MMAPayout.com Live at EliteXC Primetime

MMAPayout.com’s Andrew Falzon is live blogging from cageside at the Prudential Center for EliteXC Primetime, airing live on CBS at 9PM EST.

SEE ALSO: Objective/Analysis: CBS’s EliteXC Broadcast Team

• So far, the three man play-by-play/ color team have done an excellent job in not only calling the action, but explaining the intricacies to first-time viewers. Though Gus Johnson was billed as play-by-play and Mauro Ranallo was doing color, the both seem to be co-existing in a shared play-by-play role. MMA rookie Johnson is focusing on the calls, while Ranallo is reaching into the depth of his experience for anecdotal information.
• Color commentator and active fighter Frank Shamrock has done an exceptional job navigating rookie fans through the ins and outs of the ground game. Shamrock was part of the opening “block” of the show, where he demonstrated the rules of the game.
• Producer David Dinkins, Jr. and the CBS production crew also deserve credit for the high on-air production values displayed.
• One notable deviation is that Karyn Bryant was originally listed as cageside reporter. Instead, most of her work has been behind the scenes, while Johnson handles in-cage interviews. This could be an attempt by CBS to really extend Johnson into the MMA branding, as Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan have become synonymous with the UFC.
• The broadcast also took fans up close and personal when Robbie Lawlor accidentally spoked Scott Smith in the eye. Fans heard the sportsmanship of both athletes, who mutually apologized for the faux pas.
• Initial Crowd Estimates –The Prudential Center holds a maximum of 19,500 when configured for concerts. For tonight’s event the seating has been cut down to about 12-thousand. At the the time show went to air, best estimate is that “The Rock” is about 70% full.
• Word in the media pit is that this is a stronger crowd than the last MMA event held at The Rock, which was UFC 78. However, official numbers from that event totaled 14,071.
• The UFC and EliteXC events used very different arena configuratons. EliteXC and CBS have chosen to use a WWE-style fighter catwalk, blocking off all levels of about 1/4 of the arena. Just The UFC event blocked off the upper levels and hung large viewing screens from those seats. MMAPayout.com will bring you the official numbers as soon as they become available.
• Rapper’s Delight -If it weren’t for the cage in the middle of the arena, you might think you were at rap concert. Before the evening’s first fight rap superstar Buster Rhymes pumped up the crowd as part of Brett “The Grim” Rogers entrance.
• The referee for the fight was Dan Mirgliotta and the smirk on his face said a lot about the grandiose entrance.
• While CBS and EliteXC knows how to put on a show, some of the hoopla might be lost on fans who appreciate the humility of a George St. Pierre.
• I Saw the Sign…The UFC is not the only MMA brand borrowing from the WWE book of business. Before the CBS broadcast began, the EliteXC ring card girls, who easily captured the attention of the largely male crowd, handed out the sign pictured at the right. Handing out pre-made signs is a long time hallmark of wrestling promoters big and small. The only flaw in the plan is that the signs were handed out about an hour and half before the main event. EliteXC needs to hope the signs don’t become victims of spilt beer in the process.