KJ, Kimbo, & Jake Highlight Elite XC

Well, in the main event at Elite XC Renegade, KJ Noons became the Lightweight Champion defeating Nick Diaz after the ref stopped the fight after 1 round due to cuts. An obviously upset Diablo left the cage with arms in the air flipping that oh so sacred bird to the ref and whomever else he was mad at. He came out sloppy just like his last fight, and went for telegraphed takedowns which KJ had prepared for and stopped well. KJ used his boxing experience to tag Diaz and land a big knee that cut Nick's right eye prompting a doctor's check. The fight continued and it was just more of the same as Diaz shot in eating punches and got his other eye opened up as well as a cut over the nose. The round ended and as little brother Nate was imploring Nick to clinch up before attempting the takedown, the ref called an end to the fight without even consulting Diaz. The cut men did their job and Nick seemed ok, but it was not his choice. One eye was almost completely closed and that may have led to the stoppage. Upsetting as it is to see a title fight end on a cut, KJ did his job and becomes the Champion. I can only assume we will be hearing a barrage of anger from Diaz soon, and hopefully a rematch as well.

Kimbo Slice had Bo Cantrell obviously terrified before the bell even rang. Bo went for a nice spinning back fist and then Kimbo stalked his prey into the fence. There he landed a brutal shot followed by an elbow that sent Bo to the canvas and immediately tapping as Kimbo dropped down with a punch just to make certain the fight was over. Kimbo is a scary motherfucker but Bo wanted out as well so we can't tell much yet about Kimbo's potential. Still, it was impressive and his star power/stock can only rise from this swift win.

Jake Shields came out and rolled with Mike Pyle as both men showed great skill scrambling on the floor. The problem is that Jake will eventually catch you and that is exactly what he did with a rear naked choke deep in Pyle's neck forcing the tap. Jake called himself the uncrowned Welterweight Champ and who can argue with him? Elite XC gave him a great opponent tonight and he ended it easily in 1 round! Someone has to come in just to justify making a Welterweight Title for Shields to win.

Kyle Noke proved my upset pick correct by defeating Dr. Seth Kleinbeck via cut in the 2nd round. It was a nasty just deep and horrible cut. Shades of Eastman/Belfort and this fight is ova. The former Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin's bodyguard became successful in his American debut.

Bigfoot looked very impressive as Antonio Silva got his 1st submission win over Jon Wiezorek in the 1st. I thought Jon might prove a little tougher than that but what is most important here, is that technically Silva made weight for the Heavyweight division (normally he is a Super-Heavyweight). This could really open up some nice opponents for Bigfoot and the talent he possesses could really take him far into the Top 10. The potential for the Brazilian by way of American Top Team is limitless.

Off the snide comes Yves Edwards as "Thugjitsu" himself got a submission win in the 1st round. Perhaps the transition to American Top Team is just what he needed. Here's to Yves getting his groove back in 2008.

5 of 6 correct with are picks this is a nice precursor of things to come with Elite XC as they continue to bring their product up and make more and more interesting matches. By the by, Nick looked much worse in his fight with Takanori Gomi in which he came back to win. Hey, maybe the doctor never saw that fight.