Jeremy Lappen, head of ProElite's fight operations recently talked with MMAJunkie about the canceled EliteXC Event for Sep.20th in NM:"Our decision (to cancel the Sept. 20 event) is not being driven by market factors," Lappen stated. "The fan base for MMA is growing in the Southwest, and we think New Mexico is a great market. We look forward to working with the New Mexico Sports Authority again and bringing world-class mixed martial arts to New Mexico in the near future."
"[We] need to be smart about how we use our resources to produce the best possible events for our fans and our broadcast partners," Lappen stated. "This move lets us direct our energies toward building momentum for our ShoXC and EliteXC fights on Showtime and CBS in the fall."
***A source close to the EliteXC event has informed N.M.C.S that another reason the Sep.20th event was canceled, was due to "EliteXC/ProElite Officials" not feeling comfortable with a show that didn't have a strong "NAME" as a Co-Main event to Villasenor's fight. EliteXC wanted a Jake Shields or a KJ Noons to defend there title on the show. I guess EliteXC/ProElite just don't understand what type of "Fight State" New Mexico really is?...***
