ELITEXC ON SHOWTIME VS. BOXING ON HBO

By Michael Swann

The premiere of Pro Elite’s Elite Xtreme Combat (EliteXC) on Showtime Saturday was a success at least from an aesthetic standpoint. Even if, like me, you are a boxing fan who has yet to master the finer points of mixed martial arts, you have to admit that the event was entertaining.

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The announcing team of Mauro Ranallo, Bill Goldberg, and Jay Glazer were excellent, appropriately descriptive of the action so that we novices could keep our interest. Glazer, an NFL guy, in particular was impressive as the roving reporter.

EliteXC’s innovations get them off to a fast start. The streaming of the undercard on the internet had to appeal to some fans. I think that the idea of the 15 second stand up clock is a plus for fans who don’t always understand what the combatants are doing on the floor and appreciate pushing the action from an apparent lull. If the referee deems that the action has come to a standstill and neither man has an advantage, he gives them a warning then puts them on a 15 second clock after which he stands them up if there continues to be no advantage for either fighter.

Pro Elite had to be pleased with the potential star power generated in the inaugural live broadcast. Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett suddenly clocked K.J. Noons with a hook in the first round and it was over. Bennett is a colorful character in and out of the cage, and will be a regular, I predict. The hulking 300 pound Antonio Silva fought Wesley “Cabbage” Correira, known for his strong beard, and stopped him with a flying knee in the first round of their super heavyweight fight. Joey Villasenor dominated the better known David “The Crow” Loiseau with a brilliant display of ground control and won a decision over the former UFC title contender.

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