Zombie EXC Sighting: What does this mean?

by AJB on Jan 13, 2009 5:15 PM EST Comment 22 comments

I feel like someone in a horror movie, who knows that the undead have shambled by, but are at a loss to explain how or why. I suppose one could classify this as a "rumour", since I'm no more credible than any other anonymous poster on the internet. But regardless, this is true to the best of my knowledge, and it's my hope that someone can help make sense of this.

Yesterday I was down at the gym, talking with our head trainer. His second-in-charge is a pro fighter who had signed with Elite just prior to their going under. Thankfully, she didn't get caught up in the ugly mess that is the contract situation around EXC at the moment, because she never actually fought for them and her contract wasn't set to become active until the first fight. So, after sitting on the shelf for months, she finally agreed to another contract, this time with Palace Fighting.

This is where things get strange: The day after she agreed to her new contract, someone from Elite called her manager to say that they had heard about her new contract, and they weren't happy. Apparently, they think very highly of her and still want her to fight for them, and they won't make a stink about her taking one fight with another organization while she waits (how magnanimous of them), but they made the point of reminding her that she does have a contract with EXC.

How would they know about her new contract, when there hadn't been a press release? What is with the none-too-subtle threats, considering that her contact with EXC isn't even a valid contract (and everyone is aware of it)? Who was the person who actually made the call, and who do they think they are fooling? The only theory that anyone has put forward on this situation that makes any sense (and I'm not a fan of it, though it could logically follow through) is that CBS has decided to take over EXC, and that all of this other nonsense was an effort to both buy time and lower what they would have to pay for the product. In this theory, there are CBC staffers and contractors preparing infrastructure and keeping an eye on assets behind the scenes. I think that's more than a little bit of a stretch, but I'm at a loss to explain this.

Thoughts?

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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Rec’d.

by Luke Thomas on Jan 13, 2009 5:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It means that the revolution against the shell that remains has begun. KJ’s fired a salvo as well. Hopefully, public opinion weighs on whatever judge will eventually have to hear this if zombie EXC presses on.

by subo on Jan 13, 2009 5:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Plot Thickens

Sounds like some weird shit to me – and once again the fighters are getting dicked. If this is true it needs to be made very public that CBS intentionally stalled negotiations keeping the fighters out of work.

by donkeypunch on Jan 13, 2009 6:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I not even sure of what to say. Disturbing, terrifying, and deeply, deeply, saddening.

On the plus side, certainly rec’d.

by Rundownloser on Jan 13, 2009 6:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I am pretty sure you are talking about Sarah kaufman.
:)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jan 13, 2009 6:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I refuse to confirm or deny… (I didn’t ask yet if I could talk about this publicly.)

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Jan 13, 2009 6:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Do you mean ask her, or…

Just busting your balls, my friend. Rec’d.

by subo on Jan 13, 2009 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough; a little ball busting keeps us all humble. And yeah, I figured it was safe to talk in generalities since everyone at the gym was discussing it openly, but I don’t want to attach a fighter’s name to anything without their permission (given that it’s someone I know – I’ve obviously spent too much time dealing with academia’s ethics concerns).

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Jan 13, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, it could be Erin Toughhill as well.
Sarah or Erin.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jan 15, 2009 7:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

by Discman2 on Jan 13, 2009 7:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I really wish that information was more surprising.

by Rundownloser on Jan 13, 2009 9:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No conspiracy

If your on the line for $55 million you’ll also be up to shady behavior to intimidate anyone if it means pulling in a few extra dollars.

EliteXC is doing a good job preventing their fighters from attempting to sign elsewhere but based on everything Dave Meltzer has published their contracts might be void. Question is, when is someone going to push back and challenge them?

by bignerd on Jan 13, 2009 9:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If I switch out ‘preventing their fighters from attempting to sign elsewhere’ with ‘fucking their fighters directly in the ass’, the sentence loses no meaning.

by subo on Jan 13, 2009 10:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Apparently the fighters are going to start pushing back(about time):

EliteXC Fighters Fighting Back Together
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2009/1/13/719899/elitexc-fighters-fighting

by who me on Jan 13, 2009 10:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting Stuff.

I don’t know what to make of it. I refuse to believe EXC is coming back in any form until something actually happens. There’s been so much talk that has yet to go anywhere. Rec’d.

by Cannon Jacques on Jan 14, 2009 9:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Small update:

I talked to our head trainer again last night, and he told me that the EXC representative insisted that they would have a deal finalized for the sale of Elite by early February and a show in late March or early April. Absolutely insisted on it. Again, the theory floating around our gym is that CBS is sort of holding the negotiations for the promotion hostage while they wait for the price of assets to drop and fighters to get desperate to fight. Still not sure I believe it, but we’ll see.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Jan 15, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Evil.

by Rundownloser on Jan 15, 2009 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What is CBS motivation for having the price of assets drop and fighters willing to take less money? Do they plan on buying the promotion?

by bignerd on Jan 15, 2009 5:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That seems to be the implication.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Jan 15, 2009 6:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, did you read my write up:

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2009/1/14/723103/trebilcock-plans-for-revam

In anticipation of a possible deal with CBS and Pro Elite, Trebilcock (KOTC) has lined up venues in New Mexico and Southern California for a possible March event, though he wouldn’t say where.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jan 15, 2009 7:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I did read it, but one thing I didn’t mention was that they (the fighter and our coach) were certain that Terry Trebilcock was NOT involved, so I have no idea what the hell to think. I’m honestly confused, and I think I will be until something actually becomes public.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Jan 15, 2009 9:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

One thing is for sure. This whole saga is interesting. I hope everything turns out well for your friend. Even if CBS were to end up with EXC, I don’t see how it can sustain itself with the UFC being as dominant as it is. Sure, they can put on some shows that won’t cost much for CBS to produce, but they’ve got to do more than that to succeed. I’m skeptical about this scenario. It just seems like a lot of potential trouble for CBS, especially after the way the first buyout attempt went down. I guess we shall see, eventually.

by Cannon Jacques on Jan 15, 2009 11:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs