EliteXC, the mixed martial arts promotion with a network television deal to show live fights on CBS, announced today that it has signed a long-term contract extension with the internet fighting sensation Kimbo Slice.Slice, a hard-punching brawler without much in the way of MMA skills, is EliteXC's biggest draw, and there had been some talk that he might use EliteXC as a stepping stone. But he will apparently stick with EliteXC. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the contract was described as "multi-year." Slice will fight in the main event of the first EliteXC show on CBS on May 31. His opponent has not been officially announced, but it has been reported that it will be James "Megapunk" Thompson.
EliteXC also announced contract extensions with Gina Carano, America's highest-profile female MMA fighter, and with Robbie Lawler, the EliteXC middleweight champion who is probably EliteXC's most accomplished fighter.
In a statement that was clearly designed as a dig at UFC, EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw said:
"Fighters know EliteXC is the place to be and the organization to fight for, which is why we've always been able to sign or re-sign almost each and every one of our fighters.You don't see our guys leaving. With us, it's family and all about the fighters. Every fighter who has fought on an EliteXC card has come away being ambassadors for EliteXC."UFC President Dana White can't say that.
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