Arlovski and Nelson to Fight on Oct. 4 on CBS for EliteXC?
Wednesday, September 24th, 2008
Sherdog.com as well as several other MMA sites are currently reporting inside news that former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski and IFl standout Roy Nelson have agreed to fight on the upcoming Oct. 4th EliteXC fight card on CBS. If so, this would be a tremendous boost to EliteXC’s television ratings and credibility.
MMARated.com actually reported the rumor first in an interview with EliteXC vice president Jared Shaw. In the interview Shaw had daring words for UFC President Dana White.
Jared Shaw: “ Obviously, in my eyes, it’s a win-win for both organizations but the biggest winner on this night are definitely the fans of mixed martial arts. This hits the mainstream, this hits the hardcore and, especially, this hits Dana White hard. Because he has to realize that there are some other big players in this game and now those players have decided to work together. Affliction gets it as promoters, we get it as promoters. We want to bring fans the best fights possible in the world.”
Sherdog.com reports things in a slightly safer manner by not absolutely confirming the fight.
Sherdog: “Arlovski’s management team would not comment Wednesday on the proposed bout, while Nelson’s attorney, Rod Donohoo, also refrained from remarks. However, Sherdog.com has learned from separate sources that both fighters have agreed in principle to the match and that contracts have been issued for review.
If the Arlovski/Nelson fight proves true, the potential of record high television ratings for the Oct. 4 EliteXC event on CBS are almost guaranteed. Like it or not, Kimbo Slice draws in a brand new demographic of young fans to the sport of MMA as well does Gina Carano. Add in two big names of MMA with recent links to both the UFC and IFL and the fan crossover is tremendously deep. And again, this is a free televised MMA event on national American television. What’s to stop the ratings?
