Handicapping Elite Xtreme Combat

Sports coverage on the Showtime Network has been limited to boxing for many years but the subscription-based cable channel will expand its combat sports offering this Saturday when it enters the red hot world of mixed martial arts. Showtime's entry into the space is known as "Elite Xtreme Combat," a joint venture between the cable network and Pro Elite, Inc.

For years the UFC and PRIDE have dominated the marketplace but recently, many fly-by-night promotions have come along looking to capitalize on the sport's meteoric growth.

Both Showtime and Elite take offense to being labeled a "fly-by-night promotion," and when you couple Showtime's history with boxing and Pro Elite's past existence as the Rumble on the Rock MMA promotion, they have a valid point.

The MMA world will not only be watching the strong main event between Frank Shamrock and Renzo Gracie from Southaven, Mississippi with great anticipation, but to also see whether EliteXC can prove to be a legitimate challenger to the UFC's throne.

Here's a full preview of the action you'll be seeing from EliteXC this Saturday:

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