EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw told MMAjunkie.com late Monday that middleweight contender Joey Villasenor, heavyweight title hopeful Brett Rogers, lightweight contender Nick Diaz and top light heavyweight Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante are all scheduled for the organizations next event on November 8th.
Opponents have yet to be determined for any of the fighters. However, Villasenor could fight EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler at the event athough Shaw could not confirm the fight, other than saying it's an option.
Regardless, Shaw recently said Villasenor is among the division's best. "He's definitely in line for a world title shot," Shaw said.
Lawler and Villasenor first met in 2006 at PRIDE 32. Lawler scored a quick, 22-second knockout via flying knee, and Villasenor has been anxious for the rematch ever since.
As for the undefeated Rogers, most fans were hopeful he'll get a shot at EliteXC poster boy Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson, but on Monday, the organization confirmed that Ferguson will instead fighter UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock at an October 4th CBS Saturday Night Fights event. If victorious in November, though, Rogers will likely get the next crack at Ferguson -- likely on a pay-per-view card in early 2009.
Diaz, meanwhile, was expected to fight EliteXC lightweight champion KJ Noons at the October 4th event. However after last week's events, Noons' manager, Mark Dion, has ignored EliteXC's phone calls and scoffed at the rematch with Diaz. Noons beat Diaz once before to win the EliteXC lightweight title, and Dion said a rematch does nothing to help his client. Diaz, who most recently defeated Thomas Denny at EliteXC's July event on CBS, next fights Hayato Sakurai in a welterweight title fight during DREAM.6 on September 23rd. He is riding a three-fight win streak, and he's 6-1 (with no-contest) in his past eight fights.
Finally, Cavalcante looks to push his EliteXC record to 4-0. The former IFL fighter has made quick work of his EliteXC opponents, walking through each with first-round knockouts. With a victory in November, "Feijao" will likely fight for the organization's first-ever light-heavyweight title in early 2009.
