Denny Burkholder

This morning at 9 a.m. ET, CBS and ProElite, Inc. announced a multi-year deal that will result in four EliteXC events per year broadcast live on CBS.

The deal is the first of its kind for a major U.S. TV network, and also the first of its kind for a U.S.-based MMA promotion. According to the official press release, CBS will air four EliteXC events per year, live on Saturday nights during primetime. The release also confirms that the EliteXC airings will be two hours in duration.

EliteXC began running shows last year, broadcasting on Showtime. The promotion has also worked in conjunction with MMA groups like Strikeforce in jointly-promoted events airing primarily on Showtime, which will continue to air EliteXC in addition to the CBS deal.

In conjunction with other MMA groups owned by ProElite -- which includes not just ElitexC, but others like Cage Rage and Icon Sport -- the roster of potential fighters on CBS broadcasts includes Kimbo Slice, Gina Carano, Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Antonio Silva, Robbie Lawler, Jake Shields, KJ Noons, Nick Diaz, Murilo "Ninja" Rua, Scott Smith and Ricco Rodriguez.

From the official release:

"Mixed martial arts is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and a wildly popular entertainment vehicle for upscale, young adult audiences," said Kelly Kahl, Senior Executive Vice President, CBS Primetime. "It's original programming for Saturday night; it's live, creating an event atmosphere and it's something that hasn't been seen on network television, until now."

EliteXC president Gary Shaw added this:

"Our world-class fighters and the high production value of our events continue to drive ProElite as a global MMA organization that is fortified by the bedrock foundation of a partnership with CBS," said Gary Shaw, President of EliteXC. "Broadcasting our events on CBS will instantly engage a new fan base, as well as provide an opportunity for EliteXC to further establish itself as the world's premier MMA organization."

I'll probably have more to say about this over the next day or two. For now, let's just say that no matter how this all turns out, this is already one of the most important MMA stories of the year.

These waters are unchartered. An MMA TV deal of this ilk has simply never been done before in this country, and whether it succeeds or not is likely to have a major impact on the future of the MMA business.

Here comes the big brawl: Kimbo Slice vs. Tank Abbott. This place is buzzing big time. Very loud, and Tank is the definite heel.

Here comes Kimbo. I can hardly hear myself think. The Miami crowd is bananas for this guy.

Kimbo has a cliq at least 20 deep walking laps around the floor making sure that everyone is on their feet.

Round 1: Well, that was crazy. They both come out throwing bombs. Both guys are landing as many as they miss. Kimbo drops Tank with a right hand and the referee steps in. The place goes insane, thinking Kimbo just won. Instead, the referee warns Kimbo for striking the back of the head and tries to restart the fight, except Kimbo doesn't want to go back to his corner. They finally restart the fight, and the ref immediately calls "time" again due to a piece of debris thrown into the cage. The crowd is ready to jump into the cage at this point. I've never seen anything like it. They finally get back at it. Tank lands strikes and Kimbo doesn't even flinch. Kimbo lands strikes and every other one makes Tank stagger to the ground. A right hand finally puts Tank out face-first on the canvas, for good.

Winner: Kimbo Slice def. Tank Abbott via KO due to strikes at 43 seconds of Round 1.

I was in Hollywood for the third Tito Ortiz-Ken Shamrock fight in October of 2006, and believe me when I tell you this crowd was twice as electric as the Tito-Shamrock audience... and that was insane too. The building was rocking when Kimbo won. Incredible scene.

Here comes the semi-main event: Ricco Rodriguez vs. Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva.

Round 1: They stand and exchange with Silva landing more solid shots. Rodriguez is quick to dance away from Silva when he starts feeling those punches. Silva went off-balance and Rodriguez tried a flying knee, which didn't do much damage. They go to the mat with Rodriguez in Silva's guard, landing a couple of forearms to the chin but otherwise not accomplishing much as the round ends. I'd give it to Silva 10-9 on account of more affective striking.

Round 2: Silva with a nice jab. Rodriguez isn't landing many shots. He tries a Superman punch and misses. Rodriguez cathes Silva's foot on a kick attempt but can't follow up. Rodriguez grapples Silva against the cage and tries to slip down for a takedown, but Silva slips out and Rodriguez is now on his back against the cage. Silva moves in and Rodriguez goes for an armbar, but fails. Silva working from half guard. He lands some strikes to the face. Rodriguez gets him back in full guard. The referee stands them up due to inactivity, then calls a doctor in to check on Rodriguez, who says he can't see out of one of his eyes. He gets checked out and is apparently better now, so they restart the fight. Rodriguez tries a spinning back kick and whiffs. He tries for a takedown and can't get it, then an armbar but just winds up with Silva back on top as the round ends. 10-9 Silva again... Ricco is definitely busy in there, but he just isn't succeeding with much.

Round 3: Silva takes down Rodriguez as the entire crowd stands up to watch an apparent fight in the stands behind me. Silva is working the ground and pound on Rodriguez. Silva slows down the pace and the ref stands them back up. Silva lands a body kick and Rodriguez answers with fists. Rodriguez tries a head kick and misses. Rodriguez gets Silva down and doesn't do much in Silva's guard. He puts the forearms to Silva but time runs out, and this one's gotta be Silva's win. 10-9 Silva, again.

Winner: Antonio Silva def. Ricco Rodriguez via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28) after three rounds.

Up next is the EliteXC debut of former UFC fighter Scott Smith, against Kyle Noke.


Round 1: They're trading but being very cautious. Half the round passes with virtually no major punches landing. The crowd is starting to get irritated. Noke is mixing in some leg kicks but otherwise neither guy is doing anything. The crowd is really getting on them. Toward the end of the round, Smith landed some decent strikes. Based on that, I give the round to Smith 10-9.

Round 2: Man, did the action pick up here. Noke swings at Smith and Smith counters with a right cross for a scary looking knockout. Smith gets one more shot in before the referee is able to stop the fight. Noke was motionless for a while, but left the cage on his own power.

Winner: Scott Smith def. Kyle Noke via KO due to a right cross at seven seconds of Round 2.

Yves Edwards vs. Edson Berto is up.

Round 1: They stand and trade to start. Berto with a nice body kick. Edwards answers with jabs. It goes to the ground and Berto locks on a guillotine. Edwards fights out of it and starts working for an arm. Berto is striking from the bottom with fists and elbows. They are stood up. Berto grabs the leg trying for a takedown and Edwards smashes him with a knee and a fist for the stoppage.

Winner: Yves Edwards def. Edson Berto via TKO due to strikes at 4:56 of Round 1.