In the next two weeks MMA Payout will be bringing you the top 11 MMA business stories of 2011. Sure, you will dispute our rankings but its a nice review of what’s happened over a very active 2011 in the MMA business.
11. ProElite reemerges for two events in 2011
Entertainment company Stratus Media Group acquired a 95% stake in Pro Elite in June which started the wheels toward the company’s first card in August. MMA Payout had a two part exclusive with VP of Fight Operations T. Jay Thompson. In addition to Thompson, ex-Strikeforce exec Rich Chou was an important acquisition for the company.
The debut card, Pro Elite 1, held the same day as UFC Rio on August 27th was streamed live on Sherdog. It was held in Honolulu, Hawaii. The card featured Andre Arlovlski, Reagan Penn and Kendall Grove.
In October, it announced a multi-fight, multi-year TV deal with HD Net. Pro Elite 2: Big Guns, was held on November 5th in Moline, Illinois.Its next card is scheduled for January 21, 2012 at the same location as PE1.
It will be interesting to see how ProElite does with its third event and how it will expand in 2012.
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