ProElite is back. The guys who ran EliteXC have decided to get back in the MMA game, and their first show will be on August 27th in Honolulu. They have hired former
Strikeforce matchmaker Rich Chou and former ICON Sport promoter T. Jay Thompson to oversee things, and are assembling talent for this event.
MMA Payout did an informative two-part interview with Thompson that revealed many things about the relaunched promotion:
- The first event will likely be "streamed on a major MMA website", at 1 a.m. ET/10 p.m. PT. This is right after UFC 134.
- They are looking to promote one more 2011 show in November, and should have a TV deal in place by then.
- They will use a circular cage, just like EliteXC.
- Woman's MMA will be promoted by ProElite, and they've already signed Olympic wrestler Sara McMann.
As for the August 27th card, a few different pieces of the puzzle have fallen into place.
MMAFighting reports that B.J. Penn's younger brother and BJJ black belt Reagan Penn will make his MMA debut on the card in the welterweight division.
They also say that former UFC heavyweight champion
Andrei Arlovski and NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion Mark Ellis have been signed and will fight in separate bouts on the card. And today, a rematch between
Joe Riggs and
Kendall Grove was announced by the promotion (
and reported by MMAFighting). Another rumored fight is Kala Hose vs.
Drew McFedries.
The goal for ProElite is to become the number two MMA promotion in North America. Will they be able to succeed? We'll see how they do on August 27th.
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