Four Top Contenders Confirmed for Nov. 8 EliteXC

EliteXC VP Jared Shaw informed MMAJunkie.com today that four new players have been added to the mix for organization’s return to Showtime on November 8.

Shaw confirmed that top contenders Joey Villasenor, Nick Diaz, Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante, and Brett Rogers are all scheduled compete at the event.

Villasenor could headline the show in a rumored bout with EliteXC middleweight champ Robbie Lawler but as of now it’s only an option according to Shaw. Lawler is taking some time off and it is unclear as to when he may return to action.

Villasenor was originally slated to headline a September 20th event in New Mexico but the event was suddenly cancelled. Joey Villasenor has been on a tear since losing his middleweight title fight to "Ninja" Rua back in June of 2006. He has gone 3-0 since that fight with a decision victory over Riki Fukuda and two impressive knockouts over Ryan Jensen and Phil Baroni. Villasenor is right back in line for a title shot against the champ, Robbie Lawler.

Nick Diaz on the other hand was recently denied his title shot against KJ Noons at the Oct. 4 event when Noons and his camp refused to take the fight. In recent statements made by the champ, he claimed that it was an issue of pay and not the fact that he is afraid of losing his belt to Diaz in a rematch. I prefer to believe it is the latter that prevented him from accepting the fight. Noons’ manager Mark Dion played a big role in the non-acceptance of the fight, scoffing at the rematch and refusing to return EliteXC’s calls.

Brett Rogers was also denied his opportunity to display his skills on Network TV on Oct. 4. Rogers was originally considered as an opponent for Kimbo in the main event of EliteXC on CBS III, but Rogers was simply too big of a threat to their star player so the organization went with Ken Shamrock instead. Rogers, who called out Kimbo, most definitely would have been Kimbo’s biggest test to date.

As for Rafael Cavalcante, he has breezed through his first three EliteXC opponents with riveting first round knockouts. The 6’2 Brazilian will look to make it four in a row come November 8th. The question is; who will step into the ring with the Brazilian killer?

What I find interesting is the fact that this card is already miles ahead of EliteXC’s "Primetime" card on October 4th. The top contenders are forced to fight on the Showtime card, while Slice and Carano soak up the "Primetime" rays in front of a Network audience. In reality it should be the other way around.