MMA Weekly News: Heath Herring going Hollywood while Kimbo Slice must save EliteXC

Didn’t we just say Heath Herring’s loss to a rookie could spell disaster to his career?

When asked what happened during that disastrous match with pro-wrestler Brock Lesnar, he pointed out the overhand right punch that caught him right in the eye. “I didn’t see it coming and I got caught with it. That definitely had an effect on the outcome of the fight…. I wasn’t able to see. Right at the beginning of the fight you’re blind. How much does that affect you? I don’t know. It’s not good.”

That heavy Brock Lesnar right hand did drop him at the beginning of the fight, and the rest was nothing short of brutal pounding that ended with Herring's loss in a unanimous-decision on that other weekend’s bout.

Last time we heard, Heath is considering some acting parts in movies. But moving to Hollywood may still seem to be a remote possibility as he is more bent on training harder for that elusive shot at the championship slot. And he’s got Lesnar in the crosshairs for his choice of opponent once he gets back on harness–if it can be helped.

Heath points out that Lesnar couldn’t finish him throughout the entire fight, he has to win via unanimous decision. “We took his best shot and went on from there. I’d love for him to take one of mine, and we’ll see how it goes.”

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Elite XC continues to bleed.

Not even a contract with CBS could help this MMA organization that, a check with the Securities and Exchange Commission reveals, they are scampering for more funds from wherever they can find them. Reports say that the best they could expect to have would just be enough to last them till the end of the year.

It appears that the successful May 31 premier telecast (the first official telecast of an MMA on network TV) was just a flash in the pan, and Elite XC could hardly keep up the fire. The second telecast only blipped a mere 1.7 rating—a rating score that is even considered unacceptable for a Saturday night lull.

No amount of an exciting prospect, even of having spectacular matches among “real” MMA superstars like Robbie Lawler and Antonio Silva, could seem to drag people in front of the boob tube for an Elite XC and CBS telecast. We commented on our earlier posts that CBS have favoured “real fighters” on that July 26 card—without Kimbo Slice and Gina Carano.

Wrong move. It appears.

kimbo slice copy.jpg Now, they are fielding Kimbo Slice and Gina Carano again for salvation. Gina Carano is expected to face Kelly Kobold-Gavin, while Kimbo’s opponent remains unknown—this is another source of difficulty. Outside of his being a crowd-drawer, Kimbo Slice is old and inexperienced. The safest route to keeping him a star is to ensure he doesn’t lose by pitting him against beyond-their-prime fighters. However, until when would the fans not see the one-sidedness of this?

Elite XC shakes and rattles

Elite XC is in a bit of a shaky ground nowadays. Internal layoffs are rife, key officers are resigning, and several shows have been cancelled. It seems that another Kimbo Slice and Gina Carano headliner is in order. Perhaps this could pour in a little more money—and confidence to Elite XC.

Elite XC insiders also said CBS is not paying them enough. UFC owners, who have earlier talked with CBS, must be saying, “Told ya!”

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Watch out for the third instalment of the Strikeforce “Young Guns” series on Sept. 18 at the Civic Auditorium in San Jose, Calif.