be fighting again, probably for a title.  We are the two best fighters in this organization right now.  Tank and Kimbo are just tomato cans.  We are the two real fighters. 

 

“I don’t see this fight going the distance, but if it does I will be very impressed.

 

“This guy is amazing.  He does everything.  I’m going to bang and I’ll just start swinging.  I don’t know how the fight is going to go, but I am going to come out like I always do. 

 

“The truth is the guy is a stud.  He can fight anyone in the world. 

 

“This fight is a mirror match. There is nothing in his arsenal that I don’t use or have. He is a better fighter than Rothwell all around. (But) No one has brought the heat to him yet. 

 

“Setting the tempo first is going to be huge in this fight.  Whoever takes the center of the cage is going to be calling the shots. 

 

“I don’t care if I get clobbered or if I go 15 minutes. I just don’t want to get knocked out. Kicks, punches, everything is going to hurt. He’s capable of doing some damage and he’s going to be bringing it.

 

“It’s one of those fights you might win, but you will still be walking away from that cage hurt. 

 

 “I am confident in my striking. This is going to be the most technical fight of the night.  I’m just hoping it doesn’t end in the first minute. The only way I am going to win is by a knockout.  I’m banging.  This is ground and pound.  The key to this fight is position over submission.

 

“I’m just happy to be working for a big time show.”

 

EDSON BERTO

“It doesn’t matter how the fight goes, I can take it all.  We’re going to stand up and bang. I probably have better hands than him. He may try to take it to the ground, but I’m ready. 

 

“This is a tough fight.  I respect him a lot. I looked up to him, but once we get in the ring I am trying to win.   

 

“When I get in the ring I don’t see Yves Edwards.  I see someone who is standing in my way, someone I have to beat. 

 

Yves Edwards (left) and Edson Berto pose after the press conference.

 

YVES EDWARDS

“Training with American Top Team is great for me. 

 

“I am motivated to leave this sport with a legacy.  Twenty years from now I want people to look back at the sport and remember me.  I want kids to look at me like they looked at Sonny Liston.

 

“I want the title to say Yves Edwards, champion of the world.  I want to fight everyone, and of course, I want to fight the best.  Those are the guys that motivate me.

 

“You can’t judge any fighter by a grouping of fights.  It is unprecedented for me to lose three fights in a row, but I am doing everything it takes to come back on top. 

 

“Six months from now, I want to be on a five fight winning streak. About a year from now, I want to be back in the top 10.  A year after that I want to be the man that everyone wants to beat.

 

“I’m expecting to see the best out of Berto. I want to get to the top of the world and he’s standing in my way. I can’t see past him, so I’ll have to beat him on Saturday to get to where I need to be. 

 

“I don’t think you have seen the best of me yet.  In the past I have given fans the best of me, but that was my best back then. There are still a lot more surprises in my bag of tricks and I feel I have gotten a lot better.  Don’t blink or you are going to miss something amazing. 

 

“It doesn’t matter where the fight goes. I feel that I am more skilled than he is.  He is going to fail at a lot of his takedown attempts. I am a better stand up fighter than him and if it goes to the ground, I will prove that I am better at Jiu-Jitsu than him. 

JAMES THOMPSON

“Brett Rogers is a big guy, a strong guy.  He has quick hands, but I’m not sure if he has been challenged yet.  He has only fought seven fights, and I am the biggest of his career. 

 

“I have been training hard with Randy Couture.  I am more than ready for Saturday night.

 

“I am more well-rounded than I have ever been.  Being able to spar and train with people who are actually my weight class is a huge advantage. 

 

“Rogers is dangerous, but he’s someone I should beat. I am looking forward to it. I’ve moved base, I’ve moved teams. I’ve accepted responsibility for my losses. Now I need to move forward. 

 

“I am more refined as a fighter now, but I will still keep the basic instinct that I have in the cage.  I am aggressive, that is just my nature.

 

“This is a new start, a new promotion and a new team.  I am very excited about fighting on EliteXC.  I will not disappoint.”

 

James Thompson (left) and Brett Rogers square off.

BRETT ROGERS

“I’ve seen tape on him. He doesn’t have a chance. He has the experience. He may have had a couple of bad nights, but I’m not thinking he’s a pushover.

 

“But at the same time, I know I have skills and I know I will win. Everybody wants to see the KOs, and I want to be the guy who can deliver them. 

 

“This fight seems like a natural progression.  This is my opportunity to put myself on the map. 

 

“I am a pretty good shot blocker and I’ll dance in circles until he slows down.  I will dictate the pace. If I fall on the ground I am going to be comfortable.  I use the groundwork as a defense to get back to standing up.

 

KYLE NOKE

“There are no easy fights.  This is a long way to come for a fight from Australia , so I want to be tested every time I come here.  I think this is going to be a great test for me. 

 

“My wrestling has improved since my last fight. My takedowns and takedown defense has improved so I am more well-rounded. I don’t expect to be taken to the ground in this fight though.  I expect him to keep it standing up. 

 

“It is going to be a good, hard fight.  I’m just going to go in there and fight. 

 

“I try and improve myself for each fight.  I want to put in a good show for the crowd. 

 

“I don’t know where I stand in the division in EliteXC. It is stacked all the way through. After this fight, it will be a good judge for me to see where I am in this division. If my training team tells me I’m ready for a fight, I’m ready for a fight. I’ll fight whoever they tell me to.” 

 

Scott Smith (left) and Kyle Noke face off Thursday.

 

SCOTT SMITH
“I’m very excited about the fight and want to thank everyone involved. I am looking forward to this opportunity.  I’m facing a very tough opponent but I’m confident I can come out with a win.

“EliteXC is loaded in the middleweight division, and I am making my debut against one of their best.  If I can get past Noke, I have a chance to compete with the best in the business.

“Training has been going great.  I am prepared to fight in whatever way my opponent wants to go.  My stand up skills are strong, but I am always prepared to take the fight to the ground.’’

Anderson Silva makes an appearance 6 days after his fight with Dan Henderson, at the Minnesotan MMA event at Myth night club in St. Paul. Whether or not he’ll be champ at the time depends on the outcome of his bout with Henderson.

Fresh off a 19-second first-round knockout in his MMA debut,  Kimbo Slice will face David “Tank” Abbott in what figures to be an slugfest in the EliteXC main event on Saturday, Feb. 16, at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami.

The fight card, announced today by EliteXC Live Events President, Gary Shaw, will also feature the top female draw in MMA, Gina Carano, highly regarded, top-notch heavyweights Antonio “Big Foot” Silva and James “The Colossus” Thompson (in separate bouts) and a matchup between 185-pounders Scott Smith and Kyle “KO” Noke.

The card will be televised on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Photo: ProElite.com

KJ Noons defeated Nick Diaz via TKO stoppage from cuts at the end of round 1, while Kimbo Slice took 19 seconds to score the TKO over Bo Cantrell in heavyweight action. Jake Shields submitted Mike Pyle via rear naked choke, Antonio Silva and Yves Edwards also were victorious via rear naked choke.

Antonio “Big Foot” Silva (8-1) of Brazil has been medically cleared to return to the cage. He will fight for the first time since February when he collides with Jonathan Wiezorek (11-1) in one of Saturday’s top fights at the American Bank Center Arena in Corpus, Christi, Tex., on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

“We are really excited about ‘Big Foot’ getting the green light,” EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw said. “He has been cleared to fight in Texas. He went to the best neurosurgeons in the world, had a procedure done and now he is set.

“I am very happy for him. I believe he is the No. 1 heavyweight in the world and look forward to giving him the opportunity to prove it.”

The six-foot-four-inch Silva (antoniosilva.proelite.com) is not concerned with the layoff.

“I am not worried about anything. It is great to be back and I feel great,” he said. “I know my opponent is tough with a good record, but, if anything, he should be worried about me.

“I have dropped from 290 pounds to 265, which was what I had planned all along. I feel quicker, faster.

“I believe my best days are ahead of me. I want to stay active. I am not overlooking Wiezorek, but I would be comfortable fighting any of the biggest-named fighters right now.

“My goal is to prove that I am the No. 1 heavyweight in the world.”

Nick Diaz will take on KJ Noons for the EliteXC world lightweight title in the main event at the American Bank Center Arena in Corpus Christi, Tex., this Saturday, Nov. 10, on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

Kimbo Slice, a legendary underground bare-knuckle fighter who’s videos have been downloaded in excess of 10 million times – and counting — on YouTube, will make his EliteXC debut against Bo “Redrum’’ Cantrell in an eagerly anticipated Special Attraction.

Saturday’s co-feature on Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, presents “EliteXC: Renegade’’ will match Jake Shields against Mike “Quicksand” Pyle.

In other SHOWTIME-televised fights, Kyle Noke will make his EliteXC debut against “Doctor” Seth “Mass Destruction’’ Kleinbeck and Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva will take on Jonathan Wiezorek.

Saturday’s scheduled non-televised, undercard fights that will be available on ProElite.com the week of Nov. 12 include: Geoff Bumstead vs. Robert Ruiz; Yves Edwards vs. Nick Gonzalez; Jon Kirk vs. Matt Lucas; Ralph Kelly vs. Brett Rogers; and Jae Sok Lim vs. Daniel Pineda.

With the exception of Diaz-Noons, which is scheduled for five, 5-minute rounds, the fights are three, 5-minute rounds. The event will begin at 7 p.m. CT.
KIMBO

“The time is getting near for me being able to do what I really like to do, and that’s fight. I am definitely ready to fight somebody.

“It’s not that I dislike doing interviews, but it is something I need to learn to get used to and get more comfortable doing. It is not personal. I am just trying to focus on my fight and trying to avoid distractions. But I know doing interviews before a fight is part of my job.

“This fight is not just about me. It is for my team that has worked so hard to get me ready. Of course, I wish it was Saturday now. I am definitely ready to hit somebody.’’

BO CANTRELL

“I am not intimidated at all. This is not my first rodeo. This is more than a fight; it is like a title fight. Kimbo is getting a lot of attention so a victory would obviously be great for me.

“I am just coming out to do my job. There is no pressure on me whatsoever. Let’s see how he deals with the pressure and against someone who can get off first. I am ready too welcome Kimbo into the world of MMA.’’

NICK DIAZ

“I want to thank everyone involved for making this fight happen, and I want to thank all my training partners for getting me ready. I want to thank Gary Shaw for bringing me back.

“I am ready to go and it is going to be a great fight. Everybody is going to see a good show.

“No way I give up. You are going to have to knock me out to win.’’

KJ NOONS

“Nick is a great fighter, but this is my chance to show that I am truly a great fighter too. I am coming into this fight perfectly. I could not have asked for a better camp. The hand I broke in my last fight is fine.

“The fans are in for a great night of fights. My fight with Nick can’t help but be exciting.

“I am confident and as prepared as I can be.’’

JAKE SHIELDS

“I am looking for respect and becoming No. 1 in the world. As I have said time and again, I want to fight the best.

“I expect a very good fight. I may try and take the fight to him and try and manhandle him, but I don’t have a real plan going in. I’ll just go out and see where things go.

“Mike has some great submissions and has fought some great fighters. I know I need to be my best, but I feel ready for a top effort.’’

MIKE PYLE

“I’d like to thank EliteXC for bringing me back. Title or no title, this is going to be a great fight for the fans and for the both of us. There are going to be fireworks. It is going to be a war.

“Business is business and I hold no animosity toward anyone. This is not personal and I don’t hold any grudges against anybody.

“I am looking forward to competing again. The layoff will not bother me at all. I have a job to do and I am going to do it to the best of my ability on Saturday.’’

JONATHAN WIEZOREK

“Fighting a great, big talented guy like “Big Foot’’ Silva is a huge challenge but a great opportunity for me.

“I hope to try and take advantage of his mistakes; he does make some on occasion.

“To me, this is a win-win opportunity. If I win, I shock the world. If I don’t and still perform well, I will be OK.

‘’There is no pressure on me. Everybody expects me to lose. I feel great and my training is good. I hope to prove everybody wrong.’’

SETH KLEINBECK

“I’d like to thank everybody for making this fight and this show happen. It is an honor to be part of it – if I wasn’t fighting on it, I’d definitely be watching. It is that good.

“Training has been excellent and I am ready to fight. I know Noke is coming to win and make a name for himself here. This is going to be a good test and a very good fight.’’

KYLE NOKE

“I am exciting about fighting in the United States and appearing on SHOWTIME for the first time.

“They really threw me in tough first time out, but I am always ready to accept a challenge. This is going to be fun. There is no pressure.

“He likes to stand and brawl and so do I. This is going to be a great fight for as long as it lasts.’’