Elite XC Uprising

Elite XC returns with yet another MMA event on Showtime from beautiful Hawaii. First things first, Pro Elite (Elite XC's company) has purchased the King Of The Cage MMA organization in a move to bolster their roster and fill the upcoming weekly fights on Showtime. Pro Elite already made waves when they purchased the England promotion Cage Rage, and currently in talks with Korea's Spirit MC and Icon Sport of Hawaii. This consolidation will allow the "brands" to continue with their names and cards, but allow Elite XC to cull fighters for their shows as well as battle with the UFC (who has purchased WEC and Pride FC). Now to the card.

Murilo "Ninja" Rua Elite XC Middleweight Champion 14-7-1 vs "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler 14-4 Well they'll be no shortage of striking here. Both men love to stand and bang on the feet. Robbie has the power advantage but Rua has a more well rounded game. I really don't know who to pick in this even matchup. New member of Team Hughes, Lawler can KO anyone, at any time, but my heart roots for the Chute Boxe star.

WINNER-Ninja Rua?

Nick "Diablo" Diaz 14-6 vs "Iron" Mike Aina 8-5-1 Diaz returns from his stunning submission victory over Pride FC Lightweight Champion Takanori Gomi and a bogus suspension for smoking marijuana. Seriously, you suspended him for pot? As if Nick didn't have enough of a bad attitude before, sitting on the shelf for 6 months surely didn't help. We all know Nick's style though he has earned his Ju Jitsu blackbelt since we last saw him, but Aina is somewhat of a mystery. Mike trains with BJ Penn and enjoys the striking though he isn't amazing. I would believe Diaz could dominate on the feet and if not, he'll go to the ground for a win. Mike better have improved greatly or he'll have a short night.

WINNER-Nick Diaz via submission

Joey Villasenor 23-6 vs Riki Fukuda 8-2 Joe didn't have the greatest 2006, but was said to be back in the mix until he fell badly at the hands of Ninja Rua in their last fight. Fukuda is a highly touted Japanese prospect who has an amazing amateur wrestling background, has trained with Kid Yamamoto, and is now working his striking game with American Top Team. Riki has a lot of tools though he is young to the game, but I think he'll overpower and out maneuver Joey to a get a victory and possibly a title shot against the winner of Rua/Lawler.

WINNER-Riki Fukuda by decision

Jake Shields 18-4-1 vs Renato Verissimo 7-4 Yet another BJ Penn student steps in to throw his hands with the highly underrated Shields who trains with the brothers Diaz. Jake can do it all and holds impressive wins over Mach Sakurai, Yushin Okami, and Carlos Condit. Renato has KO power but just isn't at the level of Shields.

WINNER-Jake Shields by submission

Gina Carano 4-0 vs Tonya Evinger 4-2 Everyone's favorite and beautiful as she is deadly fighter, Ms. Carano returns to face a good striker in Evinger. Gina has been training at Randy Couture's gym and was really impressive in her last outing showing more tools than her striking. Both will probably want to stand but I think Gina will have a better shot on the ground. Either way expect fireworks because both of these ladies love to bring it.

WINNER-Gina Carano by decision

There are 7 more bouts on the card that I'm not going to cover because I either don't know the fighters or don't care. Still its the best card to date for Elite XC and here's hoping we can rebound on the picks a little bit.