Written by Scott Swerbinsky

---

On Saturday night on CBS, mixed martial arts fans will get a free night of intriguing mma action as the Elite XC series put together it's best card in the short history of that organization.  The headliner?  Internet street fighter extraoridnaire Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson takes on mma living legend Ken Shamrock.  The card has several other intriguing fights, and my cousin previews the event for us in his latest column.

Live from Fort Lauderdale, Florida EliteXC will have its biggest and most meaningful fight card ever. The event will be shown on CBS and needs to draw solid ratings if it wants to stay on the network. There are many rumors around the mixed martial arts world that the organization doesn't have what it takes to survive.

It is no secret that EliteXC has lost a ton of money and is on life support financially. They are looking at tonight's event to set them up for a huge pay per view event in early of 2009 to help rescue them. Their future depends on the two big name stars they have, Kevin Ferguson better known as Kimbo Slice and Gina Carano. Both will be on display this evening.

The stable of fighters in the EliteXC is very very weak in my opinion. Kimbo is the meal ticket and has had three fights against horrible opposition.

The main event tonight is something I have to see. Even though he has just three fights, Kimbo Slice just might be the most recognizable person in mma right now.  He will be taking on his toughest test, Ken Shamrock.

Shamrock is forty four years old and hasn't won a fight since 2004. He is very experienced and has seen everything. The main reason Shamrock got this fight is because of what he has done for the sport as a whole and for the ratings it will bring. There are many observers that think he will get embarrassed again and doesn't belong anywhere near a main event.

Kimbo Slice is a very imposing figure and has scary power. He also is training with one of the biggest names in the history of mixed martial arts, Bas Rutten. Kimbo will be prepared and it's just a matter of how much he has learned in the short time he has been training.

I see this fight ending in only two possible ways. Kimbo Slice by early knockout or Shamrock by submission.  If something else happens, I will be shocked.

I am pretty interested in the fight and I think many other people are also. There is a chance it turns into a freak show, but that is a gamble I am willing to take.

Gina Carano is another reason to tune in. Not only is she one of the sexiest women I have ever seen, she is actually a damn good fighter. She will take on Kelly Kobald-Gavin.

The last thing EliteXC wants is one of their stars to lose before the first pay per view event. There is a chance either Kimbo or Gina lose tonight, possibly both of them. I don't see it happening but you never know.

The best fighter EliteXC has, Jake Shields, is also on the card. He will be fighting for the welterweight crown against Paul Daley. This matchup has the potential to be the show stealer. Two solid fighters that don't like each other and are very skilled.

Full fight card:

Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson vs. Ken Shamrock

Champ Jake Shields vs. Paul Daley (for EliteXC welterweight title)

Andrei Arlovski vs. Roy Nelson

Gina Carano vs. Kelly Kobold-Gavin      

Benji Radach vs. Murilo "Ninja" Rua            

Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos vs. Yoko Takahashi

Edson Berto vs. Connor Heun

Seth Petruzelli vs. Aaron Rosa

Lorenzo Borgomeo vs. Mikey Gomez

David Gomez vs. Brett Jackowski

Jorge Bouchat vs. Nicolae Cury

This might be the last time we see mma and the EliteXC on basic cable. I have a feeling the ratings will be great and both stars will keep their unbeaten records intact. I know I'll be watching and very curious to see how they plan to keep the fans tuned in.