Like the undead scourge in various movies, Pro Elite is coming back from the dead.  Now for those who do not know Pro Elite is the company that ran EliteXC. They are most well known for having MMA on CBS and signing Kimbo Slice to their promotion.  They have run 21 shows so far, with their last show on CBS being the infamous EliteXC: Heat show.  You know…the one where Ken Shamrock was injured in the back, Seth Petruzelli agreed to fight Kimbo hours before the show started then won and accusations of attempts to fix the fight where levied. Well that spelled the end of the company on mainstream TV. It eventually would cease operations on October 20^th 2008 due to mismanagement and financial constraints.

Can anyone say they really missed EliteXC? Yes for me It was my first experience with MMA but looking back at videos, other than the fact that it was free I don’t miss it. Well Stratus Media Group, Inc.  is buying them up and taking over their board of directors and management.  Now what Is Stratus Media Group, Inc?  They are a live entertainment company and  it would appear they do concerts and live sports also.

Is this a good thing though? The MMA market is packed in North America, having UFC, Strikeforce and Bellator (which is coming back for it’s second season).  As of right now, Pro Elite does not have a TV deal.  The question must be asked, what will this do to talent people complaining that the talent is already split to much with UFC and Strikeforce?  They’re fighting over names while in the background Bellator just goes and finds these awesome prospects.  Maybe Tim Sylvia will finally get to fight on a big show again since Adrenaline MMA V was just cancelled, this guy can’t seem to catch a break .  Is the revival of a brand that ultimately hurt the reputation of MMA fighters really a positive thing for the sport considering it’s fast growing mainstream attention?

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