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A Bad Night for EliteXC and MMA
Nate and Nick Diaz. Photo courtesy of ProElite.com
In terms of the fights that took place last night at EliteXC’s “Return of the King” show in Hawaii, the event was a success. Just about every fight on the card was filled with action from start to finish and each of the televised bouts had explosive and definitive endings, especially the main event, which saw lightweight champion K.J. Noons successfully make his first title defense by quickly stopping former training partner Yves Edwards in the first round.
However morally and ethically, the event was an epic failure.
The biggest reason was what happened after Noons had his EliteXC championship gold wrapped around his waist for a second time. In an attempt to hype a potential rematch between Noons and Nick Diaz, whom Noons defeated last November, EliteXC officials brought Diaz into the cage, his younger brother Nate, a current UFC lightweight, in tow.
Diaz, still suited up in fight gear from his bout against Muhsin Corbbrey earlier in the night, basically told Noons to “man up” after the champion’s hometown crowd disapproved of a second bout between the two when asked by Noons.
“Don’t be scared, homie,” Diaz said. He followed up by flipping Noons the middle finger while the younger Diaz opted to exchange words with Noons’ father, Karl Sr.
The words soon escalated to threats and before long the elder Noons and the Diaz brothers grabbed one another following a water bottle throw, nearly sparking an all-out brawl, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the corners of Tank Abbott and Wesley Correira almost came to blows close to five years ago at the UFC’s 10th anniversary event.
Ringside officials, color commentator Bill Goldberg, and everyone else in the cage jumped in and were able to restore order pretty quickly, despite punches being exchanged between Noons’ father and Nate. Both Diaz brothers quickly jolted from the cage, holding their trademark middle fingers high in the air while walking backstage.
“I’m not sure what happened or who started what, but I feel bad for Yves, a class act who trained really hard for this fight,’’ Noons said when referring to Nick Diaz’s attempt to overshadow EliteXC’s latest feature attraction. “Nick has no class, he’s a bum, a piece of shit, and he and his team disrespected my family and I with their gestures and trash talk and tried to upstage our fight.”
While the episode likely ensures that Noons and Diaz will indeed rematch each other later this year, it almost erased all of the positive momentum EliteXC received from the mainstream media and casual fans around the world after it’s hugely-successful network television debut on CBS two weeks ago. At this stage in the game for MMA, with the sport growing like never before, this is not what we need.
I enjoy watching both Nick and Nate Diaz fight. The majority of their fights are always entertaining, they bring a different kind of attitude to the cage with them, and both possess the skills that likely ensure that one, possibly both will hold some kind of championship in a major promotion one day.
However last night’s stunt was a disgrace and both of them should be ashamed, no matter how “real” both believe they are being with their actions. I’m not sure if Dana White intends on punishing Nate for his ignorance, but I’d at least like to see him think about it, considering he’s now put two of MMA’s biggest shows in a bad light.
Let’s not forget about Karl Noons Sr. either. There’s no reason to be lunging at and throwing punches at someone in the cage after your son scored the biggest win of his career. He’s just as much to blame for acting like a jackass as well.
While Goldberg did a good job of preventing chaos in the cage, his job as the post-fight interviewer last night was one for the ages, and I don’t mean that in a good way.
Like Luke Thomas of Bloody Elbow points out, this isn’t the first time that Goldberg has screwed up in front of a national audience. Goldberg’s handling of Edwards after such a devastating loss makes me wonder if there’s something seriously wrong with him upstairs. Asking Rafael Feijao to stop talking because his English isn’t up to Goldberg’s standards even though the rest of America could understand him just fine is just plain idiotic.
Every time I watch an EliteXC event now that Goldberg is working, I cringe just about every time I hear him talk. He’s obnoxious and despite being a huge supporter of the sport, which I’m sure we all appreciate very much, he’s just not the type of person that should be doing that kind of work on television, plain and simple. I’d much rather have someone that isn’t so concerned with his own appearance as a know-it-all tough guy on TV handling his spot at events.
On top of all of this was Tony Bonello’s pre-fight antics during his staredown with Murilo “Ninja” Rua. In an attempt, I guess, to try and intimidate Rua, Bonello decided it would be convenient to curse out his opponent rather than participate in the usual intense staring contest, all while the microphone is in front of Mario Yamasaki’s face so he can give out instructions. I’m sure it’s not the type of thing CBS wants to worry about when televising an event.
So if I come off as a little too sensitive when it comes to controversial happenings in our sport, so be it. In my honest opinion, these days where MMA is finally making good ground in terms of gaining mainstream acceptance are extremely important for the future. I’d rather have the sport continue to flourish instead of taking a step or two backwards because of the dumb decisions made by certain people.
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from San Antonio,TX
Jun 16, 2008 1:00 AM
It is bad for the sport!! but then again,people might find it interesting and start watching MMA..We will see what happens...sPidA
from sacto, califa
Jun 16, 2008 9:52 AM
Hey hanG loose dude, get a clue!!! First off your an idiot!! 2ND Exlite Xc had them do this, it wasn’t the diaz’s idea, GET A CLUE!! They have more class and respect for the sport then you’ll ever have OR even comprehend.
what’s even worse (then the diaz brothers do what their bosses told them too do) is when an OLD MAN THINKS HE IS TOUGH. OLD PEOPLE are soo LAME!!!
from sacto, califa
Jun 16, 2008 9:56 AM
WHAT REALLY IS FUNNY IS THIS STUPID ARTICLE AND RESPONSES TO A SHOW THAT HAS STRIPPERS, IF YOU REALLY THINK WHAT TOOK PLACE AFTER THE FIGHTS(DIAZ’ BROTHERS) WAS WROSE THEN THE STRIPPERS AND CLUELESS COMMENTARY, THEN YOU ARE A REDNECK!!!
from sacto, califa
Jun 16, 2008 10:06 AM
DUDE YOUR ARTICLE IS HORRIBLE, PERIOD. AND I DON’T EXPECT THAT FROM YOU JOHN.
U SAID “it almost erased all of the positive momentum EliteXC received from the mainstream media and casual fans around the world after it’s hugely-successful network television debut on CBS two weeks ago”
ARE FUCKIGN KIDDING?? POSITIVE MOMENTUM FROM THE CBS EVENT? THE WORSE EVENT EVER!! WOW FUCKING CLUELESS. POSITIVE MOMENTUM, LMAO.
from Philadelphia, PA
Jun 16, 2008 10:17 AM
Finally we clash Craig. I knew that this day would come....
First off, is there any true way we can know that Gary Shaw was behind the whole fiasco? No, there’s not. If he was, shame on him and he shouldn’t be involved in the sport if he’s going to do crap like this. There’s no need for pro-wrestling type storylines.
Assuming that it was actually a planned ordeal by EliteXC, if the Diaz brothers have the utmost respect for the sport, like you say, why would they agree to do something as bush league as what went on Saturday night?
I don’t care about the dancers. There are a slew of organizations (Cage Rage, BodogFight as examples) that use them as well. There are a lot bigger problems in this sport to worry about. As far as the commentary goes, read my reaction on Goldberg farther down in the column.
You don’t think the CBS event in May generated positive momentum? I guess that’s why the network ordered a second show to happen on July 26th and all, right? The “human cockfighting” references and bad reaction were down to a minimum following the event. I’d say that’s positive stuff right there.
from sacto, califa
Jun 16, 2008 10:31 AM
I truely don’t think anything positive came out of cbs fights, unless u want more wwe fans?? but that could go either way i guess.
your 1st point; how do i know? well if u remeber the article awhile back where Nick was interviewed and was talking about his mistakes with UFC; not towing the company line and how learned and will do that now. that is why i KNOW it was elite xc that had him do this. And when you have a ton of respect and honor, you do what your told, your a solider not a general.
but yeah i never thought i would disagree with you John, but at least we agree on Goldberg and the commentary of elitexc as garbage.
how about durrring the cbs event, they had Frank Shamrock talknig about respect and honor LOL. sad.
but i honestly belive that Gary Shaw was 100% behind this. Nick would not, i repeat not do this unless told to do so.
from sacto, califa
Jun 16, 2008 10:33 AM
oh also in my opinion, the people we gained from the terrible cbs show loved what happend after the fights, loved it. reminded them of the good ole days of Hulk Hogan.
from sacto, califa
Jun 16, 2008 10:35 AM
hey, i can’t wait to see KenFlo vs Huerta, 
from Philadelphia, PA
Jun 16, 2008 10:51 AM
Well then I guess we can agree to disagree. The fact that the level of negativity following EliteXC’s show on CBS was extremely low is positive in itself. Factor in a slew of new fans the show created, more mainstream exposure for the sport, and that CBS has ordered another show already for next month on top of the ratings and I’d say that the show was a success.
As far as Diaz as the whole respect for the sport thing goes, I realize that he has to do what his boss says, but for someone that constantly harps on how he loves the purity of the sport, if it was indeed staged, I just can’t understand why Diaz would opt to be a part of something like that.
from sacto, califa
Jun 16, 2008 10:56 AM
yep, if u think wwe meets mma is good for the sport then yeah your right, it was a positive result.
John i am truelly shocked by some of your statements, thus i must ask; you really used to love big time wrestling right??
from sacto, califa
Jun 16, 2008 11:05 AM
it also amazes me that people are more upset over this little flair up that was after the fights… yet they pay ppv to see idiots like Tank, Phil Baroni, ect. ... that are a much bigger problem for the sport by leaps and bounds.
it seems as Nick n Nate walked into the Noon’s family wake or one of their kids baptism not a post fight hugging session. Cuz that would really be disrespectfull, this was cleary not that. This was Gary Shaw HYPING UP a future fight, and you people all FELL FOR IT.
from sacto, califa
Jun 16, 2008 11:41 AM
well fff me, now my GF agrees with you John.... s.o.b. that really stings .. my own GF siding with you.... i’m sooo defeated. if it was noon i would be boozing cuz of that lol.
anyway, with her on your side, i quit, u guys win.
I will still look forward to any and all of your articles as log off with my tail between my legs.
from LA
Jun 16, 2008 3:22 PM
This article is a onesided ass kissing attempt to take a moral ground on something that has no moral basis.
Come on man.. whomever wrote this piece of crap article.. KJ noons Father charged, KJ noons charged, Both DIaz boys backed up. The only ones swinging were the Noons Family.
Diaz boys were doing their job. Trash taking is part of the game. making it physical is the downfall of that event and was kind of overlooked by a shitty author.. Rewatch the fight and take this article off the net because your an ass for posting such a one sided view on what happened, a view that isnt really accurate.
from scranton pa
Jun 16, 2008 3:23 PM
if kj noons just said yes to the rematch none of this would have happened when your watching the viedo yes nathan d. is throwing the finger and the father is seen screaming in the backround so now kj has to fight diaz for family respect
from scranton pa
Jun 16, 2008 3:30 PM
BIG AL RIGHT , THE NOONS FAMILY CAME CHARGING NOT THE FUCKING DIAZ BROTHERS!!! sO THEREFORE KJ WILL HAVE TO FIGHT NICK. PEOPLE CAN CALL THE DIAZ BROTHERS WHAT THEY WANT THEY CAN FUCKING FIGHT.
from Philadelphia, PA
Jun 16, 2008 4:00 PM
Craig - I was once a pretty big pro wrestling fan when I was younger, especially during WWF’s attitude era so I can definitely appreciate “pushing the envelope”. I still do watch from time to time but I stopped being a hardcore follower around 2002, which is when I really started following MMA heavily. After years of watching both things, I enjoy the differences that they have, mainly why I get so irked when pro wrestling-related things cross over to MMA and vice versa.
BigAl - If you read the entire article, I blame Karl Noons Sr. as much as I do the Diaz brothers. I’m not really sure where my description of what happened isn’t accurate, all I did was a basic play-by-play of the chaos. Considering the main focus of the piece was how the event was marred by what happened after the Noons-Edwards fight, how am I overlooking what happened? You aren’t making much sense.
from sacramento, ca
Jun 16, 2008 5:29 PM
I’ll get to the point the elitexc is a garbage organization thats gonna hinder the grouth of quality mma
from UK
Jun 17, 2008 6:06 AM
Contrary to what most are saying…
Great article John. I totally agree that the actions of the Diaz brothers and the Noons family, were completely out of order.
Before I go on, I think ‘Craig O’ is being a bit too elitest here, he clearly believes that his love of ‘MMA’ means anyone trying to gain an edge to their brand, can only unconstructively criticised. Totally disregarding facts and figures you are completely dismissing EliteXC as a now reasonably established brand. Whats more, you dont know that Gary Shaw ordered this to happen, that might be your opinion on things, but perception is reality my friend. The fact remains, exactly as John pointed out; Even if Shaw was behind it, they should all have shown much more class when they were in the ring together.
It doesn’t surprise me what happened really, both Nick and Nate have but 1 brain-cell between them and I’m guessing Noons Snr has had most of his beaten out along the way. To see Nate Diaz though, UFC lightweight up-and-comer, ‘ambassador for the sport’, flipping off Noons Snr in his ‘ghetto’ fashion was utterly retarded. What on earth would possess such an individual to do that? And to what ends? Its not too surprising he reacted is it?
The real problem I have is that crap like this only serves to sully the sport and confirm the theories of the sceptics. Which is exactly what we dont want. We all like a bit of drama, a story to go with our fight, but not between a punk and an OAP.
from sacto, califa
Jun 17, 2008 9:49 PM
John, i feel yah… i hate it too much i think.. at least i’ve been told i’m too passionate by my better half lol.
Egihtstep and you are right, the diaz bro’s prob didn’t go in there and bow and nod. and that was tad over the top on their part. But i stand behind my statement taht Gary Shaw sent them out there, i would bet a grip load on it. As you notice, there’s been no word from shaw, has there? wonder why he hasn’t lashed out the diaz’s or noons’ old man?
if in fact they did it on it their own, you think Gary would be quiet? i doubt it. Lack of actions speak volumes.
from San Antonio,TX
Jun 20, 2008 12:03 PM
One thing is for sure..The event got alot of attention for this..Wether we like it or not,lots more renecks will be wathcing this(meaning more viewers) to see what other incidents will happen next...sPida http://www.ethnologyclothing.com
from Vancouver, B.C.
Jun 26, 2008 8:48 PM
Nate Diaz exchanging words with anyone is too funny. The guy has serious trouble putting coherent sentences together.
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from HI
Jun 15, 2008 9:34 PM
I totally agree with this post. The Diaz brothers have No class in and out of the cage. This is a very critical time for the sport of MMA and the Diaz brothers/EliteXC caused this sport to take a huge step in the wrong direction. I also agree with KJ Noons when he said that it was a shame that a veteran of this sport, Yves Edwards, who trained so hard for this main event, was overshadowed by two punks with “Small Man Syndrome.” I mean they are good fighters but for some reason they seem extremely insecure. It could be because they both have a lisp when they speak or they are trying to compensate for a certain part of their bodies. Either way, that was a great moment for the Noons family. KJ, who is a native of the Big Island-Hawai’i, finally got to fight in front of his family in what was an explosive main event and before they could even enjoy the moment, that little prick Nate Diaz was already talkin shit to KJ’s Dad. Nate should not even have been able to go in there. And to disrespect his dad and throw a water bottle at him?!? WTF! Dana White had better adress this issue with that little prick Nate, especially because Dana White is always saying how UFC fighters need to be ambasadors of this sport. EliteXC needs to reprimand “small prick Nick” who seems to only be able to hype a fight by talkin way too much shit. No Class!