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Elite Signs Jean Silva and Che Mills
Silva is no joke and Che is explosive, adds depth to their best division. Good pick up IMO.
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EliteXC Signs Jean Silva and Che Mills
Friday, November 30, 2007
by Danny Acosta (dacosta@sherdog.com)
LONDON, Nov. 30 -- At Cage Rage 23, Jean Silva (Pictures) and Che Mills (Pictures) made new fans: Gary and Jared Shaw.
The president and vice president of EliteXC were in attendance at the Wembley Arena when Silva and Mills stopped their opponents. The performances earned each fighter a four-bout deal, which Cage Rage promoters Andy Greer and Dave O'Donnell announced Friday at the weigh-ins for Cage Rage 24.
Silva, who pounded out Chris Brennan (Chris Brennan' class='LinkSilver'>Pictures) in the second round of his last outing, is aiming to make a splash under his new promotion.
"For me, I look to fight the best in EliteXC," Silva said. "Nick Diaz (Pictures), ‘Krazy Horse,' they're the best, and that's what I look for."
Silva also expressed his desire to rise in the ranks with both his fighting and personality. He hopes wins and marketability will help him meet his goal "to stay on top of the EliteXC."
The former Chute Boxe fighter, who has found his home with London Shootfighers, believes the signing is a wise decision in his career, which pre-dates Cage Rage's existence.
"EliteXC is a big company. They're about the fighters," he said.
But the "White Bear" has no intention of forgetting the organization that promoted him in 12 appearances, including the headlining spot on Cage Rage 1.
"Cage Rage is the place where I was born," Silva said. "I love fighting here in the U.K. Cage Rage, this is my home."
The veteran lightweight does, however, look forward to fighting in the United States.
Mills, 5-1, echoed similar sentiments: "I've always wanted to fight in the United States, even when I was a little kid. I wanted to be a WWF wrestler."
The Range Fighting Systems representative has sped through his fighting career. From Cage Rage Contenders to Cage Rage to EliteXC, he sees the signing as something larger than himself.
"I think it's good for other British guys as well," Mills said. "It shows they can always get to the top with EliteXC. Just keep doing what they're doing, and hopefully they can get the same contract I got or even better."
Going across the pond is just one of Mills' major steps. He is going from an untelevised opening bout at Cage Rage 23, where he submitted Ross Mason (Pictures) in the first round, to potential stardom with the fledgling promotion.
"I think I'm a natural entertainer anyways," said Mills, who just picked up his first sponsor, Evolution Fightwear. "I'll fight anyone."
Both fighters are awaiting opponents with their new organization and agreed the opportunity would not have come without fan support.
Next up for Silva is a return to Brazil to finalize his American passport.
For Mills, the next step is to realize he is fighting for EliteXC: "It's still all sinking in really."
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