ProElite
Encyclopedia
ProElite, Inc. is an American entertainment and media company involved in the promotion of mixed martial arts
(MMA).
(a CBS Corporation
subsidiary), the firm initially promoted live MMA events broadcast on Showtime and Showtime PPV under the EliteXC promotional banner.
CBS
contracted with ProElite to show live events on prime time
network television with the first airing scheduled for May 31, 2008.
A focal point of ProElite's live event promotions was Elite XC. Running its first show in 2007, it quickly became one of the most visible brands in mixed martial arts in the United States. ProElite also acquired several long-standing mixed martial arts promotions since its founding, including King of the Cage
, Hawaii-based Icon Sport
, and British promotion Cage Rage
. The company also had working relationships with Rumble on the Rock, Japanese-based DREAM
, South Korean-based Spirit MC
, and Northern California-based Strikeforce
.
ProElite also operated ProElite.com, a web portal with social networking for MMA fighters and fans and live streams of MMA bouts not broadcast on Showtime.
events on CBS.
Rumors immediately began circulating that ProElite was targeted as a strategic acquisition by either the UFC or an unidentified third party investor wishing to enter the MMA promotional space. PELE.PK stock jumped from .01 per share to more than .20 per share in two days as investors realized the stock routinely traded at $15 per share while ProElite was promoting live events.
In June 2011, Stratus Media Group secured a 95% ownership of ProElite. The group confirmed their intention to return to promoting mixed martial arts with former ICON owner T. Jay Thompson and former Strikeforce matchmaker Rich Chou brought on board to run the show. The company's return show took place on August 27, 2011 in Hawaii and streamed live on Sherdog.com.
MAIN CARD
*Heavyweight bout: Tim Sylvia
def. Andreas Kraniotakes
via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
*Heavyweight bout: Andrei Arlovski
def. Travis Fulton
via KO (head kick) - Round 3, 4:59
*Welterweight bout: Evan Cutts def. Reagan Penn via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
*Heavyweight Tournament Opening Round: Ryan Martinez def. Mark Ellis
via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
*Heavyweight Tournament Opening Round: Jake Heun def. Ed Carpenter
via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 3:17
*Heavyweight Tournament Opening Round: Cody Griffin def. Justyn Riley via TKO (punches) - Round 3, 0:32
*Heavyweight Tournament Opening Round: Richard Odoms def. Rodney Housley via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
PRELIMINARY CARD
*Lightweight bout: Waylon Lowe
def. Floyd Hodge via TKO (doctor's stoppage) - Round 2, 5:00
*Heavyweight Tournament Reserve bout: Todd Monaghan def. Richard McCraw via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 0:29
Pro Elite 1
MAIN CARD
*Middleweight bout: Kendall Grove
def. Joe Riggs
via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 1, 0:59
*Heavyweight bout: Andrei Arlovski
def. Ray Lopez via TKO (punches) - Round 3, 2:43
*Welterweight bout: Reagan Penn def. Paul Gardiner
via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 1:10
*Heavyweight bout: Mark Ellis
def. Jake Heun via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 2, 2:29
*Women's (135lbs.) bout: Sara McMann
def. Raquel Pa'aluhi via submission (armlock) - Round 3, 2:53
*Catchweight (196lbs.) bout: Drew McFedries def. Garrett Olson
via TKO (punches) - Round 2, 4:04
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
(MMA).
First incarnation
Founded in 2006 in partnership with Showtime Networks Inc.Showtime Networks
Showtime Networks, Inc. is the corporate division of media conglomerate CBS Corporation.The company was established in 1983 as Showtime/The Movie Channel, Inc. after Viacom and Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment merged their premium channels, Showtime and The Movie Channel respectively, into one...
(a CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation is an American media conglomerate focused on commercial broadcasting, publishing, billboards and television production, with most of its operations in the United States. The President and CEO of the company is Leslie Moonves. Sumner Redstone, owner of National Amusements, is CBS's...
subsidiary), the firm initially promoted live MMA events broadcast on Showtime and Showtime PPV under the EliteXC promotional banner.
CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
contracted with ProElite to show live events on prime time
Prime time
Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast programming during the middle of the evening for television programing.The term prime time is often defined in terms of a fixed time period—for example, from 19:00 to 22:00 or 20:00 to 23:00 Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast...
network television with the first airing scheduled for May 31, 2008.
A focal point of ProElite's live event promotions was Elite XC. Running its first show in 2007, it quickly became one of the most visible brands in mixed martial arts in the United States. ProElite also acquired several long-standing mixed martial arts promotions since its founding, including King of the Cage
King of the Cage
King of the Cage, also known as KOTC, is a mixed martial arts promotion based in Southern California, USA.-History:KOTC was founded in 1998 by Terry Trebilcock. KOTC features up and coming MMA stars as well as experienced combat fighters....
, Hawaii-based Icon Sport
Icon Sport
Icon Sport is a defunct Hawaiian-based mixed martial arts organization. It was one of the earliest competitors to the Ultimate Fighting Championship though the organization did not achieve the same level of success the promotion did hold a number of note worthy cards.-Notable fighters:Icon Sport...
, and British promotion Cage Rage
Cage Rage
Cage Rage Championships, also known as Cage Rage, was a United Kingdom-based, mixed martial arts promotion that premiered on 7 September 2002 in London. Cage Rage went bankrupt and is now no longer trading...
. The company also had working relationships with Rumble on the Rock, Japanese-based DREAM
DREAM (mixed martial arts)
Dream is a mixed martial arts organization promoted by former PRIDE FC executives and K-1 promoter Fighting and Entertainment Group. DREAM replaced FEG's previous-run mixed martial arts fight series, Hero's. The series retains many of the stylistic flourishes and personnel from Pride FC...
, South Korean-based Spirit MC
Spirit MC
Spirit Martial Challenge is a defunct South Korean mixed martial arts promotion formerly operated by Entlian Corporation.The promotion was separated into Spirit MC , Spirit MC Inter League, Spirit MC Amateur League. Amateur League was a minor league, which was a stepping stone to the Professional...
, and Northern California-based Strikeforce
Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
.
ProElite also operated ProElite.com, a web portal with social networking for MMA fighters and fans and live streams of MMA bouts not broadcast on Showtime.
Second incarnation
In March 2011 ProElite was rumored to be the unsuccessful second bidder against the UFC in an attempt to acquire rival MMA promotion Strikeforce. The offer was said to exceed 40 million dollars. Principals at ProElite immediately confirmed the companies intention to re enter the MMA live event promotional business as they had with the record breaking Kimbo SliceKimbo Slice
Kevin Ferguson , better known as Kimbo Slice, is a Bahamian-American boxer, mixed martial artist and occasional actor...
events on CBS.
Rumors immediately began circulating that ProElite was targeted as a strategic acquisition by either the UFC or an unidentified third party investor wishing to enter the MMA promotional space. PELE.PK stock jumped from .01 per share to more than .20 per share in two days as investors realized the stock routinely traded at $15 per share while ProElite was promoting live events.
In June 2011, Stratus Media Group secured a 95% ownership of ProElite. The group confirmed their intention to return to promoting mixed martial arts with former ICON owner T. Jay Thompson and former Strikeforce matchmaker Rich Chou brought on board to run the show. The company's return show took place on August 27, 2011 in Hawaii and streamed live on Sherdog.com.
List of Events
| Event | Date | Location | Venue | Attendance | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProElite 3 |  Honolulu, HawaiiHonolulu, Hawaii Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and... |
Neal S. Blaisdell Center Neal S. Blaisdell Center The Neal S. Blaisdell Center in downtown Honolulu, Honolulu CDP is a community center for the City & County of Honolulu. Constructed in 1964 on the historic Ward Estate and originally called the Hawaii International Center, the center was renamed after Mayor of Honolulu Neal S. Blaisdell... |
|||
| ProElite: Big Guns | Moline, Illinois Moline, Illinois Moline is a city located in Rock Island County, Illinois, United States, with a population of 45,792 in 2010. Moline is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois and the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa. The Quad Cities has a population of... |
i wireless Center | HDNet | ||
| ProElite: Arlovski vs. Lopez | Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and... |
Neal S. Blaisdell Center Neal S. Blaisdell Center The Neal S. Blaisdell Center in downtown Honolulu, Honolulu CDP is a community center for the City & County of Honolulu. Constructed in 1964 on the historic Ward Estate and originally called the Hawaii International Center, the center was renamed after Mayor of Honolulu Neal S. Blaisdell... |
Sherdog.com |
Results
Pro Elite 2MAIN CARD
*Heavyweight bout: Tim Sylvia
Tim Sylvia
Timothy Deane Sylvia is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter, professional wrestler, and former Ultimate Fighting Championship Heavyweight Champion. He trains as a member of the Miletich Fighting Systems camp and is part of their MFSE group...
def. Andreas Kraniotakes
Andreas Kraniotakes
Andreas Kraniotakes is a German mixed martial artist. He competes in the Heavyweight division in various European Mixed Martial Arts promotions...
via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
*Heavyweight bout: Andrei Arlovski
Andrei Arlovski
Andrei Valeryevich Arlovski is a Belarusian kickboxer, mixed martial artist and a former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion.-Biography:...
def. Travis Fulton
Travis Fulton
Travis Fulton is an American mixed martial artist and a professional boxer in the heavyweight division. He has notched up over 300 vale tudo and mixed martial arts fights since 1996 and over 30 boxing matches since 1999....
via KO (head kick) - Round 3, 4:59
*Welterweight bout: Evan Cutts def. Reagan Penn via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
*Heavyweight Tournament Opening Round: Ryan Martinez def. Mark Ellis
Mark Ellis
Mark Ellis is the name of:* Mark Ellis , Canadian actor* Mark Ellis , Major League Baseball player* Mark Ellis , English footballer who played for Bradford City...
via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
*Heavyweight Tournament Opening Round: Jake Heun def. Ed Carpenter
Ed Carpenter
Ed "Special Ed" Carpenter is an IRL IndyCar Series driver. He is the stepson of Indy Racing League founder Tony George and is currently competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series, driving for Sarah Fisher Racing.-Early career:...
via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 3:17
*Heavyweight Tournament Opening Round: Cody Griffin def. Justyn Riley via TKO (punches) - Round 3, 0:32
*Heavyweight Tournament Opening Round: Richard Odoms def. Rodney Housley via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
PRELIMINARY CARD
*Lightweight bout: Waylon Lowe
Waylon Lowe
Michael Waylon Lowe is an American mixed martial artist.-Amateur wrestling career:Lowe was a two time state champion for Jefferson County High School in Dandridge, Tennessee before wrestling for the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio. Lowe recorded 112 victories during his collegiate career...
def. Floyd Hodge via TKO (doctor's stoppage) - Round 2, 5:00
*Heavyweight Tournament Reserve bout: Todd Monaghan def. Richard McCraw via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 0:29
Pro Elite 1
MAIN CARD
*Middleweight bout: Kendall Grove
Kendall Grove
Kendall Kekoa Grove is an American mixed martial artist. He was the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 3 on Spike TV.- Early life :...
def. Joe Riggs
Joe Riggs
Joseph Jonathan Riggs is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He has competed at weights ranging from Heavyweight down to Welterweight. Currently, Riggs fights as a Middleweight.-Background:...
via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 1, 0:59
*Heavyweight bout: Andrei Arlovski
Andrei Arlovski
Andrei Valeryevich Arlovski is a Belarusian kickboxer, mixed martial artist and a former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion.-Biography:...
def. Ray Lopez via TKO (punches) - Round 3, 2:43
*Welterweight bout: Reagan Penn def. Paul Gardiner
Paul Gardiner
Paul Gardiner was a British musician who played bass guitar with Gary Numan and Tubeway Army as well as material under his own name.-Biography:...
via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 1:10
*Heavyweight bout: Mark Ellis
Mark Ellis
Mark Ellis is the name of:* Mark Ellis , Canadian actor* Mark Ellis , Major League Baseball player* Mark Ellis , English footballer who played for Bradford City...
def. Jake Heun via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 2, 2:29
*Women's (135lbs.) bout: Sara McMann
Sara McMann
Sara McMann is the first American woman in history to receive a silver medal in women's wrestling at the 2004 Summer Olympics games in Athens, Greece. She wrestled in the Women's Freestyle 63 kg or 138.75 lb weight class. Sara was a Silver Medalist in 2003 World Championships and Bronze...
def. Raquel Pa'aluhi via submission (armlock) - Round 3, 2:53
*Catchweight (196lbs.) bout: Drew McFedries def. Garrett Olson
Garrett Olson
Garrett Andrew Olson is a Major League Baseball pitcher currently in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.-High school:Olson attended Buchanan High School in Clovis, California...
via TKO (punches) - Round 2, 4:04
Key people
- William Kelly - President and Chief Operating Officer (Current)
- Chuck Champion - Chief Executive Officer (2009–2010)
- David Marshall - Chairman (2006–2008)
- Douglas DeLuca - Chief Executive Officer (2006–2008)
- Kelly PerdewKelly PerdewKelly Crawford Perdew of Carlsbad, California was the winner of The Apprentice 2.-Before The Apprentice:Perdew was born in Lexington, Kentucky and was raised in Florida and Wyoming...
- President of ProElite.com (2006–2008) and the winner of the second season of The ApprenticeThe Apprentice (U.S. TV series)The Apprentice is an American reality television show hosted by real estate magnate, businessman and television personality Donald Trump, created by Mark Burnett and broadcast on NBC...
. - Gary ShawGary Shaw (boxing promoter)Gary Shaw is an American boxing promoter.Shaw began his professional affiliation with boxing in 1971, when he was appointed inspector to the New Jersey State Athletic Control Commission by Jersey Joe Walcott....
- Director and President of Live Events (2006–2008)