According to EliteXC.com, Showtime plans on showcasing young EliteXC talent in the same way that it showcases boxing prospects on ShoBox: The Next Generation. A show focused on spotlighting younger MMA prospects will being on Showtime this Friday. It will be called ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series.
According to the Showtime press release, the goal of the series is to put on great fights involving up-and-coming talent in the world of MMA.
“This network and our partners at EliteXC have made a long-term commitment to developing the sport of professional mixed martial arts,” said Ken Hershman, senior vice president and general manager, Showtime Sports & Event Programming. “ShoXC is one of the most important components to that development. Now, young fighters will have an elite proving ground to showcase their talents on national television. In addition, the fans now can track MMA’s future stars as they develop their fighting style and skills.”
This sounds like a great idea. It’s just one more way to introduce more stars into the MMA scene. The first telecast will be this Friday, July 27th, at 11 p.m. Future ShoXC events are scheduled to take place on Saturday nights. The card for this Friday is as follows:
Edson Berto vs. KJ Noons
Aaron Witherspoon vs. Jeremiah Metcalf
Chris David vs. Scott Jorgenson
Jefferson Silva vs. Aaron RosA
Up to five fights will be shown on Showtime. Berto vs. Noons is serving as the main event and they will be fighting at 155 lbs. Witherspoon-Metcalf is a King of the Cage/Gladiator Challenge welterweight championship unification match.
Mauro Ranallo will return for play-by-play and he will be paired in the booth with Stephen Quadros. If only it were Bas Rutten. Stay tuned to Inside Fights for a review of Friday’s action.
