EliteXC to Crown First Bantamweight Champ

The first-ever EliteXC bantamweight (140 lb) champion will be crowned when promising, undefeated Brazilian Wilson Reis of Philadelphia faces streaking King of The Cage titleholder Abel "The Silent Assassin" Cullum of Tucumcari, N.M., in a solid matchup in the main event on Elite Xtreme Combat: ShoXC (26 Sep 2008), Friday, Sept. 26 at the Chumash Casino Resort at Santa Ynez, Calif.

Reis is a 23-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt stud who has been on a tear since coming to EliteXC in January 2008. Considered one of the top competitive, young grapplers in the world, Reis earned a hard-fought unanimous three-round decision over game Brian Caraway in his last start on July 26, 2008 at Elite Xtreme Combat: Unfinished Business.

The high-energy Reis moved to the United States several years ago. Initially, he worked in construction but it was always his intention to teach and train Jiu-Jitsu in the U.S.

"I'm here to fight the best and prove myself against the best,'' said Reis, who trains and instructs at two of Philadelphia's top MMA and BJJ Academies, Daddis Fight Camps and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu United.

Reis will have a size advantage, but Cullum, despite a step up in weight, will provide a formidable challenge. He is an aggressive striker, possesses a strong background in wrestling and has displayed solid submission defense, which should bode well against Reis, who has choked out three of his five foes.

Cullum has won 10 straight – all via stoppage, nine in the first round - while fighting for King of the Cage and the New Mexico - based Desert Extreme organization. The KOTC 135-pound belt-holder has not lost since December 2005. He holds titles in several organizations and is a five-time Desert Extreme bantamweight champion and two-time Southwest Fury titlist.

In his last outing, Cullum, who is also known as "Cowboy,'' captured the KOTC belt with an upset fifth-round submission over big favorite Ryan Diaz on May 17, 2008 at King Of The Cage: Reckless.

"It's been awesome and very exciting since (winning the belt),'' Cullum said "Now I have an opportunity to keep it going. I'm going to fight my heart out. I don't like decisions. I've only had one and it was the only loss in my career. I don't plan on going to a decision again.

"I want to represent myself and this sport the best as I can. I've been the underdog in most of my fights. I like that. You don't want to underestimate me.''

Also on the card, Monkhon "Malaipet" WiWasuk will fight David Douglas.

Malaipet, a Lumpinee champ in Thailand, will try and regain his winning ways after losing by first-round disqualification (illegal elbows) to Thomas "Wildman" Denny in March.

Many feel if any fighter can make the difficult transformation from world-class superstar Muay Thai kickboxer to elite status in MMA, it is Malaipet.

But so far in his brief MMA career, the popular, exciting, Malaipet has yet to prove he can do it on the ground. If he can keep it on his feet, Malaipet is extremely dangerous. Otherwise, he is susceptible.

Malaipet has a very Thai style of movement, which he exhibited in a dominant performance en route to winning his ShoXC debut on a unanimous decision over Kaleo Kwan on Oct. 26, 2007. Malaipet was calm, relaxed, punched in combination and showcased his astounding striking skills as he decimated Kwan during a three-round standup war at Chumash.

But can Malaipet learn a ground game, so he doesn't get tossed to the mat again and, possibly, get submitted? For sure, Douglas, while lacking in overall experience, will try and find out.

A member of Cesar Gracie's Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Douglas is making his ShoXC debut after winning his last two starts in a combined 1:26.