Since the demise of EliteXC, there have been rumors and questions about where the newly unemployed fighters would take their services. It turns out they will go to the highest bidder, as EliteXC is auctioning off their remaining contracts to whoever wants them.

The biggest draws will be Kimbo Slice, Gina Carano, Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos, Nick Diaz, Robbie Lawlor and Jake Shields.

The auction will take place on November 17, at the offices of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP in Los Angeles, according to a banner EliteXC has posted at the top of popular mixed martial arts site MMAweekly.com.

The unfortunate situation doesn't leave the fighters much room to negotiate new contracts, but it does give various organizations a chance to scoop up some quality fighters who could be a big draw.

It's hard to believe that the UFC will participate, based on their hard line negotiation tactics in the past. If they are interested in any of these fighters, they will likely wait for the contracts to expire, and then negotiate a cheaper contract, with the promises of opportunities to fight the best competition in the sport. UFC president Dana White has made it clear that Kimbo is not an option, and also that the UFC has no interest in promoting female fighters.

I'm putting my hat in the ring now. I've got $50 I can throw in to purchase the contract of Gina Carano, who is my absolute favorite fighter in mixed martial arts. I would bid more, but let's face it... I'm a blogger, not a millionaire. I won't make it to LA for the auction, but hopefully EliteXC sees this, and cuts me a break. And hopefully no one else outbids me. I don't like my chances, to be honest.

There's a good chance that Mark Cuban will take advantage of this opportunity, and grab some of the contracts for his HDNet Fights organization. Cuban is a businessman above all else, and there is a huge demand for a Carano-Cyborg fight, and Kimbo is probably still an inexplicably big draw.

Best of luck to the fighters, and I really hope that they are able to make the best of this situation and land in a much better situation. EliteXC had a chance to be a solid organization, and had some of the best talent outside the UFC before they got caught up in the circus act of Kimbo, and the rumors of fixing fight results, or at least suggesting certain fight tactics. The fighters are not to blame, however, and hopefully they do well, wherever they end up.


Contracts Of Kimbo Slice, Gina Carano To Go To The Highest Bidder [Fanhouse]