EliteXC - Going Under Fast

Were you watching on Saturday night when EliteXC put on their second CBS show? Me neither. Apparently 40% of the people that watched the first circus of a show didn't feel like wasting their time with it either. I can't say I'm 100% surprised either. The hardcore MMA fans that tuned into the first one saw rappers coming out with fighters (Busta Rhymes), "Big Black" from MTV trying to get camera time during post fight interviews, EliteXC dancers (nice eye candy, but unprofessional by today's MMA standards set by the UFC), and much more that just shouldn't be in a MMA telecast.

So how bad did "Unfinished Business" do?

"Of the 8,541 tickets the organization printed for the event, just 2,871 were sold. A total of 3,701 were given away, and 2,023 "deadwood" tickets went unused, according to paperwork of the California State Athletic Commission"

"Unfinished Business also turned out to be a ratings bust; after peaking with more than 6.5 million viewers for its network-TV debut in May, this past Saturday's ratings slipped by more than 40 percent. A simultaneous Spike TV replay of UFC 84 -- an event two months' old -- actually drew more viewers (433,000 to 341,000) in the covered "males 18-34" demographic, though EliteXC scored a slightly higher overall rating."

- mmajunkie.com

When you're getting beaten by something on CABLE TV that aired 2 months ago, it's time to call it a day. Not to mention Gary Shaw and Doug DeLuca resigning from their respective positions at ProElite, Inc.

Bottom line is that EliteXC is left pretty much without a true leader and are coming off a pitiful showing at their last event. Props to Dana White for putting on the Penn vs. Sherk at the same time and talking about a "Huge Announcement" to be shown during it. He knows how to take care of his competition.

Who knows? UFC recently purchased WEC and IFL, maybe EliteXC will be next. If not, then at least we can see people like Jake Shields, Nick Diaz, KJ Noons fight people who are up to their level. Or possibly Kimbo vs. a Non-Can?

At any rate, good luck on your next event EliteXC, it could be your last. Probably won't need much luck though considering its the return of Kimbo and Gina Carrano. We'll see if it's enough to keep them afloat though.