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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