Showtime Presents: Elite XC

Televised Card

Frank Shamrock 21-7-1 vs Renzo Gracie 12-6-1 Renzo is the most active of the Gracie's in modern MMA, and has always taken on the toughest of opponents. That being said, he is 40 years old, and besides Oleg Taktarov, he has lost to upper tier talent. Frank is making his 2nd return, since his 21 second win over Cesar Gracie, who isn't a capable opponent. Frank is always in the best of shape, and Renzo is coming off a controversial win over Carlos Newton, so he is in shape as well. Frank should overwhelm Renzo with his superior conditioning, and brutal striking. Renzo's only chance is on the ground (and ground action in Elite XC is limited to 15 seconds without significant advancement), and Frank can get up easily, by powering his way out.
WINNER-Frank Shamrock by TKO

David "The Crow" Loiseau 14-6 vs Joey Villasenor 22-5 The most interesting fight on the card, features two fighters who are hungry, and desperate for a win. Joey is more well rounded, while The Crow loves to strike with his viciously fast elbows, on the feet. Probably the fight of the night, should feature a lot of action, and the last one standing wins. I like Loiseau, who has fought better opponents, and has learned after his inactive fight with Swick, to push the pace, and no longer be gun shy.
WINNER-Loiseau by decision

Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva 7-1 vs "Cabbage" Correira 18-11 Let the big guys go to battle. Cabbage is a concrete headed hawaiian striker, who is coming off a bad streak, winning 1 of his last 4 fights. Cabbage has absolute thunder in his hands, and is very hard to KO. Bigfoot (change his nickname back to Junior) has a huge reach advantage, standing 6'4, 300lbs., over the stumpy Cabbage. Silva did show a chin issue, being dropped in his only loss to Pele, so this could easily be a puncher's fight. I look for Silva, who has much more ground game than Cabbage, to take the fight to the ground, for a G&P, or submission, win.
WINNER-Bigfoot (stupid name) by submission

Gina "Conviction" Carano 3-1 vs Julie Kedzie 6-4 Ladies, can't we put the fighting aside, and just have you two make out? Sorry, I am trying to take women's MMA seriously, and both these ladies are talented. Carano has a lot of reach on Kedzie, and seemingly, more skill standing and on the ground. I going to continue to contemplate this fight scientifically, and pick the hotter woman.
WINNER-Carano by decision

"Krazy Horse" Charles Bennett 15-13-2 vs K.J. Noons 4-1 Noons is returning to MMA after focusing on boxing for a while. Krazy Horse is just out of prison, crazy as always, and completely unpredictable. A careful KJ, should out strike, and out smart Bennett, but those winging hooks from Charles have KO'd many a fighter. But I think you go with the guy who trains, and not the one who is coming off drugs.
WINNER-Noons by TKO

Prelims (streamed live, For Free, on Showtime's website)

Javier "Showtime" Vazquez 10-2 vs Adriano "Nasal" Pereira 4-1 Javier is the flashy Cesar Gracie trained fighter, who loves pink, and loves action. Adriano is an inexperienced submission fighter, who wants the fight to go to the ground. The winner is the one who establishes their will.
WINNER-Showtime

Mike "Quicksand" Pyle 12-4-1 vs Ross "The Boss" Ebanez 14-4 Pyle is the highly touted ju jitsu fighter, while Ross is a stand up fighter who trains with BJ Penn. I go ground.
WINNER-Pyle

John Shackleford 1-2 vs James Edson Berto 9-3-1 John has little experience, and few wins. James likes to stand and has more experience. Not a compelling fight.
WINNER-Berto by decision

Bo "Redrum" Cantrell 10-6 vs Tim Persey 5-1 Cantrell, bomb thrower with some submissions, Persey is fat, but throws KO's, and has some submissions. Yawn, let the fat guys punch, for at least 30 seconds.
WINNER-The least fat heavyweight

Riki Fukuda 6-2 vs Seth "Doctor" Kleinbeck 6-3 I'll take the guy who trains with Yamamoto.
WINNER-Fukuda