KIMBO, NICK DIAZ, KJ NOONS,
JAKE SHIELDS, MIKE PYLE, BO CANTRELL,
JONATHAN WIEZOREK, SETH KLEINBECK & KYLE NOKE
PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007,
Ortiz International Center, Corpus Christi, Texas
“ELITEXC: RENEGADE’’
Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007; SHOWTIME Telecast Begins at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Nick Diaz will take on KJ Noons for the EliteXC world lightweight title in the main event at the American Bank Center Arena in Corpus Christi, Tex., this Saturday, Nov. 10, on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
Kimbo Slice, a legendary underground bare-knuckle fighter who’s videos have been downloaded in excess of 10 million times – and counting — on YouTube, will make his EliteXC debut against Bo “Redrum’’ Cantrell in an eagerly anticipated Special Attraction.
Saturday’s attractive co-feature on Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, presents “EliteXC: Renegade’’ will match Jake Shields against Mike “Quicksand” Pyle.
In other SHOWTIME-televised fights, Kyle Noke will make his EliteXC debut against “Doctor” Seth “Mass Destruction’’ Kleinbeck and Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva will take on Jonathan Wiezorek.
Saturday’s scheduled non-televised, undercard fights that will be available on ProElite.com the week of Nov. 12 include: Geoff Bumstead vs. Robert Ruiz; Yves Edwards vs. Nick Gonzalez; Jon Kirk vs. Matt Lucas; Ralph Kelly vs. Brett Rogers; and Jae Sok Lim vs. Daniel Pineda.
With the exception of Diaz-Noons, which is scheduled for five, 5-minute rounds, the fights are three, 5-minute rounds. The event will begin at 7 p.m. CT. Doors open at 6 o’clock.
Tickets in all price ranges, starting at $25, are available at the American Bank Center Box Office and all TicketMaster locations. They also may be obtained at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (361) 881-8499. Any ticket buyer may purchase a $50 VIP Package Upgrade, which includes VIP parking and post-fight party at the American Bank Center.
For more information on EliteXC, ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series and other MMA-related stories, including bios, videos, photos, stats and more, please visit ProElite.com, EliteXC.com and www.sho.com/sports.
KIMBO
“The time is getting near for me being able to do what I really like to do, and that’s fight. I am definitely ready to fight somebody.
“It’s not that I dislike doing interviews, but it is something I need to learn to get used to and get more comfortable doing. It is not personal. I am just trying to focus on my fight and trying to avoid distractions. But I know doing interviews before a fight is part of my job.
“This fight is not just about me. It is for my team that has worked so hard to get me ready. Of course, I wish it was Saturday now. I am definitely ready to hit somebody.’’
BO CANTRELL
“I am not intimidated at all. This is not my first rodeo. This is more than a fight; it is like a title fight. Kimbo is getting a lot of attention so a victory would obviously be great for me.
“I am just coming out to do my job. There is no pressure on me whatsoever. Let’s see how he deals with the pressure and against someone who can get off first. I am ready too welcome Kimbo into the world of MMA.’’
NICK DIAZ
“I want to thank everyone involved for making this fight happen, and I want to thank all my training partners for getting me ready. I want to thank Gary Shaw for bringing me back.
“I am ready to go and it is going to be a great fight. Everybody is going to see a good show.
“No way I give up. You are going to have to knock me out to win.’’
KJ NOONS
“Nick is a great fighter, but this is my chance to show that I am truly a great fighter too. I am coming into this fight perfectly. I could not have asked for a better camp. The hand I broke in my last fight is fine.
“The fans are in for a great night of fights. My fight with Nick can’t help but be exciting.
“I am confident and as prepared as I can be.’’
JAKE SHIELDS
“I am looking for respect and becoming No. 1 in the world. As I have said time and again, I want to fight the best.
“I expect a very good fight. I may try and take the fight to him and try and manhandle him, but I don’t have a real plan going in. I’ll just go out and see where things go.
“Mike has some great submissions and has fought some great fighters. I know I need to be my best, but I feel ready for a top effort.’’
MIKE PYLE
“I’d like to thank EliteXC for bringing me back. Title or no title, this is going to be a great fight for the fans and for the both of us. There are going to be fireworks. It is going to be a war.
“Business is business and I hold no animosity toward anyone. This is not personal and I don’t hold any grudges against anybody.
“I am looking forward to competing again. The layoff will not bother me at all. I have a job to do and I am going to do it to the best of my ability on Saturday.’’
JONATHAN WIEZOREK
“Fighting a great, big talented guy like “Big Foot’’ Silva is a huge challenge but a great opportunity for me.
“I hope to try and take advantage of his mistakes; he does make some on occasion.
“To me, this is a win-win opportunity. If I win, I shock the world. If I don’t and still perform well, I will be OK.
‘’There is no pressure on me. Everybody expects me to lose. I feel great and my training is good. I hope to prove everybody wrong.’’
SETH KLEINBECK
“I’d like to thank everybody for making this fight and this show happen. It is an honor to be part of it – if I wasn’t fighting on it, I’d definitely be watching. It is that good.
“Training has been excellent and I am ready to fight. I know Noke is coming to win and make a name for himself here. This is going to be a good test and a very good fight.’’
KYLE NOKE
“I am exciting about fighting in the United States and appearing on SHOWTIME for the first time.
“They really threw me in tough first time out, but I am always ready to accept a challenge. This is going to be fun. There is no pressure.
“He likes to stand and brawl and so do I. This is going to be a great fight for as long as it lasts.’’