Report: ProElite Planning On Promoting 2009 Events

No, it's not a Halloween trick. ProElite/EliteXC might not be done yet, according to a report on MMAWeekly.com.

The MMA news site said they learned Sunday that the company has notified several fighter managers that they intend to promote fights in 2009 and are disputing bankruptcy claims.

From the post:

"“Elite XC and ProElite are currently downsizing its staff in an effort to improve its business moving forward,” the notice states. “As this process is implemented, Elite XC cancelled the event previously scheduled for Nov. 8 in attempt to re-schedule another event in early 2009.”"

This news comes less than two weeks after they sent out notices (10/20) that they were ceasing operations and letting employees go and Manager of Fight Operations JT Steele informing the Nevada State Athletic Commission that the company was shutting down. No one from the company has commented yet on this news.

Five Ounces of Pain found the news on GracieFighter.com and is speculating that the news could be to invoke a legal technicality as the company attempts to sell off assets, saying "the latest notice could be in response to the managers of Robbie Lawler and Nick Diaz formally notifying the promotion of a perceived breach of their respective fighters’ contracts."

No matter what, these fighters have to be able to ply their trade somewhere and continue to earn money. Just because they are under contract doesn't mean they are getting paid and for some of these guys, that's a killer situation to be in. I understand that this comes down to business, but I'd like to believe that someone out there will look out for these guys and do the right thing. Unfortunately, I don't think that's going to happen and that's not good for anyone.

Josh Nason has written and maintained Ropes, Ring and Cage since 2007. He can be reached at [e-mail].