Rich Chou on EliteXC's Collapse, Why Kimbo Slice is the Original Jake Paul, & UFC Battles

Legendary matchmaker and combat sports consultant Rich Chou (EliteXC, Strikeforce, Bellator) joins Erik Apple for a deep dive into the business and culture of MMA.

Rich opens up about the uphill battle promotions constantly faced against the UFC juggernaut and details the overnight growth of EliteXC launching on CBS. He also shares his unique perspective on the famous Ken Shamrock injury controversy and the chaos that followed. Rich offers a fascinating comparison, explaining why Kimbo Slice was the original model for today's mega-draws like Jake Paul. Finally, he addresses the massive controversy surrounding the recent changes to The Underground Forum.

Don't miss his insights on the "Golden Era" of Strikeforce before its acquisition!

🚨 TIMESTAMPS: MUST-WATCH MOMENTS 🚨

12:38 - Kimbo Slice is the Modernday Jake Paul: The Genius of Promoting a "House of Cards"
10:43 - EliteXC's Big Mistake: Why the Promotion was Forced to Push Kimbo
4:25 - The Uphill Battle: The Relief of No Longer Competing Directly with the UFC
16:01 - The Ken Shamrock Mystery: What Really Happened When He Pulled Out of the Kimbo Fight?
19:10 - Strikeforce's Golden Era: Why the Promotion Became a "Victim of Its Own Success"
20:36 - Addressing the Critics: Why Rich Chou is "The Enemy" to The Underground Forum
1:08 - MMA.inc: Rich Chou's Current Focus on Growing Gyms and Training Culture
6:02 - Rumble on the Rock: The Rivalry with Super Brawl and Icon

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