Promising, unbeaten heavyweight Dave “Pee Wee’’ Herman of Bloomington, Ind., improved to 12-0 with a 1:06, first-round TKO over Kerry “Meat Truck’’ Schall (21-11) of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the main event Friday on ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series.

Schall got Herman’s attention with a huge overhand right hand approximately a half-minute in. But the shot only seemed to invigorate and anger Herman, who retaliated with a vengeance. He connected with a series of knees that dropped Schall and then finished off the veteran, who complained afterward about a low blow, with three punches while he was down and defenseless.

“I may have got hit, but I didn’t feel it,’’ said Herman, who improved to 3-0 for EliteXC and 2-0 on SHOWTIME. “I don’t care who I fight next but I hope it is as soon as possible. Actually, I would like to fight on the EliteXC Nov. 8 card on SHOWTIME.’’

OTHER SHOWTIME TELEVISED FIGHTS

Mamed Khalidov (18-3-1) KO 2 (strikes, 4:53) over Jason Guida (17-18)

Noteworthy: Khalidov, making his United States, EliteXC and SHOWTIME debut, upped his unbeaten streak to 13 (12-0-1) … The Case of the Missing Mouthpiece: The fight was stopped at about the one-minute mark of the second round for approximately 90 seconds while not one – but two – referees circled the cage searching for Guida’s mouthpiece.

Anthony “The Recipe’’ Lapsley (14-3) majority decision (30-27 twice and 29-29) over game, tough Mike Stumpf (10-2)

Noteworthy: The fight was Lapsley’s 17th in his 28-month pro career … Stumpf, making his EliteXC and SHOWTIME debut, had a four-fight winning streak end. Quote-worthy: “Mike was definitely one of the toughest guys I’ve fought, but I was never hurt and if I lost a round, I couldn’t tell you which one,’’ Lapsley said. “I add an ingredient each time I fight. Tonight, it was heart. I got tired but there was no quit in me.’’

Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko (30-5) TKO 2, over Robert “Bubba” McDaniel (12-5)

McDaniel seemed to control a hard-fought, close first round, but was nailed with a flying knee to the chest in the closing second. He collapsed to the canvas, but could not make it to his feet during the break. The bell sounded for the second round, but McDaniel was still down and the fight was stopped. Noteworthy: The victory was Shlemenko’s seventh straight, all inside the distance and all in the first or second round. Quote-worthy: “The fight didn’t go exactly like I planned,’’ the winner said. “It was my first fight after a layoff and I was nervous. He was a good opponent.’’

Lyle “Fancy Pants’’ Beerbohm (8-0) TKO 1 (cuts), over Brazilian Rafaello “Tractor” Oliveira (5-1)

After an exciting five minutes of non-stop action, the fight was stopped due to a severe cut over Oliveira’s left eye. Quote-worthy: “I don’t care who wins the fight between Nick Diaz and Eddie Alvarez. I will beat up either of them,’’ said Beerbohm, who was making his sixth start in 2008 and ninth since his pro debut in August 2007. … Said Oliveira: “I got caught, it happens to the best. This is very disappointing. It was the opportunity of my lifetime.’’

NON-TELEVISED FIGHTS

- Matt Jaggers (8-4) won a unanimous decision (30-27 and 30-26) over Orville Smith (8-1)

- Jared “The Spider’’ McMahon (8-0-1) submitted (rear naked choke) Jacob Hey (4-10)

- Jeff Cox (11-6) submitted (guillotine choke) Jay Ellis (9-25) at 0:22 of the first round;

- Tiawon Howard (6-1) submitted (rear naked choke) Johnny Hughes (14-7)

- Josh Barnes (1-0) TKO 1 (strikes, 2:22) Jeremy “Tiny’’ Norton (9-4)

- Deray Davis (3-0) submitted (armbar) John Kuhner (1-1) at 3:53 of second round.

Friday’s televised fight card will be replayed next Thursday, Oct. 16, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME TOO. It will be available ON DEMAND beginning Monday, Oct. 13.

A world championship doubleheader will highlight the EliteXC telecast Saturday, Nov. 8, live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) from the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nev.

Two talented, crowd-pleasing fighters at the tops of their game will be featured in one of the world title fights when “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (16-4-1, 1 NC) of Granite City, Ill., defends his EliteXC middleweight belt in a rematch against Joey “Smokin' Joe’’' Villasenor (26-6) of Albuquerque, N.M.

In a sensational matchup in a second world title fight, Nick Diaz (18-7) will throw down with Eddie Alvarez (15-1) for the vacant EliteXC lightweight crown.

Nicknames such as “Pee Wee” and “Meat Truck” may not exactly strike fear into an opponent, but, make no mistake, undefeated Dave “Pee Wee” Herman, of Bloomington, Ind., and Kerry “Meat Truck” Schall, of Cincinnati, Ohio, can fight.

The heavyweights -- Herman, a talented, up-and-comer and hometown favorite, and the more-experienced Schall -- will collide in the main event on ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series this Friday, Oct. 10, live on SHOWTIME 11 p.m. ET/PT at Horseshoe Casino outside Chicago.

ShoXC, showcases young, talented fighters in tough matchups. A springboard for the future stars and champions of EliteXC, ShoXC is patterned after the SHOWTIME boxing series ShoBox: The New Generation.

Dave “Pee Wee” Herman (11-0) vs. Kerry “Meat Truck” Schall (21-10)

Outside the cage, Herman is perhaps the most colorful, comical, laid-back, unconventional fighter in mixed martial arts history. He trains out of his house, doesn’t belong to a team and pays hardly any attention to MMA fights he’s not a participant in. But you can’t argue with the results. He’s perfect so far.

Herman doesn’t appear to take anything seriously, least of all himself. Hence, the six-foot-five, 24-year-old’s nickname: “Pee Wee.” Actually, he’s contemplated changing his nickname to “BlueBerry Muffin.” See, he loves his mother’s homemade pastries. But he’s no cupcake, at least in the cage.

Since turning pro in December 2006, the athletic, former Indiana-Bloomington standout wrestler with impressive striking skills and amazing knees has won eight fights via knockout and three by submission. He has never fought to a decision and only one fight has gone past the first round.

Herman is making his third start for EliteXC and second on SHOWTIME. He scored a third-round TKO (knees and punches) over Mario Rinaldi on Feb. 16, 2008, and a crowd-pleasing 2:19, opening-round TKO (strikes) over veteran Ron “H20” Waterman on June 14, 2008, on SHOWTIME.

Schall, an experienced fighter who was part of the original cast on the second season of “The Ultimate Fighter,’’ has faced some impressive competition in a 10-year career, including a fight with Fedor Emelianenko. Schall owns notable victories over Wade Hamilton and Brian Ebersole.

Not known as a heavy striker, Schall, 2-2 in his last four fights, can be expected to try and take this to the ground.

Mamed “Cannibal” Khalidov (17-3-1) vs. Jason Guida (17-17)

Khalidov, who is making his United States, EliteXC and SHOWTIME debut, will enter the cage with a 12-fight unbeaten streak (11-0-1). A small light heavyweight at only 195 pounds, the Chechen Top Team member Khalidov has competed exclusively in Poland and Lithuania.

A draw against Daniel Tabera in his last start on Sept. 13, 2008, ended a run of 11 consecutive victories for Khalidov, whose style reminds some of a young Mauricio “Shogun’’ Rua.

The younger brother of top lightweight Clay Guida, Jason Guida has fought some good ones since going pro in July 2003. A winner of two of his last three, Jason also will be making his EliteXC debut.

Anthony “The Recipe’’ Lapsley (13-3) vs. Mike Stumpf (10-1)

Lapsley has registered submissions in nine of his 12 victories, including a 1:34, first-round submission over Aaron Wetherspoon in his last start on Aug. 14, 2008.

An exceptional athlete, Lapsley has kept busy since turning pro. His first appearance for EliteXC will mark the 17th time he has gone to the post since June 2006.

Stumpf, who has triumphed inside the distance in six of his 10 victories, will bring a four-fight winning streak into his EliteXC and SHOWTIME debut. Perhaps his most noteworthy victory came when he scored a second-round TKO (strikes) over Dom O’Grady on June 14, 2008.

The 21-year-old Stumpf has a strong wrestling base thanks in large part to his father, who was a Division I standout in folk-style and Greco-Roman wrestling and was considered to be Olympic-caliber.

Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko (29-5) vs. Robert “Bubba” McDaniel (12-4)

Shlemenko possesses good Muay Thai and is a tough striker with knockout capability. No stranger to winning streaks, he began his career 15-0 and enters this one having won six in a row, all inside the distance. Five of the six ended in the first round and the other was over in the second.

A well-conditioned, 24-year-old knockout artist, Shiemenko has been fighting his entire life. His biggest victory, though, came when he decided at an early age to focus on athletics and managed to stick with it.

In the Siberian city of Omsk where Shiemenko grew up, statistics indicate that 50 percent of the city's youth are either in prison, addicted to drugs, or dead by the age of 21.

McDaniel is a serious-minded, tough Texan who has won his last two starts, including a startling 0:41, first-round submission (rear naked choke) over Icon Sport middleweight champion Kala “Kolohe” Hose in a non-title fight on June 14, 2008, in Hawaii.

A submission whiz, nine of McDaniel’s 11 victories have come inside the distance. None of his fights have lasted more than two rounds.

Lyle “Fancy Pants’’ Beerbohm (7-0) vs. Rafaello “Trator” Olivera (2-0)

Beerbohm is making his sixth start in 2008 and ninth since his pro debut on Aug. 30, 2007. In his last outing, he went the distance for the first time, scoring a unanimous decision over Ed Nuno on April 18, 2008.

Olivera is a Brazilian making his debut on EliteXC and SHOWTIME.

Watch ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series this Friday at 11pm ET/PT on SHOWTIME!

Tickets Start at $38! Click Here for Tickets

Story by Todd Hester

A terror in the cage who has dominated opponents in EC, IFC, UFC, Superbrawl, Icon, and now EliteXC, the 16-4 Robbie Lawler is the true king of MMA primetime TV!

In just two fights, both against Scott Smith, more people have seen Robbie Lawler fight than nearly any other fighter on the planet. If you take the 7 million viewers from their first fight on CBS and combine it with the 2 million from their second, over 9 million people now know the man simply called “Ruthless.”

But Lawler has not run up his record against “tomato cans” or handpicked opponents, he has taken on the toughest fighters in the sport, not ducking anyone but seeking out the best to prove he is the best. In an MMA world increasingly given to flash instead of form, Lawler is a throwback to the early days of the sport where you fought whoever, whenever, wherever.

Q: What is your family background?

Read more...

Seth Petruzelli discusses EliteXC bonus money; Kimbo’s posse threatening his wife; what it was like fighting Bob Sapp; and more in new exclusive interview

October 7, 2008 by Sam Caplan

Seth Petruzelli’s last-minute promotion to the main event of EliteXC and CBS’ Saturday Night Fights this past weekend was not his opportunity at major exposure. In addition to fighting twice for the UFC, Petruzelli is also a veteran of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show on Spike TV. He also fought in a well-publicized fight in Japing in 2004 for K-1 against former Chicago Bears offensive lineman Bob “The Beast” Sapp.

I initially felt that Petruzelli’s huge opportunities might be nothing more than a case of good timing. However, after conducting a full legth interview with him, it was easy to see that the guy is definitely not short on personality and that there’s probably a reason why he’s been put in front of lots of people on CBS, Spike TV, and the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

Below is a full transcript of the interview Petruzelli conducted with FiveOuncesOfPain.com.

READ MORE

EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw comments on reaction towards referee after Slice vs. Petruzelli fight; his feelings about Shamrock’s cut; and more in new interview

Petruzelli’s improbable victory raises many unanswered questions

Nick Diaz vs. Eddie Alvarez for vacant EliteXC lightweight title to be announced tonight

Belt Taken Away For Refusing To Fight Nick Diaz

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 19, 2008) – KJ Noons of San Diego has been stripped of his EliteXC lightweight title. The announcement was made Friday by EliteXC Head of Fight Operations, Jeremy Lappen.

The foremost reason EliteXC is taking this action, Lappen said, was due to Noons’ reluctance to defend against leading 160-pound contender Nick Diaz of Stockton, Calif.

“We are stripping KJ of his championship belt for refusing to defend against Diaz,’’ Lappen said. “It’s a very unfortunate situation but we cannot have belt-holders who refuse to fight the top contenders.We want champions who will fight anyone, anytime, anyplace.That’s the mentality all champions should have.

“I feel very bad for KJ because I like him a lot on a personal level and have always thought he could be a big star.He’s charismatic, has a very exciting fighting style and is a top level fighter. So I’m obviously disappointed that he has chosen to take this stance.

“I don’t understand why he would turn down a chance to be a headliner on CBS on Oct. 4. KJ then turned down the fight again when we offered him a headlining spot on our next SHOWTIME date against Nick. From my view, it is a fight against a top-named opponent in Diaz (someone who beat the No. 1 fighter in the world in his weight class), a fighter KJ has bad blood with and a fight the fans really wanted to see. It seemed like a great opportunity for KJ to me.

“Personally, I do not think it was a smart career move, but I’m sure he sees it differently. KJ has two more fights remaining on his contract, so we are still looking forward to having him fight for us again soon, but not as our world champion.’’

EliteXC will announce a fight for the vacant lightweight title in the near future, Lappen said.

About ProElite, Inc.

ProElite Inc. [PELE.PK] delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, broadcast and cable television programming on CBS and Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet.ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools. ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters [elitexc.com]. ProElite’s interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of MMA enthusiasts. In addition to offering the most exciting live fights to the web via VOD, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations. ProElite.com – Empowering the Fight Community TM

Contacts:

EliteXC (Brener Zwikel & Associates, Inc.)
John Beyrooty
(562) 233-7477
Johnnybey@aol.com