Florida clears Elite XC in Kimbo loss

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Various reports tonight that the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has cleared recently folded mixed martial arts organization Elite XC of any wrongdoing in star fighter Kimbo Slice’s 14-second knockout loss to Seth Petruzelli Oct. 4.

The Florida boxing commission investigated Petruzelli’s claims two days after the fight that he was paid extra by Elite XC promoters to fight in a stand-up style, which would favor former street fighter Slice.

Earlier this week, Elite XC executive consultant T. Jay Thompson told The Times he was told by two Elite XC promoters that Kimbo would be OK in the fight because it would remain a stand-up affair. Thompson, working the event for the MMA apparel firm Tapout, said he was so bothered by that ‘nod’ that he called an associate who helps direct odds for off-shore casinos. That information caused the off-shore casinos to open Kimbo as a 6-1 favorite, twice the favorite that he was in Las Vegas.

But Thompson reportedly wasn’t interviewed in the Florida investigation, according to documents that emerged in tonight’s reports. California boxing commission director Armando Garcia and his Nevada counterpart, Keith Kizer, reportedly vouched to Florida that Elite XC had previously operated in a responsible manner.

The good news for Elite XC comes two days after the organization moved toward bankruptcy, following Showtime Networks’ decision to reject an investment into the organization’s parent company in Los Angeles, Pro Elite, Inc.

-- Lance Pugmire