Fans Must Demand an Investigation of EliteXC

by Michael Rome on Oct 6, 2008 7:57 PM EDT in News Comment 128 comments

According to Seth Petruzelli, the man who defeated Kimbo Slice on EliteXC's recent CBS offering on October 4th, he was paid to keep the fight standing:

The promoter kinda hinted to me, and they gave me money to stand and trade with him. They didn't want me to take him down. Let's just put it that way.

His comments warrant an investigation.

Petruzelli also claimed he was paid in the six figure range to keep it standing, but his disclosed purse was only $50,000. So unless he is lying, and there's no reason to believe he is, he was paid an additional bonus to fight in a way that gave their star the best chance of winning.

This is outrageous, and just absolutely embarrassing for the sport of MMA, especially considering the fact that this happened on network television. We already had people on ESPN mocking the sport all day today, when they get wind of this it will be a nightmare.

Make no mistake, if Petruzelli's comments accurately characterize what happened, this is essentially fight fixing. What would sports writers say if it came out that Floyd Mayweather was paid not to use his left hook? Or if the lakers were paid to play a game without having Kobe Bryant take a shot? The outrage is nowhere near the level it should be given this disclosure. People trying to analogize this to "exciting fight bonuses" aren't arguing in good faith, the argument isn't even worth addressing.

This situation is terrible for the sport, terrible for fans, and terrible for the other honorable fighters on EliteXC cards that are trying to forge real careers, but now find themselves tainted by this.

Kelly Kahl needs to conduct his own investigation of what happened here. If it is true, everyone involved should be fired immediately.

The Florida Athletic Commission should conduct an investigation into this as well.

We can all roll our eyes and act like it's typical scummy behavior, and just let it slide, but that will just ensure more of it in the future. Only fans can make sure it does not happen again.

Update: Seth Petruzelli has now changed his story:

"What was meant to be said was that I wanted to keep the fight standing for myself because I knew that was what the crowd, the promoters, and everyone wanted to see because that’s more exciting than just taking someone to the ground," Petruzelli said. "That was my thing only. I wanted to keep it exciting so I decided to keep it standing. It had nothing to do with anybody else. That was all me."

Upon being asked directly whether EliteXC officials had even hinted that he could receive a bonus by keeping the fight standing, Petruzelli clarified that no such act had taken place.

"No," he responded. "Look, even the UFC gives knockout bonuses. Everyone gives knockout bonuses. There’s knockout bonuses, submission bonuses, all sorts of bonuses. I just wanted to keep it standing because I felt I could beat (Kimbo) at his own game."

These quotes are mutually exclusive, they can't both be true. Again, it's possible he slipped and said the wrong thing, but it is also possible he didn't realize what a big deal the comment was and then changed the story to avoid problems. I don't know what the truth is, but his initial comments warrant an investigation.

UPDATE II [by Luke Thomas]: I've emailed Kelly Kahl regarding this very serious matter to get his comments first and also to see what plans, if any, CBS has about launching a formal inquiry into this. Stay tuned.

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Read More: elitexc, kimbo slice, seth petruzelli

Comments

I endorse this.

by Luke Thomas on Oct 6, 2008 7:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich.--Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy

by thetakeover on Oct 6, 2008 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't

In true Bloody Elbow fashion, I have the quotes to make my case in this fanpost. Quotes (conveniently timestamped) are from the same original interview. This took me forever to put together.

by natyong on Oct 7, 2008 5:57 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Seth Has Denied The Reports!

Seth Petruzelli:

being asked directly whether EliteXC officials had even hinted that he could receive a bonus by keeping the fight standing, Petruzelli clarified that no such act had taken place.

"No," he responded. "Look, even the UFC gives knockout bonuses. Everyone gives knockout bonuses. There’s knockout bonuses, submission bonuses, all sorts of bonuses. I just wanted to keep it standing because I felt I could beat (Kimbo) at his own game."[/QUOTE]

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 6, 2008 7:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Monsters : Even though you only had an hour to get ready for this fight against kimbo, what was your strategy fighting against Kimbo, uh, err, uh, were you tryin to uh, submission him out?

Seth Petruzelli: My original plan was to throw a lot of push kicks, called teeps, and try to rush in more, and then shoot in on him, obviously.

M: So you wanted to get him on the ground? There’s no way you wanted to box him standing up?

SP: Not really, but I train with lots of undefeated pro boxers, a couple guys have a belt, and my style kinda throws them off a bit, I have kind of an awkward style. So, I knew I would do alright standing up with him. THE PROMOTERS KINDA HINTED TO ME, AND THEY GAVE ME THE MONEY TO STAND AND TRADE WITH HIM. THEY DIDN’T WANT ME TO TAKE HIM DOWN. LETS JUST PUT IT THAT WAY.

M: Ahhh.. ok.

SP: It was worth my while to try and stand up and punch with him."

A more complete transcription provided in the other thread by Nick Thompson. I would also recommend listening to the actually interview before automatically crying conspiracy. There are some good audio at the end where he explains he’s giving the interview staring into a bucket of his own puke.

by natyong on Oct 6, 2008 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that’s when you’re most honest unfortunately….

by mmalogic on Oct 6, 2008 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not me. I’m always spouting off on how I’m never going to drink again among many other things.

by natyong on Oct 7, 2008 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here is More on Seth Denying The Reports:

"What was meant to be said was that I wanted to keep the fight standing for myself because I knew that was what the crowd, the promoters, and everyone wanted to see because that’s more exciting than just taking someone to the ground," Petruzelli said. "That was my thing only. I wanted to keep it exciting so I decided to keep it standing. It had nothing to do with anybody else. That was all me."

Upon being asked directly whether EliteXC officials had even hinted that he could receive a bonus by keeping the fight standing, Petruzelli clarified that no such act had taken place.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 6, 2008 7:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Can you provide a link to these statements?

by Luke Thomas on Oct 6, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/10/06/petruzelli-disputes-reports-he-insinuated-he-received-a-bonus-for-keeping-slice-fight-a-standup-affair/

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 6, 2008 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

by Luke Thomas on Oct 6, 2008 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This completely contradicts what he said before.

by Cannon Jacques on Oct 6, 2008 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The comments are mutually exclusive. Why was he paid at least double the disclosed? Or was that misunderstood too?

by Michael Rome on Oct 6, 2008 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It sounds like somebody spoke to him...

What $kala may not realize is that undisclosed “bonuses” given BEFORE a fight is not the same as the UFC giving out Knockout/Submission/Best Fight honors. If the FAC hears this I’m sure it will warrant an investigation, or at least an inquiry. No sports organization should have this sort of thing going on.

This kind of garbage reminds me of pro wrestling. Except this is a sport. Why can’t legitimate businessmen who actually enjoy MMA for what it is be in these positions that matter? You can question Dana White’s ethics all you want but at least you don’t see him doing shit like this. Additionally, I might expect this from FEG or something considering their history of shady dealings. With tastes like the Japanese (Bob Sapp, etc…) who can blame them for trying to fix fights.

But to see EliteXC pull this on primetime television is disgraceful. I hope Jared Shaw knows with everything he’s done in the past 24 hours alone – between shouting in favor of Kimbo to this – he has set the sport of MMA as it pertains to the American public back to before they got this TV deal.

by KneeToTheFace on Oct 6, 2008 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They had to renegotiate their contracts in the span of 2 hours before the event started.
I am sure a lot of things were rushing at the time. He might have completely misunderstood what they were saying.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 6, 2008 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but...

What fun is a conspiracy theory if it is so gentle and harmless?

by KneeToTheFace on Oct 6, 2008 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m with Rome on this. Both stories can’t be correct. Words weren’t manipulated in the first statement. The first statement meant something totally different than the second statement. I’ve been critical of EXC in the past, but this situation needs to be investigated independently of anything else. If the first statement is true, it could do irreparable damage to MMA if not addressed in a swift and appropriate manner.

by Cannon Jacques on Oct 6, 2008 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not the crime it's the coverup!

Changing the story might be the biggest problem.

"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich.--Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy

by thetakeover on Oct 6, 2008 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

That is my point. Petruzelli probably isn’t too close with EXC’s management. They scratched together what they did last night, and they offered him a little money to make the fight more interesting. So it all goes down, and Seth goes on the radio show and says what he says. Later, EXC gets wind of it and gives him a call, telling him not to go running his mouth about all of EliteXC’s shady dealings. They probably even told him to release another statement to rectify the original, hence him changing the story.

by KneeToTheFace on Oct 6, 2008 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mentioning the UFC’s bonus structure reeks of being told what to say. “I wasn’t given any bribe and even if I was look at the UFC.”

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Oct 6, 2008 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

spot on… sounds like the whole “rocky” talking point.

by mmalogic on Oct 6, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

UFC also gives submission bonuses

by banter on Oct 6, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

^This

was noticeably absent from his second statement. Well done.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Oct 6, 2008 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m pretty sure EliteXC didn’t give a sub bonus first fight, I doubt that an un-aired fight is eligible for the KO bonus. Other restrictions could be in place also.

by natyong on Oct 6, 2008 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see it that way.

First off In the first interview Seth also stated that he had yet to clean up the bucket of puke that was his result of after party.

It’s the first statement everybody has a problem with, but doesn’t make the second statement mutually exclusive.

First off both of these statements have qualifiers to them “the promoter kinda hinted that…” and “what was meant to be said was…” On the first statements qualifier. All it would take to kinda hint is that they had been booking fighters for Kimbo that were good stand up opponents with him cause that’s what sells and makes us want to pay Kimbo and his opponents headliner money." Seth’s a business owner, I’m sure that’s all he needs to get their hint. Who wouldn’t expect EliteXC educate their fighters what gets them the most views? Is any of this illegal and worth an investigation? Is it a wrong statement or contrary to his second explanatory statement? NO on all accounts.

On the second statement I’m sure he was a little more sober and lucid. I’m sure he even realized that his first statement would like be taken wrong. That’s why he started his second statement with the qualifier, “What was meant to be said was…”

by natyong on Oct 6, 2008 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess you can read whatever you want from the two statements if you take enough liberties. He said two different things. Period. You can make excuses about what he said, but those two statements aren’t remotely the same in my book. The situation deserves looking into at the least. The consequences of doing nothing are too high. There are just too many discrepancies for me to be comfortable that his second statement wasn’t the result of coercion from EXC officials.

by Cannon Jacques on Oct 6, 2008 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The problem I have with this is that his initial comments are far from explicit. My interpretation is that he is saying he was offered the Kimbo fight (and additional purse money, obviously), and he was under the impression that they wanted to see a stand-up battle. Thats why I referred to it as “meddlesome” in the previous post. I don’ think its necessarily an ethical problem for the promoters to suggest what type of fight they want to see if they aren’t actually providing enticements for that outcome outside of win bonuses.

As for undiclosed bonuses, lets look at the quote cited:

“"The Silverback" indicated that he was paid "six figures" to take the fight against Slice, which is a nice payday for the former contestant on The Ultimate Fighter.”

He didn’t say he was offered extra money to keep it standing. He simply got a substantial undisclosed bonus… which is commonplace in the UFC, among other shows.

by smoogy on Oct 6, 2008 7:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is shady, no way around it

Undisclosed bonuses? Suggestions to keep it standing? Screaming at the ref to stand it up? There’s just too much smoke here for there not to be a fire.

"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich.--Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy

by thetakeover on Oct 6, 2008 7:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Welcome to the wonderful world of fight promotion

They’re all shady.

by smoogy on Oct 6, 2008 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Set also said in the first interview that he was getting 6 figures.
None of what he said in the first interview was true. I am not sure what was going on there.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 6, 2008 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He said originally that it was his gameplan to go for the takedown early. Then he says what is posted above, " They didn’t want me to take him down. Let’s just put it that way."

I fail to see how it could be a “misinterpretation” on his part, especially when he changes it to something so distant from his original statement. “I just wanted to keep it standing because I felt I could beat (Kimbo) at his own game.”"

by KneeToTheFace on Oct 6, 2008 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you privy to inside information now? How do you know none of what he said before was true?

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Oct 6, 2008 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seth also said in that interview that he was getting 6 figures payment for fighting Kimbo.

He got 50K. I think there was a lot of misunderstanding going on.
What I do know is that they had 1-2 hours to renegotiate their contracts and it seems that their was definitely some bad communication going on there.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 6, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Obviously the rest was in an undisclosed bonus. His disclosed purse does not “prove” the 6 figures is not true.

by Michael Rome on Oct 6, 2008 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could he not be including extra fight Promotion sponsorship in that number? I’m sure a few people would be willing to throw a few quick dollars into the pot when he got bumped to the televised main card. I wonder how much Coca-Cola pays American Idol for three cups on a desk?

by natyong on Oct 6, 2008 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly.

Especially after the Fedor/Sylvia fight, I don’t understand why people treat the salaries reported by the ACs as gold.

There are many ways and many reasons for fight orgs to pay their fighters more than the number that shows up on that report.

by Phildo on Oct 6, 2008 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly,

think of the leverage power he had right before the fight!

by dnevil001 on Oct 7, 2008 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s the disclosed payment. Do you think they’d disclose his bribe?

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Oct 6, 2008 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another thing

Seth also said after a while that it was the first interview he had done after the fight. Sherdog begs to differ.

Sherdog: The Man Who Beat Kimbo

by natyong on Oct 7, 2008 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m assuming he made the comment initially and didn’t think much of it. Elitexc officials caught wind of th comment and basically threatened the life of his first born, and he quickly retracted his comment. or something like that.

Iwould be shocked, shocked if elitexc is still in business this time next year. They are a joke and I think CBS will probably pull the plug any day now.

by lbk on Oct 6, 2008 8:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They are still going to put on the 4th CBS Show after this one.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 6, 2008 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

These are 2 completely different statements…

And you can even see some weaseling in the second one trying to brush it off as every org gives out a ko bonus….

UFC doesn’t choose which fights are eligible for a KO bonus.

As KneetoTheFace pointed out above this statement is pretty clear:

“They didn’t want me to take him down. Let’s just put it that way.”

At a minimum there needs to be an investigation… is it possible he mispoke initially? Unlikely. Is it possible he misunderstood their insinuation? possible. Is it possible they are a shady bunch of muther fuckers? probable…

puts Bo Cantrel taking a dive in new light.

by mmalogic on Oct 6, 2008 8:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Even if it is true.

Have you seen the GIF of Shamrock vs Franklin where Shamrock goes down on a whiffed punch.
UFC shady too sighing Ken to build up Rich Franklin?

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 6, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that was a botched take down attempt

and its so tired.

by Kid Nate on Oct 6, 2008 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

100% correct..

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Oct 6, 2008 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

People like you

and others posting comments need to stop posting comments as if the UFC is behind this, caused this or had anything whatsoever to do with it. This has abso-fucking-lutely nothing to do with the UFC and everything to do with allegations regarding a promotion trying to protect their biggest asset by trying to make sure he had the best chance of winning.

Why does Seth’s story change so quickly and dramatically in hours? $kala seems to be very active in reading MMA sites and this reeks of Seth being “talked to”. At very least, it should be investigated.

At any rate, “YA BUT UFC” shouldn’t be your argument in saying that this is no big deal or shouldn’t be investigated.

by LiuLang on Oct 6, 2008 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ken Shamrock throwing the Franklin fight has to be one of the most commonly heard rumors of the last few years. The guy just fucking fell down, you know.

by D.Capitated on Oct 6, 2008 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And yet everyone forgets to mention that Ken tried to roll into a kneebar/footlock. Whenever I see that GIF, it always stops at Ken taking his fall. You would think that Franklin went straight to pummeling him, which did not happen.

And if Ken did take a fall, that probably has to do with Ken, not the UFC. Ken has spoken out many times that the UFC disrespected him when they cut him, yet he’s never said that fight was a work. What would be his reason for not speaking out about it?

by LiuLang on Oct 6, 2008 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ken Shamrock won’t admit to his obvious “works” in Pancrase either. What’s the point? “Rolling for a kneebar” is an interesting interpretation, I must say.

by D.Capitated on Oct 6, 2008 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The point is, is that you brought it up. You’ve never watched that whole fight, have you? That certainly tells me a lot about you. Is the dumb ass fall suspicious? Of course it is. But when he went down, his arm was around Franklin’s right leg and he immediately went for something. Franklin got out of it and pounded him out.

This is a whole lot different than a fighter saying, I don’t know, that it was “worth his while” to keep it standing. Wait, kinda like what Seth originally said!

by LiuLang on Oct 7, 2008 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There’s been talk for years about how the UFC “hints” to its guys to stand and bang. Certainly they reward it. For those reasons, I expect nothing to come of this.

by D.Capitated on Oct 6, 2008 8:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

really?

where is this “talk”?

Has a UFC fighter ever come out and said the promoter insinuated that a fight ending in a KO would be better than a submission?

I think your reaching a bit without your thinking cap.

Here’s the quote again:

“The promoters kinda hinted to me and they gave me the
money to stand and trade with him, they didn’t want me to
take him down lets just put it that way. It was worth my
while to try to stand and punch with him”

by mmalogic on Oct 6, 2008 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Provide some proof to your rumor mongering slander

by banter on Oct 6, 2008 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, please. This has been going on for years now. There’s broad allusions to it made by folks such as Matt Lindland and rumblings almost since Bonnar/Griffin I ended about that sort of activity. Just look at the roster and who they keep around that logically should be off fighting on EXC untelevised under cards.

by D.Capitated on Oct 6, 2008 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You’re confusing (intentionally) asking fighters to be exciting and deliberately asking a guy not to exploit the weakness of your top star. One is trying to just make a show exciting, the other is trying to affect outcomes.

I should note that the UFC’s method is scummy too but not criminal. This is like asking Kobe Bryant not to drive against a guard that is slow defending off the dribble.

by Michael Rome on Oct 6, 2008 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How is this different than what Seth said? again his first statement is qualified “that they KINDA HINTED that…” Where does this say that they said to him not to exploit a weakness?

by natyong on Oct 6, 2008 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

here’s the quote:

"The promoters kinda hinted to me and they gave me the
money to stand and trade with him, they didn’t want me to
take him down lets just put it that way. It was worth my
while to try to stand and punch with him"

what is Kimbo’s weakness? apparently now we know it’s his chin… but at the time it was known that it was the ground.

by mmalogic on Oct 6, 2008 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uhm, Who didn’t know that watched the Thompson fight that that was his weakness. Most every fighter on the card including Seth Petruzelli weakness was on the ground!

EliteXC didn’t want the fight on the ground. Who didn’t know that before they booked the fight. Who thinks Seth Didn’t know that before the fight. They HINTED that to everybody. His quote in no way explicitly says that they made it a part of the contract negotiations. Every fighter from first EliteXC on CBS show got paid to fight because they were all standup fighters. Most of the fighters in this card where booked because they are also traditionally standup fighters. We all knew before the event that EliteXC didn’t want any of the fights on the ground. Do we expect Seth to be ignorant of the facts? Why is it a conspiracy now when it was so transparent before the fights event even began?

by natyong on Oct 6, 2008 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it is a big deal now because a fighter said:

it’s not a “conspiracy” when the fighter makes the statement that he did. Could he have misunderstood what they said to him… sure – but he’s a smoothie king franchise owner so he isn’t that stupid. Second the blatant shadiness of the org is clear.

Finally when some one adds: “lets just put it that way.” That means he is holding even more shit back … kinda makes you wonder.\

But I will concede that there is a possibility that he did misunderstand them or he completely lied in his first statement… There needs to be an investigation to find out.

There is financial speculation in this business (gambling) so you can’t fuck around with this.

by mmalogic on Oct 6, 2008 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m pretty sure the Athletic commissions are required to see the contracts. In this instance I wouldn’t be surprised if they were part of the negotiations in that they only had a couple hours at most to get them done. I’m also pretty sure that the Commissions make sure that the fighters get paid according to their contracts or they drop that promotion from promoting any more.

FAC would probably love to know if EliteXC was pulling shenanigans on their watch, but they would also probably dismiss anyone offering this as proof with a chuckle.

by natyong on Oct 6, 2008 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so you think elite ran the bribe by the commission before while they offered it to Seth?

Seths disclosed pay was 50k… he received 6 figures per his own statement.

by mmalogic on Oct 6, 2008 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No bribe, just an excited happy dude.

And Fedor only received 300,000 where’s the uproar about this? Where was the uproar on this?

by natyong on Oct 7, 2008 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

fedor didnt say:

“lets just put it that way”
“lets just put it that way”
“lets just put it that way”
“lets just put it that way”

he didn’t say they gave me the money to KO him… he said to stand and bang.

You can’t misconstrue what he said… He isn’t sarah palin where you have no idea what he meant.

So either he lied or he really didn’t understand what they said to him.

This is why the investigation is necessary.

by mmalogic on Oct 7, 2008 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not confusing anything and I’m also not gonna name names. I don’t play the SCOOPS game for other people. The UFC is interested in “exciting” fighters, and “exciting” for Dana are dudes that stand and trade. Do I have a smoking gun for you? Of course not. On the other hand, do you think the company that openly boasted that “no one will know what we really pay guys” about two years ago (to the Meltz’s chagrin) wants the books fully cracked open?

In any case, its hilarious. Seth is a standup fighter by trade. They basically gave the guy a bonus to work his strengths.

by D.Capitated on Oct 6, 2008 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here Ill name names:

Damian Maia, ricardo almeida, the brazilian dude that hendo just beat up, werdum, etc…

This lends lots of credibility for your “scoop” of the Dana ONLY wanting guys who “stand and trade”…

please at least try to make your bull shit have some common sense.

by mmalogic on Oct 6, 2008 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are always good for a laugh, mmalogic.

by smoogy on Oct 6, 2008 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And look at how wonderfully Fabricio Werdum has been pushed along! He’s only 5-6 fights from a title fight now.

I’m glad you could take away some time from the $3,000 an hour job for us.

by D.Capitated on Oct 6, 2008 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So werdum not getting a title shot is the same as Elite XC trying to unethically influence the outcome of a fight?

Im still trying to understand your original argument of UFC doing what Elite has done… ?

by mmalogic on Oct 6, 2008 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Again: Did I say it was? Symptom of the greater problem, dear.

What I’m saying: I’ve been hearing rumors for years about guys being “pushed” to engage in the standup and that its clearly favored. I look at what the UFC actually does in its promotional tactics and what takes place in the ring, and I don’t really see any particular reason to believe its not possible or even likely. Its not a defense of what EXC does, merely recognition that they are not alone in doing it or that somehow erasing them means you cure MMA.

To give an example, I’d love, personally, to know what Tony Fryklund truly took home in doing the complete opposite of all his strengths against Cung Le.

by D.Capitated on Oct 6, 2008 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Understand,

but “hearing rumors’ is not a fighter coming out & saying the UFC promoters "wanted me not to take him down.”

by dnevil001 on Oct 7, 2008 8:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dana/UFC finds fighters that go for submissions exciting also. He just doesn’t like fighters that are boring and one dimensional trying to only work submissions from the bottom. Other than that I agree with most of what you said.

by natyong on Oct 6, 2008 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They’ll go for guys that are solid on the ground generally only when they can acquire them cheaply. Damian Maia is, ostensibly, a bargain priced Jacare.

by D.Capitated on Oct 6, 2008 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So your “scoop” has now evolved to:

“Dana will sign ground fighters only when they are good and only when he can get them for market price”

Shit, what else do you know! LOL

by mmalogic on Oct 6, 2008 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s entirely true. And for everyone one Maia, he signs about 5 War Machines. That’s not a scoop and its not particularly deniable, but who ever said it was?

by D.Capitated on Oct 6, 2008 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Okay Dana Likes people that draw or cheaply legitimatizes the sport. What Promoter wouldn’t. He paid Royce Gracie big bucks for one fight. He pays Big Nog, and made him Interim Champion, gave Lutter (ouch!) a Title shot.

Sure he doesn’t have as much an appreciation of the ground game as our beloved Japanese/Brazilian fighters/fan, but then again those markets are doing awesome right now.

Anways this topic isn’t about Dana/UFC and I’m kinda pissed off at you D.Capitated for making me agree with mmalogic and Dana, heh heh.

by natyong on Oct 6, 2008 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not merely saying that. As I said earlier: I’m not demanding that anyone believe me. Could care less, really. “Dana pays guys to stand” should not be some sort of revelatory rumor around any MMA board. Is it a smart strategy should it be true? Probably. Seems like plenty of people enjoy sloppy standup as long as someone gets KOed.

by D.Capitated on Oct 6, 2008 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Call it oversimplifying, but how many UFC champs are exclusively “stand up and trade and bang” guys that supposedly make Dana so happy?

by LiuLang on Oct 6, 2008 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dana can’t force them to be champs, but he can keep putting them in positions to vie for titles. Let’s start with the guy who lost to Kalib Starnes and is coheadlining a major show in a couple weeks, you know.

by D.Capitated on Oct 6, 2008 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BJ Penn also lost two in a row and I hear he’s doing alright “headlining shows”. They didn’t take him and bounce him out the door. Granted, the competition was a little stiffer.

Zuffa made a whole TUF season to buildup a fight between two of the best HW submission guys in the game. While no ones going to disagree that KO’s put butts in the seats, I just don’t see that there’s some gross preference to guys who stand and bang.

by LiuLang on Oct 6, 2008 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

a big difference from cutting a fighter because he is boring or hell because he is a ground fighter…

to trying to influence the outcome of a fight.

by mmalogic on Oct 6, 2008 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

why would Zuffa sign damian maia, Ricardo Almeida, etc… if they were pushing the “stand and bang” agenda?

by mmalogic on Oct 6, 2008 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

UFC wants guys to fight and put on a show for fans, not guys that coming out here just to fight grind out a decision and call it the night. That shit was getting on my nerves in boxing. How many times you seen guys that know they got the fight in the bag, fight cautiously towards the final minuties of the round? Sylvia-Monson for example? Shit like that rips off fans who pay for the tickets and ppvs.

by The Bronzeville Bully on Oct 6, 2008 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Question:

Does anyone know if Petruzelli is signed to a multi-fight deal with EliteXC? I’ve searched all day and only found mention of him signing on for the one bout (against Rosa), which would make sense since he’s a local FL guy.

I agree that Seth’s statements appear to directly contradict each other, and that he probably received a call from EliteXC PR telling him to do some damage control after the initial interview. But I ask about the contract because if he’s not signed on for future bouts with EXC, he wouldn’t really have a reason to cover their asses. I’d imagine the UFC would welcome him back with open arms at this point…

by Chris Nelson on Oct 6, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He is signed long term according to Jared Shaw in an interview today with Sam Caplan.

by Michael Rome on Oct 6, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup, he is signed long termed, before he even fought on Saturday.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 6, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When the VP of an organization blatantly demonstrates unethical behavior (screaming at the ref’s to benefit kimbo)… (keep in mind this is being done out in the open not hidden like jerking off to your cousin or something.)

the question becomes what do these fuckers do behind closed doors?

by mmalogic on Oct 6, 2008 8:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The question is what do any businesses or organizations do behind closed doors?
Do you really want to know?

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 6, 2008 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

do you want to drink chinese milk? or would you like to know if your milk is poison free?

Sure, I’d like to know if I’m watching pro-wrestling or a real sport…

My point is if the VP of the promotion so blatantly tries to influence the outcome of a fight (screaming at the ref to stand them up – kimbo/thompson – screaming at the ref again when kimbo was getting pummeled – kimbo/pink hair guy) infront of everyone to see.

Then to what extent and to what level do they go in order to influence a match behind closed doors?

by mmalogic on Oct 6, 2008 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have to agree with mmalogic...

…these guys are jerking off to their cousins on live network tv and getting away with it.

by nandez44 on Oct 6, 2008 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree,

jerking off to cousin! lol

by dnevil001 on Oct 7, 2008 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree 100% thank you.

by banter on Oct 6, 2008 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

DIGG the story Guys!!

http://digg.com/other_sports/EliteXC_attempted_to_fix_the_Kimbo_fight

by RoyalB on Oct 6, 2008 8:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

buzz it up on yahoo as well

see the button at the end of the story? hit it!

by Kid Nate on Oct 6, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The “Reverse Your Statement” bonus is now initiated by Elite…. this will add a whole new excitement and dimension to the fight business.

by mmalogic on Oct 6, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is NOT new for Elite XC

I am not dropping any name here but I KNOW for a fact that Elite XC has offered at least one previous Kimbo Slice opponent double the pay to keep the fight standing. This is not a new tactic for Elite XC.

by mmafan on Oct 6, 2008 9:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

let me guess? James Thonpson :)

by mmalogic on Oct 6, 2008 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about Bo Cantrell?

by The Bronzeville Bully on Oct 6, 2008 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that it was Tank. He actually has a bit of a wrestling background and got an enormous payday.

by D.Capitated on Oct 6, 2008 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s full on fixing.

by starvin on Oct 6, 2008 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, and you are?

You just joined Bloody Elbow today and are making straight on fixing accusations with no proof? I wouldn’t be surprised if your source was your Bookie.

by natyong on Oct 6, 2008 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am not saying

I am not asking you to believe me. I only joined because I read this article and I felt I HAD to at least mention that this is not a first time thing. I know the fighter personally (a friend) and I KNOW that Elite XC offered double the payday to keep the fight standing. I have nothing to gain by saying this.

by mmafan on Oct 6, 2008 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, but people have everything to gain (it’s amusing that you already had 4 people biting/playing along) and nothing to lose with internet anonymity.

by natyong on Oct 6, 2008 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand your skepticism. I guess anyone with the right motives would post anything. However out of respect for my friend I must remain anonymous. Take the comment for what it is worth and know that another voice chimed in to say that Elite XC has offered the same kind of bonus that Seth referred to in his first statement. Before he was told to do damage control.

by mmafan on Oct 6, 2008 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Give “mmafan” a break guys, I too am friends with a fighter, a former UFC now Affliction fighter. It is possible for us normal everyday people to know fighters.

by ANance on Oct 7, 2008 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if Carano got a “get naked at the weigh-in” bonus. there should be an investigation there too.

by nandez44 on Oct 6, 2008 10:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hell NO!

Do Not investigate!

Wash your mouth out with soap!

by natyong on Oct 6, 2008 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

We might be able to overlook the fight fixing if this is true.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Oct 6, 2008 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude should of just took the money.

by smirnhoff on Oct 6, 2008 10:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

"Obviously we didn’t pay [Petruzelli] to stand," EliteXC Head of Fight Operations Jeremy Lappen told Sherdog.com on Monday when informed of Petruzelli’s comments. "Kimbo had trained for months to fight a guy who’s fighting on the ground. We don’t care if people stand or take people down or what. It doesn’t matter to us. All we want is an exciting fight."

http://sherdog.com/news/news/elitexc-denies-paying-petruzelli-to-stand-14673

by Chris Nelson on Oct 6, 2008 10:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Who said it was Lappen who offered?

by RoyalB on Oct 6, 2008 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Obviously THEY KNOW it is wrong! Either way what did Seth have to gain by saying it in the first place? It certainly didn’t help him in anyway. Elite XC obviously had a lot to gain by have him stand with Kimbo. Up until Seth knocked him out.

by mmafan on Oct 6, 2008 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Okay so they know it’s wrong and have stated so, You know for a fact that your “friend” was paid double to keep it standing in his fight with Kimbo. All other Kimbo opponents for the most part kept it standing. How was he paid? Who at EliteXC promised your unnamed friend the extra pay?

by natyong on Oct 6, 2008 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please email me.

by Luke Thomas on Oct 6, 2008 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have a Question for the bloody Bows bloggers

Do you guys really want a monopoly on MMA? The way every post comes it appears that way. How much is UFC dropping in your pocket to help destory the sport of MMA? I’m disgusited to read this type of thread on supposely legitimate site.

UFC you have won and Affliction, Pro Elite, Dream, WVR you are dead according to the bloggers on this site.

I thought we had real MMA fans, not organizational fans.

by KneesnBows on Oct 6, 2008 11:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought we had real MMA fans, not organizational fans.

This site does have real MMA fans, the people who want the sport to grow legitimately. This shit smacks of a fix that backfired on them and it has to be investigate, it has nothing to do with the UFC at all.
Are you saying you’re willing to sacrifice the integrity of your sport just so that one company doesn’t have a monopoly? That’s fucking insane man and you need to pull your head out sir because your blind hate for a company has totally removed any logic you have.

by pr0cs on Oct 7, 2008 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

believe it or not this hurts Zuffa more than Elite… these guys are on their way out no matter what.

This can potentially destroy the financial speculation in the business (sports betting). who do you think that hurts more?

But something has to be done for the good of the sport.

When people invest their time they have a right to know what the “rules” of the game are…

More importantly when people lay down their hard earned capital they have a right to a fair fight… not the VP of an org screaming at the ref to influence the outcome of a fight or any closed door shadiness.

If you don’t say anything now or don’t speak up now – you risk inviting more of these scum bags and bad practices into the sport…

by mmalogic on Oct 7, 2008 1:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The MMA media was mostly silent and not calling out and strongly challenging the Fraud Elite has been running with Kimbo Slice… why? because they didn’t want to hinder the growth of an mma org… so they mostly placated this.

And the result?

Almost every main stream sports outlet making fun of MMA this week…

So what hurt the sport more? suspending real analysis and not pointing out the fraud or the blow back once the bubble burst?

Short term pain with long term gain is way better than short term gain for long term pain.

by mmalogic on Oct 7, 2008 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

do you realize how many times we've

had our balls busted for hating on Dana and the UFC?

by Kid Nate on Oct 7, 2008 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tell me that Shaw in this video doesn’t look/sound coked out of his mind. This video helped convince me that this scumbag should NOT be promoting my sport. If this video doesn’t convince you that this guy shouldn’t be promoting fights nothing will.

by pr0cs on Oct 7, 2008 1:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

when did Ben Stiller become an MMA promoter? yes this guy is on something, and it’s not a downer.

by nandez44 on Oct 7, 2008 4:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hah! Hah!

I must agree with you on all points!

BUT that doesn’t make the fight fixed.

by natyong on Oct 7, 2008 4:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I would bet my small bank roll that he’s is coked out, that’s what people do when they are on coke….talk a lot and over explain things. The best part of the interview was when he said Dana White’s comments make him sound “stupider”. Need I say more?

by ANance on Oct 7, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OVERWHELMING RESPONSE

GUYS, I JUST GOTTA SAY, THIS IS BY FAR ONE OF THE TWO OR THREE BEST MMA NEWS OUTLETS IN PROBABLY THE WORLD, I CANT WAIT TO GET TO WORK IN THE MORNING AND CHECK OUT WHAT THE NEWEST STORIES ARE,AND THIS ONE IS A DOOZIE…THIS $KALA IS DEFINITALY DOING THE SPORT NO GOOD AND THIS COULD REALLY PUT A BLACK EYE ON THE INDUSTRY. WHILE I DONT WANT INVESTIGATIONS BY ANY ATHLETIC COMMISIONS, IN THIS SITUATION IT MAY CALL FOR IT, SO WE CAN GET SOME CLARIFICATION, AND FINALITY TO ALL THIS..AND AFTER SEEING THE REPLAY A FEW DOZEN TIMES I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE LET IT GO A LITTLE LONGER, KIMBO WAS SCRAMBLING AND NOT TAKING ANY REALLY HUGE SHOTS, I KNOW HE WAS HANGING ON TO THE REF FOR A BIT THERE AT THE END, BUT NOTHING SETH THREW WAS REALLY CONNECTING SOLIDLY…THOUGHTS?

by DUGASWARRIOR on Oct 7, 2008 5:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

...

I can’t tell if that is a paragraph or a block of letters.

by Dropkick434 on Oct 7, 2008 6:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

THOUGHTS

why are you yelling at me?

by pr0cs on Oct 7, 2008 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

glad you like Bloody Elbow

one tip — its considered rude to type in all caps.

by Kid Nate on Oct 7, 2008 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whether Petruzelli was asked or told to keep the fight standing is something an investigation may find out. The real story is knocking Kimbo out not only in 14 seconds but just knocking him out period. Wonder how far Elite stock dropped ? There’s always “a lucky punch” and I’ve read some fans are pissed saying Kimbo was knocked out with a hammer fist to the back of the head. I’m sure Kimbo was hit with a lot of illegal blows when fighting in parking lots yet he was never beaten there. Elite is in a world of hurt if Kimbo doesn’t bounce back and bounce back fighting a big name fighter. If they have him fighting some old timmer or a nobody the fans will drop off. The UFC must be giggling like little girls right now and lets face it, the UFC is the real world of MMA.

by Old School Fan on Oct 7, 2008 11:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs