EliteXC - The Run Jared Shaw | MMA History Podcast

Ep 310 EliteXC The Run - Jared Shaw Following the huge buzz from Part 1 (#308: "The Rise of EliteXC"), Jared returns for an unfiltered deep dive into the promotion's explosive two-year run that seriously challenged the UFC. Hear the insider stories: nearly signing Brock Lesnar post-K-1, flying Kimbo Slice to LA with a briefcase of cash to lock in MMA's first viral superstar (his 43-second KO of Tank Abbott drew massive Showtime ratings), Gina Carano's breakthrough win over Tonya Evinger at Uprising in Hawaii (despite her tough weight cut), and the bold events that pushed women's MMA forward while building legitimacy with fighters like Robbie Lawler and Nick Diaz. Shaw opens up on the highs (CBS primetime deals bringing MMA to millions), the internal chaos, financial struggles, and the dramatic 2008 collapse after the Heat event controversy. Plus, personal reflections like his life-changing open-heart surgery at 19. This is authentic MMA history straight from the VP who lived it-raw, revealing, and essential for any fight fan. Tune in tomorrow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Subscribe and hit notifications so you don't miss it! 0:00 MMA history podcast intro 0:32 Joey Venti’s guest introduction 0:52 interview start 3:11 Bjorn Rebney reputation 4:53 talks of signing Brock Lesnar to Elite XC 7:05 bad matchmaking for Brock Lesnar 9:14 open heart surgery at an early age 12:40 EliteXC Uprising in Honolulu 13:37 importance of Rich Chou 16:37 TJay Thompson brought in by Rich Chou 18:04 Patrick Freitas 20:48 Matchmaking process 24:26 coming up with weight classes for event 27:18 Gina Carano struggling to make weight 27:52 revitalizing Robbie Lawler 29:33 contacting Icey Mike about Kimbo Slice 34:14 signing Kimbo Slice to Elite XC 36:53 dealing with the California Athletic Commission 40:26 Chuck Champion makes organization cuts 43:35 Mike Pyle refusing to fight for the title 47:19 Kimbo vs Bo Cantrell 51:56 KJ Noons vs Nick Diaz 59:28 Nick Diaz importance for Elite XC 1:00:36 conversations with Dream FC 1:02:54 co