ELITEXC: DESTINY – THE BATTLE BEGINS’Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007; Telecast Begins at 10 p.m. ET/PT Sixteen of the 20 fighters who will compete on the outstanding 10-bout EliteXC mixed martial arts event Saturday at DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, Miss., attended Thursday's final press conference at Sam's Town in Tunica, Miss.

ELITEXC: DESTINY – THE BATTLE BEGINS’Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007; Telecast Begins at 10 p.m. ET/PT Sixteen of the 20 fighters who will compete on the outstanding 10-bout EliteXC mixed martial arts event Saturday at DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, Miss., attended Thursday’s final press conference at Sam’s Town in Tunica, Miss.

The first five bouts of the live card will be streamed live on the Internet beginning at 7 p.m. (ET) at ProElite.com -- a growing destination for the MMA community.

The final five bouts, headlined by the eagerly awaited, history-making Frank Shamrock-Renzo Gracie showdown, will be televised on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast). It will be the first time an MMA event airs live on premium television.
 
Tickets, starting at $25, are available in all price ranges at the DeSoto Civic Center Box Office and at Ticketmaster outlets.
 
For more information, please visit EliteXC.com

FRANK SHAMROCK
“I am ready to do it. I am so proud to be part of this promotion. The professionalism and the hype surrounding this event is one of the best I have ever been around or seen. Renzo, if you choke me out on Saturday night, I will gladly go to sleep until Monday. But we both know that is not going to happen.’’

RENZO GRACIE
“The fans in attendance and watching on SHOWTIME are going to see a great fight. I am so happy to be part of this history-making event. Everything about it has been done first-class since day one. I have been around this sport a long time and to see it moving forward the way it should be is a great thrill for me.’’

GINA CARANO
“I am super excited to be part of this, and extremely proud to be part of the first women’s TV fight on SHOWTIME. Julie is a great fighter and this will be a great fight. We’re both fighters; I know we won’t disappoint. I want to thank everyone for their amazing support. I feel pressure but it is all positive.’’

JULIE KEDZIE
“I am absolutely thrilled to be part of this history-making fight and event. I thank Gina for letting me be part of it. This is a fight between two skilled fighters. The fact we are women I think will diminish from the minds of fans once they see us going at it. I know one thing for sure: I am here to fight.’’

(more)
 
2-2-2
ELITEXC FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

KJ NOONS
“I want to thank SHOWTIME and Gary Shaw for having me on a show of this quality and significance. I have trained my butt off for this fight and am ready to fight right now. I am going to kick that punk’s butt on Saturday night.’’

CHARLES “KRAZY HORSE’’ BENNETT
“I fight for money, but I am going to break his (Noons’) jaw. He talks too much. If he thinks trash-talking me at a press conference is going to get under my skin, he is dreaming. He thinks he is going to go into boxing after this fight. He is going to the hospital after I break his jaw and shut him up for good.’’

ANTONIO SILVA
“For my first fight in the United States to be shown on SHOWTIME is just tremendous. I hope to take advantage of the opportunity and put on a great show. This is a big fight and I look forward to showing my skills. I have been on major shows in Japan, so there is no pressure -- only excitement inside me.’’

WESLEY “CABBAGE’’ CORREIRA
“I am very pleased to be on this first-ever SHOWTIME EliteXC event. This should be a wonderful experience. If you like lots of loud bangs and falls, this is the fight for you. I really believe that our fight could steal the show and be the fight of the night.’’

DAVID LOISEAU
“I feel truly honored to be included on this show. This is really going to be a great fight and I know the fans are going to love every second of it. I have a lot of respect for my opponent, but I am in my best shape ever. I am very confident I will come out of the cage with a victory.’’

JOEY VILLASENOR
“I am very excited. Fighting Saturday on SHOWTIME is an honor. I am not going to let this opportunity slip through my hands. I am ready to win and move forward. I have been training very hard in Albuquerque. Three of my brothers just won their fights; now, it is my turn.’’