Ur Dirt on the EliteXC Media conference call.

Press conference and interview questions.

Today EliteXC had a conference call with the press, Kimbo, Bas Rutten James Thompson and Gary Shaw were all on hand to answer questions about Saturday night fights. We stood on and listened as ESPN and other publications got to ask questions about EliteXC's up coming event Saturday May 31 on CBS. The card will be the first ever on network television if you don't count the IFL on UPN. It is estimated between 2.5 to 4 Million people may tune in to watch EliteXC's first show on CBS.
I was really nervous about even speaking to Kimbo and James Thompson. After about 20 other publications asking questions I was thrown off guard when I got to ask the final questions of the conference call and I was really nervous. Keep in mind my partners and I only started doing this 2 weeks ago. We do want to be as professional as possible but we are still fans first and foremost and my first question I was so nervous I botched it.

My first question was, if MMA in New York State became legal would they be intrigued about fighting in New York? Keep in mind I was so nervous I didnt even address which fighter I was talking to and no one knew who should answer. I could hear Bas and Shaw laughing.

So kindly James Thompson replied.
"To me it doesn't matter where I fight, I don't take it into consideration".
Keep in mind Thompson is from England. Fighting in Madison Square Garden or Yankee Stadium has about as significance to him as Wembley Stadium or the M.E.N O2 arena does to me.

I also asked him how it felt to be labeled a sacrificial lamb in the media. It was the second time in the interview someone had mentioned the label.
"Well I did not know this became an official label "

Bas Rutten even had something to say about it and stood up for his former Pride FC co-worker.

"Well I don't think its fair that he is being labeled that because this is a guy who fought in Pride against Don Frye and (Hidehiko)Yoshida when he was in Japan. We are not over looking him."

When I asked Kimbo if he felt ready to fight a Fedor, Tim Sylvia or Andrei Arlovski quality caliber fighter.

"I said it before I will fight anybody it doesn't matter"

Kimbo responded. "I am ready to fight anyone out there "

I then asked if Kimbo or James had a prediction to the outcome of the fight.
Kimbo responded.
"I hope this fight goes to the ground"

Responding to James earlier quote where he had all but confirmed a ground game strategy for the fight. There was alot of other interesting questions asked by reporters to them that really showed us how mentally EliteXC and its fighters are for the future.

Gary Shaw when asked, if EliteXC would be bringing in a Heavyweight title to their promotion?

"We will have a Heavyweight title in 08, Antonio Silva is there, Brett Rogers is there and Kimbo is there."

When Gary Shaw was asked about a recent comment made by Dana White where he said BJ Penn would annihilate Kimbo.

"Dana White is a jack-off. Dana White is a f@#ing idiot. And you can quote me on that. If he cared about MMA, he would understand that. Comments like that make you look like a jerk. BJ's brother works for our company. If (Dana) wasn't an idiot, May 31 would be the UFC instead of us on CBS."

Kimbo was asked. If how much of the media attention could or does it possibly hurt him?

"I don't" Kimbo said "This is some thing I take an hour or two out of my day to do so it doesn't bother me".

Gary Shaw was asked. why his fighters were given notice that Affliction was banned? He was also asked. If he would co-promote with Affliction in the future if given the chance?

He responded" Because Affliction is now a rival promoter".

"Yes" About a possible EliteXC Affliction co-promotion was possible in the future.

When Gary Shaw was asked, how he found Kimbo?

"I did not see him as a Street Fighter. I saw him for his a natural Boxer's movement. How he moved side to side and kept his head moving and how he held his hands. I first saw him off of the videos my son was downloading off of youtube. We heard he was training with Bas and we sent down two of my guys to Florida and I told them do not come back until you have a signed contract. Every page with this guy (Kimbo's) name on it".

Bas Rutten had this to say about a comparison of Kimbo to Bob Sapp.

"Well remember people forget that Sapp was killing Nogueira in his first fight"

He went on to say. "His (Bob Sapp's) training came second to his fame and he let it get in the way of his focus. You have to remember how big Sapp was in Japan. We once ate dinner together and there were so many people outside of the resteraunt they had to shut it down to stop people from trying to get autographs".

"My 1 cent" ( I dont deserve 2 today I messed my questions in my 1st press conference)

It seems Bas Rutten was the perfect fit for Kimbo as a trainer because every question that was asked Kimbo did not seem distracted. His answers were short, sweet and to the punch. By the way it sounded as if someone was driving while the interview was going on.