The email also officially confirmed that ProElite, Inc., the parent company of EliteXC, ceased operations on Tuesday.

MMAFrenzy.com was forwarded a copy of the email for publication.

The decision to close was first made public on Monday evening when MMAFrenzy.com learned from sources that fighters and employees were informed earlier in the day that the company would be shutting down.

The full-text of the email is below:

Keith,

I just left you a voicemail with the unfortunate confirmation that the November 8, 2008 EliteXC event will be cancelled. It is with great regret that I must also inform you that ProElite, Inc. will be closing our operation today. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Best,

JT

J.T. Steele
EliteXC Live

(Photo courtesy of Esther Lin/AllElbows.com)

MMAFrenzy.com has learned that the struggling company, which aired its third live event on CBS just weeks ago to solid ratings, will cease operations on Friday, informing employees and fighters of the decision earlier today.

At this time no official announcement has been made. MMAFrenzy.com sent a request for comment to ProElite, but the company declined to comment on the development.

The company also owns stakes in a number of smaller promotions including King of the Cage, Icon Sport, and Cage Rage and also maintains relationships with DREAM and Strikeforce among others.

A planned November 8th event in Reno, Nevada featuring Nick Diaz vs. Eddie Alvarez for the promotion’s vacant lightweight title has been canceled as part of the company’s decision to go out of business after losing nearly $60 million over its two year existence.

Rogers, who was on the short list of future opponents for Kimbo Slice prior to his 14-second loss to Seth Petruzelli earlier this month, holds an undefeated 7-0 record, including a 3-0 mark in EliteXC. He has yet to have a fight leave the first round, stopping all seven of his opponents with strikes in the opening frame. After knocking off Ralph Kelly and James Thompson in his first two EliteXC appearances, Rogers TKO’d Jon Murphy in the first round in his most recent bout at EliteXC “Primetime” in May.

Buentello, a UFC veteran, won four-straights bouts, including his final UFC victory over Gilbert Aldana, before losing to Alistair Overeem at a Noveber Strikeforce event. He bounced back at Affliction “Banned” in July, defeating Gary Goodridge via unanimous decision.

The matchup joins Robbie Lawler (c) vs. Joe Villasenor for the EliteXC middleweight title, Eddie Alvarez vs. Nick Diaz for the vacant EliteXC lightweight title, Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante vs. TBD, Hector Lombard vs. Scott Smith, and Kaitlin Young vs. Sarah Kaufman on the “A Night of Champions” lineup.

For the latest EliteXC rumors check out the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.

A native of Cuba, Lombard will be making his US debut in the November matchup. Lombard, the reigning CFC middleweight champion, is undefeated in his last 11-bouts, including his most recent win over Brian Ebersole via fourth-round TKO in September.

After their first meeting was declared a no contest due to an accidental eye poke, Smith lost his first bout in over a year when he was defeated by EliteXC middleweight champ Robbie Lawler at EliteXC “Unfinished Business” in July.

A 140-pound female bout between Kaitlin Young (4-0) and Sarah Kaufman (7-0) has also been added to the November 8th EliteXC lineup.

Fighting out of the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy, Young began her career less than one year ago with four-straight victories but has since dropped back-to-back bouts, including a May loss to Gina Carano via second-round TKO.

Kaufman, a Hardcore Championship Fighting, TKO, and King of the Cage veteran, is one of female MMA’s top up-and-comers, compiling an undefeated 7-0 record over the last two years.

“A Night of Champions” is headlined by dual title bouts as EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler rematches with challenger Joey Villasenor and Nick Diaz and Eddie Alvarez clash for the vacant EliteXC lightweight title.

For more EliteXC rumors check out the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.

The long-rumored matchup was announced during Friday’s Showtime broadcast of ShoXC “Reis vs. Cullum”, though a location for the event has not yet been announced.

Lawler, a UFC and PRIDE veteran, won the EliteXC title with a third-round technical knockout of Murilo “Ninja” Rua last September. After retaining the title by way of a no contest in his first bout with Scott Smith, Lawler successfully defended the title with a second-round TKO of Smith in July.

Following a 22-second knockout loss to Lawler at PRIDE 32, Villasenor has won four of his last five fights, losing only to former middleweight champion Rua over the span while earning victories over David Loiseau, Riki Fukuda, Ryan Jensen, and most-recently Phil Baroni.

The November 8th event is also slated to include Nick Diaz, Brett Rogers, and Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante against opponents to-be-determined.

For the latest on upcoming EliteXC events check out the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.

No location or venue have yet been announced for the event, which will air live on Showtime.

MMA Junkie reported the additions to the lineup on Tuesday.

Villasenor may take on EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler in the main event of the card while opponents have not yet been determined for Rogers, Diaz, and Feijao, all of whom are positioned near the top of their respective divisions.

For more on upcoming MMA events check out the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.