Trebilcock Plans for Revamped Pro Elite Show in March

MMAInsider caught up with King of the Cage president Terry Trebilcock on Wednesday, who said he is "confident that negotiations are going well" with executives from Pro Elite and CBS.

Trebilcock's company, with backing from private investors, is one of a handfull of MMA promotions and business interests vying for Pro Elite's assets, including fighter contracts and existing broadcast deals with Showtime and CBS. As one of the remaining promotions still operating under the fallen company, there is strong speculation KOTC may be funding some, if not all, of Pro Elite's operating expenses. In October, Pro Elite's cash reserves drifted below $550,000 when Showtime called in an existing loan to the company.

According to Trebilcock, one of the many factors slowing down the deal is the roles of the remaining Pro Elite executives, including CEO Chuck Champion, in the new promotional entity.

In anticipation of a possible deal with CBS and Pro Elite, Trebilcock has lined up venues in New Mexico and Southern California for a possible March event, though he wouldn't say where.

However, the logistics of the deal, as well as the personalities involved in its transaction, appear to provide no timeline for its completion.

"They're slow playing us," said Trebilcock.

Proud Papa Alberto Crane Heading Back to the Cage

Alberto Crane had a lot to be thankful for this year. Just two days prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, Crane's wife gave birth to twin daughters. The proud papa now has three little ones. In addition to recently added twins Sona and Serineh, the Crane household already included 18-month-old son Sevan.

Not only has Crane been busy... umm... at home. He's also been busy working on his career, as well.

"(I'm) fighting Saturday, Dec. 6, at a King of the Cage in Albuquerque at Isleta Casino against a last minute replacement," Crane told MMAInsider.

The win would extend Crane's latest winning streak to three. He started his career 8-0 before dropping back-to-back bouts in the UFC and another at UWC following his exit from the Octagon. A win on Saturday night would be good momentum for the next step in his professional career.

"I'm also opening up a school in L.A. this next month," said Crane. "It was going to be Dec. 15, but looks more like Jan. 5."

Although he's lately been out of the spotlight that shines on the Octagon, Crane has been a busy man, looking to work his way back to the top.

ProElite Shutting It's Doors Today (Tuesday)

EliteXC executive JT Steele informed the Nevada State Atheltic Commission on Tuesday of "the unfortunate confirmation that the November 8, 2008 EliteXC event will be canceled. It is with great regret that I must also inform you that ProElite, Inc. will be closing our operation today."

There had been some speculation that ProElite may run out the week, but it looks like that's not going to happen, not that it made any difference to the parties involved anyway.

It's a little early to tell how the closing of ProElite will effect the various fighters and promotions involved, most of them are spending a considerable amount of time today - and probably in the coming days - either on the phone with or in the offices of their lawyers trying to determine what their options are.

King of the Cage and Cage Rage have both gone on record to MMAWeekly saying that they will persevere, although it is unclear in what form or fashion.

Jake Shields told MMAWeekly on Tuesday that he is hoping to be set free from his contract and not be a part of the liquidation of ProElite's assets, as he'd like to fight against as soon as possible and has his sights set on the UFC.

Business As Usual for King of the Cage?

Despite the downfall of ProElite and EliteXC, King of the Cage, via the following press release on their website on Tuesday, says that it will continue operations as normal, despite being a subsidiary of ProElite:

King of the Cage, Inc. (KOTC) is fully aware of the reports surrounding the financial difficulties of ProElite, Inc. (PE) and the reports that PE has filed or may soon file a bankruptcy case. KOTC is currently reviewing and investigating the situation and has determined that no bankruptcy case has yet been filed by PE . Although KOTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of PE, it has maintained its own independent operational structure since its acquisition by PE. While there may be some short term impact on KOTC's operations, KOTC intends to fulfill all of its existing obligations and to conduct all of its scheduled events. KOTC further intends to resume normal business operations as quickly as possible and to continue to grow its brand as it has for the past 10 years. We will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

"Out of a job, will fight for food."

To all of the people who are now out of a job due to ProElite, Inc. (EliteXC, King of the Cage, ICON Sport, Cage Rage, etc.) closing its doors, it's surely not a humorous subject. The bungling of the way the company was run, driving it into bankruptcy, affects a huge chunk of MMA history, as well as its future.

There are now hundreds of fighters looking for work. But British fighter James Thompson, who suffered a controversial loss at the hands of Kimbo Slice when they met in the first CBS-EliteXC Saturday Night Fights, tried to inject a little humor into the situation.

For people using the Facebook social networking site, there is a feature called "What are you doing right now?" that lets you send out a blast to all of your Facebook friends, basically just telling them whatever you want at that moment.

Thompson on Tuesday morning sent out the following "What are you doing right now?" blast:

"James Thompson is out of a job (will fight for food)."

Here's hoping that Thompson and the other fighters that were under contract through ProElite's various entities are able to break free and find work sooner rather than later.