EliteXC: Primetime Commentary Cast Proves People Listen to Me

by Luke Thomas on May 19, 2008 6:25 PM EDT in MMA News

Or so I'd like to think.

In case you hadn't heard, neither Stephen Quadros (whom I admire) nor Bill Goldberg will be part of the CBS broadcast team for EliteXC's show later this month. Instead, Mauro Ranallo, Frank Shamrock and Gus Johnson - yes, that Gus Johnson - will be speaking to America's homes.

Unequivocally, this is an excellent decision. While Quadros is quite adept as a MMA commentator, he's a little too wooden and robotic when commentating larger events. He's also not nearly as telegenic as Johnson. Goldberg, a huge supporter of the sport, is simply not a professional grade broadcaster. While some MMA fans do not enjoy Ranallo's use of metaphors and similes, he is easy to work with, a very competent broadcaster and MMA fan.

For sure, there are some risks involved with this move. Shamrock unprofessionally "outed" Josh Thomson as the first openly gay MMA fighter during a Strikeforce event being streamed on Yahoo! Worse, Gus Johnson has not - to my knowledge - ever commentated a mixed martial arts event. His unfamiliarity with the sport could cheapen the product and the event. But I don't think that's likely. In the veteran and (ostensibly) professional hands of Shamrock and Ranallo, Johnson's excellent ability and recognizable face should lend enormously credibility to the broadcast team and EliteXC show.

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Comments

Getting rid of Goldberg helps.

by Popetastic on May 19, 2008 8:33 PM EDT reply actions

I think having someone in the booth that might not know the technical aspect of MMA might actually help the people watching it for the first time. It could give the average person someone to relate to and his questions could provide great opportunitys for Renallo and Shamrock to explain what is going on.

by Higgz on May 19, 2008 9:48 PM EDT reply actions

Gus was always EliteXC’s first choice dating back to their first show, but he said on an ESPN podcast that doing shows on Saturday nights would conflict too much with his NCAA work. Aside from Lon McEachern I can’t think of a better guy to do play by play

by smoogy on May 19, 2008 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

Wait

I seriously doubt Gus is doing p-b-p. That’s Mauro’s gig. There’s no chance Mauro is doing anything but p-b-p given that Gus is the far more versatile broadcaster and Mauro’s likely WAY more knowledgeable about MMA than Gus. I could be wrong, but…

by Luke Thomas on May 19, 2008 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Gus Johnson to call play-by-play during EliteXC: Primetime on CBS

“FiveOuncesOfPain.com has learned from those attending the press conference that Gus Johnson has been announced as the lead play-by-play announcer for the historic event.”

Sorry but I couldn’t resist.

I think it’ll be interesting to see, because Gus does a lot of the same things Mauro does in terms of bringing the sense of excitement to the viewers. Maybe we’ll see Mr. 25cm Pole in a more subdued mode, because he has to realize Gus is one of CBS’ blue chippers, and one of those guys (like McEachern) who can cover up for their lack of knowledge when calling a new sport because he knows when to bluff and when to defer to his color guys.

by smoogy on May 19, 2008 11:42 PM EDT reply actions