Press Release Summary = On Feb. 10th 2007, Showtime will air its first Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) show. This foray into the world of MMA should lend even more legitimacy to the already growing sport. Showtime\'s new Promotion is called Elite Xtreme Combat or EliteXC. You can obtain more information at elitexc.com:
Press Release Body = Showtime has teamed up with Pro Elite, inc. to form the EliteXC promotion. EliteXC is breaking new ground. Bill Goldberg (NFL, Pro-Wrestling star, and longtime MMA fan) and Mario Lopez will provide color commentary and the fight card includes a main event featuring Brazilian Jiu Jitsu specialist Renzo Gracie (cousin to Legendary champion Royce Gracie). Gracie fights Frank Shamrock (brother of infamous Ken Shamrock who appeared in the first UFC. In that original Shamrock verses Gracie match it was Pancrase against Gracie Jiujitsu. Of course each family fighter has evolved since then and they train in all the aspects of the hybrid MMA sport from stand up boxing, kickboxing, to grappling and Brazilian jiu Jitsu. The upcoming Showtime event will also include a live stream of the un-televised undercard match-ups on EliteXC.com: www.EliteXC.com>> which is a bonus for fans that usually never get to see the whole undercard. EliteXC is scheduled air 7 events and a couple of PPV events through the course of this year. For fans who are new to MMA, the idea of bouts being televised on regular cable or even on SHOWTIME may seem like nothing special. To those of us that have followed the sport for the last 14 years, the idea that this is happening is paramount to a miracle. "I never thought I would see the day, MMA bouts on cable.this is crazy." Explained Royce Gracie jiu jitsu New Haven coach Brad Wolfson. "I\'m glad they are finally starting to give something back to the fans of our sport." Broadcasting the undercard fights on the internet is not only a great marketing strategy, but it brings the growth of the sport full circle. Ten years ago, the sport of MMA was banned nearly everywhere in North America. Pay Per View events were only broadcast on Satellite while the major Cable companies refused to air the PPV events. The original "There are NO Rules" marketing strategy, fueled mainly by the Gracie Family who for years pursued such matches in the development of their Brazilian Jiujitsu family art, would no longer fly in the civilized world. Meanwhile, as the sport exploded throughout Asia with promoters such as Pride and K1, it was the fans on the internet that kept it alive on this continent through a grass roots movement. Jim Hughes of Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (of West Hartford CT, Glastonbury, Southington, Danbury, New Haven, Norwich, Agawam MA, Uconn/Storrs, Boston, and Puerto Rico) was asked for his opinion. He said \"I think this is great for the sport. This should help to introduce the sport to more people. It will also promote competition in the market place with more mainstream organizations getting involved. While we are mainly interested in self defense here, the shows do a nice job of displaying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in action in a sport setting.\" When asked what he thought about Renzo Gracie fighting Shamrock Jim says, \"I\'m exited! Shamrock is a great athlete and it will be interesting to see how he does against a great well rounded Jiu Jitsu fighter like Renzo\". On the outcome, \"My prediction is a win for Renzo, of course! He is a great Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighter, and while others say they won\'t quit, he has proved it with a dislocated elbow in his fight with Sakuraba."
Web Site = http://www.gracie-jiu-jitsu.com
Contact Details = Jim Hughes and Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu New England
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