or


[12/20/06 - 11:25 PM]
Shamrock VS. Gracie; Two of the Biggest Names in Mma to Square Off February 10 in First-Ever Elitexc Event
The two legends will square off in the first ever EliteXC event, to be televised live on Showtime, February 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT (tape delayed on the West Coast).

[via press release from Showtime]

SHAMROCK vs. GRACIE; TWO OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN MMA TO SQUARE OFF FEBRUARY 10 IN FIRST-EVER EliteXC EVENT

LOS ANGELES (December 14, 2006) � Frank Shamrock is regarded by many to be the first true mixed martial artist in combat sports. Renzo Gracie is a prominent member of the most famous family in martial arts. Now, these two legends will square off in the first ever EliteXC event, to be televised live on SHOWTIME, February 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT (tape delayed on the West Coast).

Shamrock vs. Gracie will make history as they usher in the next generation of mixed martial arts with EliteXC and MMA airs live for the first time on premium television. But to Shamrock and Gracie, these are not principal motivations. They have family matters to settle.

The Shamrock-Gracie family duel dates back to 1994 when Royce Gracie, Renzo's cousin, defeated Shamrock's brother Ken. One year later, Royce and Ken fought to a draw in the rematch.

Eleven years later, in March 2006, Frank Shamrock knocked out Cesar Gracie, another of Renzo's cousins, in the first round.

Now, Renzo has a chance to clear his family name with a definitive win over Shamrock on February 10.

"This is one of the biggest fights you could ask for," said former world wrestler and global superstar Bill Goldberg, who will serve as color analyst on the SHOWTIME telecasts. "I think having these two legends go at it for the inaugural event is huge. Shamrock and Gracie put this sport on the map. Now they are going to put EliteXC on the map. I can't wait for February 10th."

Shamrock, 34, of Santa Jose, Calif., has been looking for the right opportunity to make a noteworthy comeback in the sport. The five-time defending middleweight champion semi-retired from competition after defeating Tito Ortiz by submission in 1999 and has returned for just three fights since including the Gracie KO.

"I am as passionate as ever about being in the cage," said Shamrock. "In 1999, I began pursuing a career in Hollywood and had some great success. Now, having the chance to finally settle the score with the Gracie family, I can't think of a better way to make a big comeback."

Shamrock was the first fighter to successfully incorporate wrestling, jiu-jitsu and kickboxing into one fluid art form. His style of blending the best techniques from multiple disciplines revolutionized the sport and has made him one of the preeminent combatants ever to enter the cage.

In his 13-year career, Shamrock has a record of 21 wins, seven losses and one draw and has not lost a fight since a split decision loss to John Lober in 1997. He feels a bout against Renzo Gracie, and with EliteXC on SHOWTIME, is the ideal opportunity to cement his legacy as one of the world's best middleweights.

"I am the complete package," said Shamrock. "I can strike with anyone, I have excellent submission skills and come February 10, another Gracie is going to feel my wrath." Gracie, who was recently featured on CBS's 60 Minutes, is representing the first family of MMA. The Gracie's introduced the world to Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the outset of the MMA phenomenon. Renzo is known to pundits for his fierce determination, competitiveness and pride. Coupled with his nature as a family man, Renzo is one of the most well-liked and popular fighters today.

With a record of 11 wins, six losses and one draw, the 39-year old from New York, by way of Rio de Janeiro, has been waiting for his shot at Shamrock for a long time. "Frank always says he's the best in the world and talks bad about everyone, not just my family. I would love to shut him up," said Gracie. "I met up with him in Japan a while back and he couldn't look me in the eye. I found out later that he was talking trash about me in an interview."

Although there are no belts on the line, the stakes are high for Shamrock-Gracie. The Brazilian is fighting to restore his family name while Shamrock is looking to prove that his conglomerate style is the best fighting technique in the world.

"It will be interesting to see Gracie, with his penchant for jiu-jitsu and grappling against the true mixed style of Frank Shamrock," Goldberg said. "There's no question that the Gracie's are among the best grapplers in the world, but as good a striker as Shamrock is, he is equally talented on the ground."

EliteXC is a newly-formed Mixed Martial Arts venture led by CEO Doug DeLuca and President of Live Events Gary Shaw, the legendary fight promoter. EliteXC is backed by LA-based Pro-Elite Inc.

Following a career in the National Football League, Goldberg became one of World Wrestling Entertainment's most popular global stars. In addition to starring on screen in "The Longest Yard" with Adam Sandler, the multi-talented entertainer has experience behind the microphone, serving as guest analyst for various MMA pay-per-view events in recent years.

The executive producer of the telecast will be David Dinkins, Jr. who serves the same capacity for SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.

Eight-time Emmy Award winning director John Faratzis will call the shots from the television truck. Faratzis will add EliteXC to a long list of notable directorial credits including three Super Bowls and five Olympic Games.

For more information, please visit EliteXC.com.

About Pro Elite, Inc. (www.proeliteinc.com)

Pro Elite, Inc. is an entertainment and media company dedicated to producing world-class sports events which empowers the participation of both athletes and enthusiasts Pro Elite Inc. fosters the growth of the core principles of competition - Pride, Spirit, Honor and Sportsmanship.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME�, THE MOVIE CHANNEL� and FLIX�, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME� TOO�, SHOWTIME� SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME�, SHOWTIME BEYOND�, SHOWTIME NEXT�, SHOWTIME WOMEN�, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE� and TMC XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD�, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD�, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND� and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND�. SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME� PPV.





  [december 2006]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· 60 MINUTES (CBS)





[12/06/25 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "The Boys" Explosive Final Season Premiere Date & Teaser Drop at CCXP Brazil
The fifth and final season will premiere exclusively on Prime Video on April 8, 2026.

[12/06/25 - 02:46 PM]
Paramount and UFC Announce New Seasons of "Dana White's Contender Series" and "The Ultimate Fighter"
Beginning in 2026, Paramount+ in the U.S., Latin America, and Australia will become the exclusive home for all episodes of both series.

[12/06/25 - 02:27 PM]
Video: "School Spirits" Returns - Paramount+ Drops First Look at Season Three Premiering January 28
The date was unveiled alongside first look images at today's Paramount+ CCXP panel in São Paolo, Brazil featuring series lead and executive producer Peyton List.

[12/06/25 - 02:12 PM]
Video: Oscar-Nominee Paul Giamatti Surprises Fans at CCXP and Reveals Exclusive Scene from "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy"
The series will premiere globally with two episodes on Thursday, January 15 on Paramount+, and in Japan on Tuesday, January 23.

[12/06/25 - 10:47 AM]
Hulu Debuts First-Look Images from "The Testaments" Out of Brazil Comic Con
"The Testaments," a new chapter from the showrunner and executive producers of "The Handmaid's Tale," is coming in April 2026 to Hulu.

[12/06/25 - 10:31 AM]
Video: Date Announcement & Teaser Debut - Hulu's "Paradise" Season 2
The second season of the Emmy Award-nominated series premieres Monday, February 23 with three episodes, followed by new episodes weekly on Hulu and Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the US and Disney+ internationally.

[12/05/25 - 03:31 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 in Total Viewers
"Nightline" improved on the previous week in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, hitting nine-week highs in both measures.

[12/05/25 - 03:30 PM]
In Anticipation of "Avatar: Fire and Ash," ABC News to Premiere Two New Specials This December
First up: "Avatar: A New Era - Special Edition of 20/20" premieres Friday, December 12 on ABC.

[12/05/25 - 02:05 PM]
ESPN Networks Deliver Best College Football Regular Season Since 2011; "College GameDay Built by The Home Depot" Scores Most-Watched Season Ever
ESPN networks aired the most-watched game in 34 of 42 key Saturday windows, including seven of 14 noon windows, 13 of 14 late afternoon windows and all 14 prime windows.

[12/05/25 - 12:35 PM]
2025 CFB Viewership Surges on FOX & FS1
The 2025 regular season wrapped with big numbers for "Big Noon Saturday," "Big Noon Kickoff" and more - including year-over-year gains across the board.

[12/05/25 - 11:00 AM]
CBS Premiere Week Episodes Post Gains and Lead In Live Plus 35-Day Multiplatform Viewership
"Tracker" delivered 17.3 million viewers, up +6% versus its year-ago premiere.

[12/05/25 - 10:05 AM]
"Landman" Booms Into a Third Season Renewal and Breaks Viewing Records on Paramount+
The second season is set to be a top three series among all original content the week of November 17 and a top two series for the week of November 24 according to Nielsen preliminary data.

[12/05/25 - 09:45 AM]
Video: "Taylor" - A CW Documentary Special - Trailer
The special - airing Saturday, December 13 - explores the global phenomenon of Taylor Swift and digs deep across the musician's 20-year career, a period that has seen her transcend the realm of pop star to become a cultural icon like no other.

[12/05/25 - 08:45 AM]
ESPN Delivered Most-Watched Women's College Volleyball Season on Record
Said coverage averaged 190,000 viewers, up 36% from the 2024 season.

[12/05/25 - 08:31 AM]
Peacock Exclusively Streams Monkeypaw Productions' "Him" Beginning December 19
The film stars Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies and more.