I got this in a press release last night:
"We're thrilled to have signed Ken and Ryan Shamrock,'' said EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw, who made the announcement Monday. "Ken is one of the most recognizable and popular figures in MMA. He has fought the biggest and some of the most important fights in MMA history.
"Ken is responsible for putting MMA on the worldwide map and making it what it is today. I have the utmost respect for all the Shamrocks. Believe me, I have signed fighters with EliteXC and many more in boxing, but I can truly say I'm as excited about this signing as I have ever been.
"I'm realIy looking forward to seeing the Shamrocks in action.''
Shaw isn't wasting time putting Ken (kenshamrock.proelite.com), who has defeated the likes of Bas Rutten, Maurice Smith, Dan "The Beast" Severn and Kimo in his illustrious career, and Ryan (ryanshamrock.proelite.com) to work.
Father and son will compete on the same card when they fight on "EliteXC Presents: Cage Rage 25'' on Saturday, March 8, at Wembley Arena in London, England.
Congrats to Shamrock and son. I'd rather see a Shamrock vs. Shamrock fight than two of their names on the same card against different opponents, but you have to get in where you fit in.
Is this a smart move by EliteXC? I don't think it's that big a deal either way. They are placing Shamrock in the Cage Rage promotion, literally an ocean away from MMA actions North American fans can easily watch. They are likely as concerned for his health and leery about his abilities as the rest of us.
I do not wish to be a negative prick this afternoon, so I'll spare Pro Elite and the Shamrocks real ridicule. They are doing for themselves what they believe to be the best course of action at this time. I will applaud that effort and wish them the best at Cage Rage.