Jared Shaw, the former vice president of EliteXC, has given his first interview since the organization folded in October, and he says he believes that the MMA promotion's failures have been unfairly pinned on him.
Shaw tells Ariel Helwani of Versus.com:
I believe in some way I have been singled out as the bad guy. Some people want to blame me for the demise of the company, but those that were close know the truth. I haven't gone on the record with anybody because I don't really have anything to say. I know what I brought to the table, and I believe in karma. I believe in what goes around comes around, and those that were responsible for the demise – and it's not one person in general – they all know it and they've all felt it. I don't need to point my finger at anyone.Despite saying he doesn't want to point fingers, Shaw does have some negative opinions to share, including saying of Ken Shamrock, "I got no respect for that guy." Shaw also talks about Kimbo Slice, Seth Petruzelli, and Strikeforce's acquisition of many EliteXC fighters. The whole interview is worth a read.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-05-2009 @ 2:50PM
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) said...
The problem with Elite XC in general was they tried to become to big to fast. They built their entire show around one fighter (Kimbo) and when he got caught (everyone does) the entire thing crumbled beneath their feet. I still remember a blogger from one site (can't remember the one) saying that Kimbo was a fraud and he was glad he lost and that he wasn't an athlete and should quit MMA altogether. It was a pretty toxic comment and just showed that Kimbo and EXC were fighting an uphill battle for legitimacy.
I respect every fighter who is tough enough to get into the ring. I know blogging is punditry but I didn't see the same guy (can't remember who it was or what site) saying Lesnar was a fraud after he lost by an amateur foot lock.
Every organization not named the UFC has to deal with an inherent fan and media bias. The hardcore fans (like myself) just want to watch fights regardless of organization affiliation and don't wish bad upon any fighter. Others out there have some sort of an agenda and only want their "buddy" and his cronies to keep things on lockdown.
I root for Kimbo like I do BJ Penn and GSP. I have my favorites but I respect the sport and the fighters but not the organizations above the fighters. I love hearing Fedor Haters saying that all he beats is tomato cans and UFC drop outs but I bet if Fedor fought in the UFC it would be different.
EXC was fighting an uphill battle from the beginning against all the UFC fans and it's cronies. They had a good product with good presentation but ran themselves into the ground trying to be bigger than the UFC.
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3-05-2009 @ 3:48PM
Eric said...
Truth be told, Kimbo was always very respectful and well spoken in the interviews (pre & post fight) that I have seen. Is he a true mixed-martial artist? No, but he isn't responsible for EliteXC doing a terrible promotion job.
Imagine how many people would tune in to a heavyweight season of TUF w/ Kimbo Slice! If there weren't any great Jui-Jitsu fighters, he could possibly win ... ohh, and there couldn't be an good strikers either ... or wrestlers ... or guys with good cardio ...
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