Like many others, I've been hoping that the ProElite situation would soon work itself out, and the EliteXC fighters under contract would be able to resume their respective careers.  While it's quite obvious that denying fighters a means to earn a living in their chosen profession is an economic hardship to these specific individuals, the whole debacle creates further ramifications for the entire sport of MMA.  I've decided to list and explain a few that have come to mind.

1) The ugly public affair conveys a negative image of the sport to fans.  If you're an avid follower of BloodyElbow.com or similar MMA blogs, you likely understand that ProElite isn't a good example of how a big time MMA promotion operates.  However, if you're not terribly familiar with MMA but have caught a fight card or two on TV, you may be led to believe that promoters of MMA lack professionalism and the ability to run a company that can be counted on to deliver a product worthy of time and attention.  Admittedly, the success of the UFC probably tempers this effect significantly, but the fact remains that the only promotion to ever inhabit a time slot on prime time network television is basically broke and holding its only valuable assets hostage.  That's not a pretty picture for would-be fans.

2) A broken company floundering with one desperate goal - selling fighter contracts - undermines confidence in other upstart promotions.  This pertains to both potential investors and fighters that might sign with the upstart promotion in question.  I don't believe that trying to unseat the UFC as the dominant MMA promtion in North America is a fruitful endeavor.  The time for such a goal has come and gone, at least for the forseeable future.  The problem is that potential investors may well view ProElite's predicament as a likely result for other non-Zuffa promotions, whether they plan to compete with the UFC or not.  On the same token, fighters trying to build a career may be unwilling to sign contracts with promotions for fear that they could be left in a situation similar to what the EliteXC fighters currently face.  In this case, decent research might alay the fears of both groups.  However, we all know that a negative first impression is often hard to shake.  These lower and mid tier promotions are necessary even if there is only one major promotion at the pinnacle of the sport.

3) Female MMA is being hindered along with its most recognizable stars.  Saying that Gina Carano is important to the future of female MMA is like saying that Michael Jordan was a pretty decent basketball player.  For better or worse, she is currently the public face of the female version of the sport.  Cris "Cyborg" Santos may be the second most well known female fighter since she was the only female besides Carano to receive a significant marketing push from EliteXC.  EliteXC deserves credit for giving women a stage to ply their trade.  Regrettably, they're quickly  undoing what strides the promotion made in that regard.  Santos is said to be fighting in February.  Unfortunately for her, it won't garner the attention of a fight with Carano, something that was being built toward when ProElite practically folded.  Momentum is important in building up fights.  The momentum behind a Carano/Cyborg super fight is dissipating while this insanity continues to prevail.  Women face an uphill battle when trying to gain a strong audience for their sports.  It's impossible to know whether female MMA will be successful in the long-term, but these female fighters deserve the opportunity to make their sport a success.  Currently, the women of MMA are suffering due to the layoff of their sport's most recognizable figure(s).

It's not possible for me to quantify the significance of the consequences produced by what remains of ProElite.  I am comfortable in saying that the scenario is a net negative for the sport of MMA.  Professional athletes of all kinds have short careers when compared to most professions.  MMA fighters are no different.  Those fighters under contract with EliteXC can't afford a prolonged disruption in their careers.  Furthermore, a sport in its infancy doesn't need the baggage that comes with this completely ridiculous situation.