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After looking at the demise of Elite XC in my last few columns, I’ve decided to finish of my look at the company by giving my thoughts on where there top twenty fighters should go. I’ll be looking at the top fighters in Elite XC from KJ Noons to Kimbo Slice and the promotions they should compete in from the UFC to Dream.
1. KJ Noons
The relationship between former Elite XC Lightweight Champion KJ Noons and Elite XC died before the company even went under. It seems that KJ Noons and his management company have a higher opinion of his skills then the MMA community actually has. It would seem right now that KJ Noons best fit could be with World Extreme Cagefighting or Affliction, because the UFC’s lightweight division is to stacked for KJ Noons right now.
2. Gina Carano
The so called “face of women’s MMA” Gina Carano finds herself in a really interesting position after the demise of Elite XC. With UFC honcho Dana White saying neither the UFC or WEC will promote women’s MMA, it narrows the field down for Gina Carano. Unless Zuffa changes its mind concerning women’s MMA, Gina Carano should look to fight in either Strikeforce or the American Fight League, when it debuts early next year.
3. Joey Villasenor
The bad luck middleweight fighter of Elite XC seemingly never got to realize his full potential in the company after losing an Elite XC Middleweight Title fight to Murilo Rua, then never getting his next title opportunity against champion Robbie Lawler due to Elite XC ceasing operations. Joey Villasenor could be looking for a home in either Affliction or Strikeforce, because both promotions are looking for fighters to build with as they expand nationally.
4. Antonio Silva
The one they call “big foot” is another fighter in an interesting position due to his one years suspension by the CSAC after being caught using steroids. After destroying UFC veterans like Wesley Correira, Ricco Rodriguez and Justin Eilers in Elite XC competition, Antonio Silva could seemingly find himself in the UFC one day. However, I believe the best opportunities for Antonio Silva will come internationally in promotions like Cage Rage, Dream or World Victory Road.
5. Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock is one of the few fighters who could pretty much pick and choose where he wants to go because he has skills both as a fighter and as a color commentator. As a color commentator, Frank Shamrock should look to go to Affliction or Strikeforce as they continue there expansion into the national MMA scene. As a fighter, Frank Shamrock already has a deal signed to fight step-brother Ken Shamrock, so whatever promotion holds the fight is where he should be going.
6. Murilo Rua
The first ever Elite XC Middleweight Champion, Murilo Rua, last fought at Elite XC On CBS III with a loss to Benji Radach. It would be easy to assume that Murilo Rua could follow his brother Mauricio Rua to the UFC, which would make sense. If no opportunity in the UFC arrives, Murilo Rua could easily return to international competition like Dream, World Victory Road or Cage Rage, but do not count out a run in the UFC at all.
7. Robbie Lawler
The final Elite XC Middleweight Champion finds himself in a really interesting position because the UFC has already shown interest in him. For you new MMA fans out there, Robbie Lawler has previously competed in the UFC, but left the promotion after losing to the late Evan Tanner at UFC 50. Outside of a potential UFC return, Robbie Lawler can presumably go to Strikeforce and fight Cung Le for the Strikeforce Middleweight Title.
8. Nick Diaz
The bad boy of Elite XC had an interesting run in the company that culminated with an involvement in the KJ Noons/Elite XC divorce. After leaving the UFC a few years ago, Nick Diaz has found a lot of success competing internationally in Japan. With the UFC showing interest in Nick Diaz, it would seem fitting that Nick Diaz return to the UFC and reunite with his brother Nate Diaz in the UFC. Nick Diaz finds himself in an interesting predicament because he is very much in demand all over the MMA world.
9. Jake Shields
Most people in the MMA community believe that Jake Shields is the best welterweight fighter that has never competed in the UFC. Jake Shields was seemingly never tested much in Elite XC competition with dominant victories over Nick Thompson, Renato Verisimmo, Mike Pyle and Paul Daley. Jake Shields would make an interesting fit in both the UFC and WEC, especially in the WEC where he could face of with WEC Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit.
10. Kimbo Slice
Elite XC built the entire company around Kimbo Slice from the second event on and it only took fourteen seconds to bring everything down. Rumors have started spreading around the MMA community that Kimbo Slice may meet Seth Petruzelli at the K-1 Dynamite 2008 event. Even the UFC made an offer to Kimbo Slice, to be a competitor on a future season of the UFC Ultimate Fighter. Kimbo Slice will probably find a home competing in Japanese MMA, which has used freak show fighters on their cards.
11. Yves Edwards
Yves Edwards was involved in some odd Elite XC history as well because he was the last fighter to challenge for the Elite XC Lightweight Title. Yves Edwards has already signed to face Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Josh Thomson for the title this month. After the event is completed, I’d expect Yves Edwards to possibly stay with Strikeforce, but I wouldn’t rule out a possible return to the UFC down the line as well.
12. Brett Rogers
After what was seemingly a guaranteed fight with Kimbo Slice turned into a nightmare for Brett Rogers after Elite XC went under. Brett Rogers may not have enough name value or fighting skills to make a UFC run at this current period of time. However, possible runs in Strikeforce and Affliction cannot be ruled out at the moment, but I expect to maybe see Brett Rogers fight in smaller groups like Extreme Challenge or Adrenaline MMA before making a big time run.
13. Scott Smith
Along with opponent Robbie Lawler, Scott Smith was easily involved in two of the best fights during the three Elite XC On CBS events. Scott Smith could make a return to the UFC, where he was a cast member on the UFC Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback. Outside of the UFC, Scott Smith could make a run for himself in the Strikeforce promotion, where possible fights with Luke Stewart and Cung Le could become a reality.
14. Rafael Feijo
If Elite XC hadn’t closed down in October, Rafael Feijo would’ve been pushed as the top light heavyweight fighter in the promotion and possibly its first Elite XC Light Heavyweight Champion. Rafael Feijo does have the talent to make it in the UFC, but I would guess that we could see Rafael Feijo turn to international competition for the time being in promotions like DREAM or World Victory Road.
15. Dave Herman
When Antonio Silva was suspended for one year following his positive steroid test, many people in the MMA community thought Dave Herman would be considered one of the fighters in line to become the next Elite XC Heavyweight Champion. Dave Herman is a talented enough fighter right now to be successful in the UFC, where is the promotion I’d expect him to fight in.
16. Wilson Reis
Wilson Reis became the first ever Elite XC Featherweight Champion by defeating Abe Cullum, then Elite XC shut down two weeks later. The best move for Wilson Reis could be to the WEC, where a potential big money fight with current WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber may not be to far away in both fighters careers.
17. Cristiane Santos
The potential battle between Cristiane Santos and Gina Carano may never actually happen after the death of Elite XC. There are potential homes for Cristiane Santos to compete in stateside, mainly in the new American Fight League. From a money making perspective, it may be best for Cristiane Santos to see which promotion Gina Carano signs with and immediately follow her there.
18. Benji Radach
After destroying Murilo Rua at Elite XC On CBS III, it seemed that Benji Radach was easily on his way to an Elite XC Middleweight Title fight until the promotion died. Benji Radach is a good enough fighter to make a good run in the UFC, but I feel that Benji Radach could find his way to the Affliction or DREAM promotions.
19. Seth Petruzelli
Very few people can say that their lives have changed in just fourteen seconds, but that’s exactly what happened to Seth Petruzelli after he destroyed Kimbo Slice at Elite XC On CBS III. Seth Petruzelli’s comments may have killed Elite XC more than his fists did, but I’d expect to see him end up in K-1 Dynamite or even the UFC down the line.
20. Edson Berto
The little known lightweight fighter of Elite XC, Edson Berto fought two of the top fighters in Elite XC in KJ Noons and Yves Edwards. Edson Berto may be the least wanted fighter of all Elite XC fighters, but I could see him make a run in the WEC or run in the smaller events like Gladiator Challenge.
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
