Forum

I agree that Kimo will more then likely win the fight. But, I don't doubt for one second that if Tank lands a clean shot on Kimo, he'll be asleep on the mat. I don't care how good of chin Kimo has. Just ask Cabbage.....

I agree that Kimo will more then likely win the fight. But, I don't doubt for one second that if Tank lands a clean shot on Kimo, he'll be asleep on the mat. I don't care how good of chin Kimo has. Just ask Cabbage.....

Looks like this event will also be aired LIVE on The Fight Network...:)

The Fight Network :: ALL FIGHTS ALL THE TIME :: Get it on!

She's pretty popular around here so I figured I'd give you a Gina update...

Although Gina Carano has been scratched from the organization�s Feb. 16 card, Shaw insisted that it was simply a matter of the fighter being too busy due to her �American Gladiators� press and promotional commitments. Carano joined the cast of the NBC show as the gladiator �Crush.� Shaw expects Carano to compete next at the organization�s March 29 event, which features a main event of Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le.

It came from this story with some other EliteXC news (or should I say rumors)

Gary Shaw: Kimbo Slice vs. Sean Gannon II �Possible� in EliteXC -- MMAjunkie.com

Don't say that lol. I can't believe they were stupid enough to announce one of their stars(Gina) when it wasn't confirmed. Just plain moronic.

Sirs,

This is highly upsetting.

I've discovered on the internet this morning that I've been dropped from my fight with Silva. Dropped? Finding out on the internet? Bit of an insult don't you think?

To quote Gary Shaw himself, 'we put the fighters first, they are the stars. We will do everything we can to put them first.' I was at the press meet in London when he said this. This does not seem to ring true at all in practice, and even if Gary Shaw believes this, his staff definitely do not subscribe.

Let me explain the effects of Elite XC playing with someone's life. My life.

I spoke with Dave O'Donnell of Cage Rage this morning. He says you contacted him late last night (I missed his call - I had already gone to bed!) and told him to tell me that you have dropped me due to my eyesight and the question whether I could achieve a license in Florida. As explained quite clearly to you I was licensed in 2006 twice by Florida. I provided you with the medical documentation that achieved my license to fight in Florida. I personally contacted Florida State Athletic Commission who confirmed that the medical documentation I presented was acceptable, and they confirmed that with these presented facts I would be licensed in Florida. I believe that either JT Steele is incompetent or even negligent for not checking his facts (as evidenced below in previous emails) or is hiding behind a different agenda.

The fight was offered, and basic terms offered. A negotiation took place and the basic terms agreed on. Offer and acceptance. Elite XC publish and advertise the fight. I put my life on hold.

I throw myself into training specifically for this fight. I book in trainingpartners. I book in sparring with the British Army Boxing Team. I am traveling the UK to ensure I get to spar and train with the best of Britain. My kickboxing, boxing and grappling coaches throw their commitment behind me. I book in specific training partners to ensure I am prepared for Silva.

I become my training!

As soon as Elite XC announced the fight publicly I spent time marketing the fight on the internet and contacting friends in Florida and the USA and Canada, ensuring that I could ensure good ticket and PPV sales. I even have a group of people here in the UK that are looking at flying out to watch the fight live.

I have my own business as a Building Surveyor who is Chartered (closest thing to this in the US is probably an Architect), and I have cancelled all my work running up to the fight in order to immerse myself in my preparations. This loss of business, and the knock on business it would generate, is obviously highly costly to me, and that work is now lost.

The timing of the fight is bad for personal relationships, with me not going to be at home on 14th February, which is Valentine's Day in the UK, an important date for any relationship in the UK! Obviously my fianc�e is upset that I won't be doing anything with her that day, as I have put my sport before her.

Further, I have not earned money since the fight was accepted, yet have experienced numerous costs in training, let alone my living expense and mortgage that my fianc�e will have to cover for this period. Can I ask what I am supposed to live on?

And then you decide to drop me, without even contacting me first. It is not just me who is affected.

Your 'decision' also affects everyone involved in my training. My coaches make personal and financial sacrifices to support me. The same with my training partners. Our personal lives are adversely affected by all of our commitment to prepare and be the best we can be the day of a fight.

So now the fight doesn't take place, apparently at your unqualified 'whim'. I now have to go on the internet and explain why this fight is not taking place. I have to explain that I can, and have, a license to fight in Florida. I have to explain that I had nothing whatsoever to do with the fight not taking place. I have to make it clear to other promoters that I am a committed sportsman who when HE AGREES to something to do whatever necessary to perform to his best. I have to make it clear that I am a professional who checks he can do what he says he can do prior to making an agreement. I have to confirm with everyone who questions that I had nothing at all to do with your decision to stop this fight from taking place.

Obviously I am very upset this morning, but have tried to remain objective in this email.

I want to know the real background as to why this fight is not taking place and the reasons behind your decision. And what you are going to do to put it right.

GARY TURNER

For sure! They�ve always known I�d take on any opponent so they knew I�d say yes as soon as it was offered. Dave and Andy have done so much for UK MMA, and we are looking at continuing fighting for Cage Rage concurrently with the Elite XC action, as they are such professional lads to work with.

She's pretty popular around here so I figured I'd give you a Gina update...

Although Gina Carano has been scratched from the organization�s Feb. 16 card, Shaw insisted that it was simply a matter of the fighter being too busy due to her �American Gladiators� press and promotional commitments. Carano joined the cast of the NBC show as the gladiator �Crush.� Shaw expects Carano to compete next at the organization�s March 29 event, which features a main event of Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le.

It came from this story with some other EliteXC news (or should I say rumors)

Gary Shaw: Kimbo Slice vs. Sean Gannon II �Possible� in EliteXC -- MMAjunkie.com

What a great news, a next British warrior, recognized by EliteXC! How does it feel to get a chance in the US?
Fantastic! I�ve fought in the USA and Canada in two Thai fights, one K1 rules fight, and won four sport ju jitsu world titles, and have always been well received. Now I�ll be adding MMA to the list of sports I�ve competed at in the USA, and hopefully I�ll be able to show just how tough the British are! Elite XC really support and build their fighters, so I�ll be looking forward to working with them.

Towards the end of your carreer you signed a two year contract. Does this feel like 'an old chair', comfy feeling?
To be honest, not at all! There�s nothing comfortable about fighting, so I�ll leave the chair and slippers until I�m an old man � too much work to do in the mean time! I�ll worry about feeling comfortable when I�ve got through all my contracted opponents�

I think that the Promoters of Cage Rage, Dave O'Donnel and Andy Geer, deserve a big THANK YOU, as they believe in you this strong?
For sure! They�ve always known I�d take on any opponent so they knew I�d say yes as soon as it was offered. Dave and Andy have done so much for UK MMA, and we are looking at continuing fighting for Cage Rage concurrently with the Elite XC action, as they are such professional lads to work with.

What was your first thought when you heard about your oponent; Antonio 'JUNIOR' Silva?

�Here we go again!�

Throughout my career I�ve never had an easy fight, and this one is no different. He has a good following already for his knockout style, and is well respected on the MMA circuits. This will be a good fight for my MMA credibility.

Do you need to adjust your training or is he just one of the strong guys to fight?
As all my opponents have been big and strong, he will be treated no differently by way of my conditioning. Technically we will be putting in place a strategy to facilitate me winning, so we will adjust my training to ensure we are technically well prepared for this particular opponent. But to be honest, he�s just one more step on the journey, no different to most of my other opponents � big, strong and scary!

Does the difference of height and weight bother you?
Well I�ve fought much taller and heavier many times before, so its nothing new for me. I�ve always been known as a bit of a �giant killer�, being just little ol� smiley me, fighting the big fellas. I could easily slip down a weight, but hey, I love my food! If I was bothered I�d just drop weight to avoid them, but there�s �not a flicker on the bother meter� as my friend�s daughter Chloe says! Besides, my grappling training partner is 6�4� and 150kg, and my brothers are 6�5� and 6�4�, so I kind of live in a large environment to start with.

Did you allready sort out any tactic with your team and coaches?
For sure! As soon as the fight was on offer my training was adjusted. We studied footage of his fights, and have spotted numerous flaws for me to take advantage of. Don�t get me wrong, this will always be a tough fight, but if I manage to implement the strategy I should achieve the win with minimum risk without once again testing my jaw.

How do you prepare on a fight like this?
My team and I set in place a training schedule, and constantly monitor my progression and performance. I train 2-4 times per day, Monday to Friday, each session with purpose and executed as efficiently as possible. At present I train in kickboxing, boxing, judo, MMA grappling, and have been frequenting BJJ also. Conditioning is carried out in short and sharp sessions separate to the technical work. I�ve been training for so long now that I have good skills across all the MMA disciplines, so the focus now is on variety so I don�t come across something new while in the cage. I also get to train at some interesting places, often traveling to train with different schools and fighters. Recently I have been fortunate enough to train intensely with the British Army, Navy, Air Force and Special Forces judo squads, and in part-preparation for my fight with Antonio I am sparring with the British Army Heavy and Super-heavyweight boxers.

We've seen you bringing chocolates to the press conference. Any ideas for 'Junior'?
Well, you have to have manners don�t you? You can�t meet some like Antonio without bringing a present! At the moment I�m thinking of giving him some plant food � I�m thinking along the lines of Jack and the Beanstalk, him being the giant and me being the Union �Jack�! Nah, you�ll have to see at the press meet!

Is there anything you would like to share with your fans?
Yeah, don�t rub your eyes after chopping chillis!

Seriously though, I�d like to say thanks for their continued support, and let them know that this fight will be a firecracker! I�m looking at doing something that none of Antonio�s previous opponents have done � actually fight him! Thanks as well to my trainers Andre and Steve, my physio Roland, my manager Jeroen, my sponsors Evolution and EAS, Osaka Judo Club, The British Army, all my training partners, the little lady I bought a cup of tea in the local caf� as she had no change � have I left anyone out?!?

Good luck defeating this big fellow!
Thanks! As always, I�ll do my best!

http://www.mat-magazine.com/mat/inde...253&Ite mid=2

I agree that Kimo will more then likely win the fight. But, I don't doubt for one second that if Tank lands a clean shot on Kimo, he'll be asleep on the mat. I don't care how good of chin Kimo has. Just ask Cabbage.....

Next thing we know ****in Ruben Villareal will be on the card.