Fight Ticker Exclusive: Baltimore's Binky Jones signs deal with EliteXC
By Pramit Mohapatra
Baltimore's rising lightweight star, James "Binky" Jones, has signed two 1-year options with EliteXC. Jones is guaranteed a minimum of three fights in the first year and EliteXC has the option to pick up the second year if they choose to. There is also a provision for a bonus built-in for Jones if he wins the title. This news reported to FightTicker.com by Jones and his manager, John Rallo.
Jones has had a phenomenal 2008 with two quick first-round submission victories this year, including one at the January ShoXC card in Atlantic City. This contract clearly puts him in the major leagues of MMA after stints in BodogFight as well as Ring of Combat.
Jones joins what is arguably EliteXC's deepest weight class which consists of the likes of KJ Noons, Nick Diaz, Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett, and Yves Edwards.
As previously reported here at FightTicker.com, Jones is in the process of looking for an opponent for EliteXC's May 31 debut on CBS. The televised portion of the card has already been announced so he would appear to be on the dark card.
(Photo of Binky Jones courtesy of Ground Control Baltimore Web site.)
not winky
not winky wright...
Underboss MMAfia
Head of the West Coast Family
ULTIMATE CHALLENGE CHAMPION UFC 83
lol. I might have to put in
lol. I might have to put in a little disclaimer in all future Binky Jones articles...
"Binky Jones is reportedly not the same person as Winky Wright -- details to follow"
lol...the inside jokes make this all worth it...
haha. i was honestly
haha. i was honestly confused.
Underboss MMAfia
Head of the West Coast Family
ULTIMATE CHALLENGE CHAMPION UFC 83
Fair enough. I know guys
Fair enough. I know guys like Binky aren't really on the national radar screen but I've been covering him since after his first round fight in the Ring of Combat tournament in 2006. His story is amazing but is actually more typical of the MMA scene than the stories of Tito Ortiz or GSP.
I think it's cool how far he's come. Can you imagine what it'll be like if he snags the EliteXC belt on a future CBS card (I'm hearing he will be in a new weight class not yet created) and you can say, "I read about him before anyone else knew who he was"?
I've had my eye on him not just because he's from Baltimore and he's a cool dude but because he's got some real skills and he's starting to look really confident in the ring. He completely destroyed his last two opponents on the ground...
i'll say, "i knew this cat
i'll say, "i knew this cat ever since my boy pramit shed light on this kid back in the old times, way back in 2008 on that site that everyone goes on for all their mma news, www.fightticker.com." and then the youngens will be like, 'what's a site?' because they will have the internet in their heads already.
Underboss MMAfia
Head of the West Coast Family
ULTIMATE CHALLENGE CHAMPION UFC 83
Are you kiding me after I
Are you kiding me after I read about him, I was like he is going to be the shit! He already has what you need to be a champ (wrestling) plus he is developing into a badarse in the "complete package.
EERS_1_Fan
Head of South East Tribe MMAFIA
MMABRAT, CaptnCrunch, and Michael are all going to start training in the devils MMA lol
Awesome! Internet in my
Awesome! Internet in my head!
Eers, you're right. I would say his only real drawback is his age (38 now I believe) but submission fighting isn't as much about age as it is about technique so if he can avoid too much damage I think he could enjoy a nice career at this level.
He's a vocational teacher in his day job, helping at-risk youth. Like Dr. Mayeda said, promotions should be pumping guys like him up. Here's my Sun story about him from waaaaaaaay baaaaaaaack in 2007:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/custom/mma/bal-mma201,0,4179313.story
LMAO hey
LMAO hey boy!
EERS_1_Fan
Head of South East Tribe MMAFIA
MMABRAT, CaptnCrunch, and Michael are all going to start training in the devils MMA lol