If you have watched a lot of Kimbo Slice underground fights, you know how far he has came. I’m glad he gave up street fighting to become a professional mix material arts fighter.
He paid his dues and now their paying off in the lime life.
Kimbo has gained a lot more fame and wealth but one thing hasn’t changed. Kimbo Slice and his ability to send his opponents to the pavement or make them quit. Kimbo has officially made it to the top and I’m glad to see him there.
The sport will now rise and fall with him. He is the face for his sport thus making him a superstar like Tiger Woods and Lebron James. I don’t know how long it will last but he now seems to be everybody’s favorite fighter. I predict him taking down his next opponent who ever it may be quickly!b
Fightline.com is reporting that, according to EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw, Kimbo Slice will face Brett Rogers in a heavyweight grudge match in October.
While it’s uncertain if the fight will take place on a CBS-televised card and none of the details surrounding the bout are in place, Shaw appears to be confident that the fight is on.
Rogers essentially asked for this fight by bad-mouthing Slice’s performance in the May 31 “EliteXC Primetime” post-fight press conference. Rogers’ words offended Slice and both fighters’ posses got involved as well.
The report also states that a match between 160-pound champ KJ Noons and rival Nick Diaz would probably take place on that October card. The two men have been jawing at each other since Diaz lost to Noons in a controversial stoppage last year. They had their own confrontation at EliteXC’s last event in Hawaii on June 14, in which both Diaz and Noons fought in separate bouts and won.
Shaw told Sam Caplan that a piece on FightLine.com stating that a bout between Kimbo Slice and Brett Rogers would take place in October was erroneous. Apparently mis-quoted in that piece, Shaw now says, “a fight could possibly take place between Kimbo and Rogers within the next 12 months,” according to Caplan.
At least one of Leonard Davis’ teammates noticed that he looks a lot like MMA monster Kimbo Slice. DeMarcus Ware cut out Slice’s ESPN The Magazine cover and taped it to Bigg’s locker.
The obvious question: Could the 6-6, 360-pound Davis whup Slice?
“Nah,” Bigg said. “He’s a better fighter than me. If it was dirty, I’d probably have a chance. If it was playing by the rules, he’d probably get me.”
Davis noted with a sly grin that, as an NFL offensive lineman, he was pretty good at winning battles while not necessarily following the rules.
It’s inevitable. The Mixed Martial Arts craze will put Mike Tyson back in the ring against the guy who couldn’t make the cut while trying out for the Miami Dolphins — Kimbo Slice.
Between legal bills and the financial drain from being a longtime Don King client, Tyson needs the cash. Kimbo is creating substantial Internet buzz, and discussed a Tyson matchup during a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel that you can connect to by clicking here.
We’re not sure whether Tyson knows how to kick in between jabs and hooks, but here’s the bigger question — where does MMA stand on the issue of ear-biting?
Eric “Butterbean” Esch - Esch has been fighting in various MMA organizations and would seem to be a logical opponent for Slice. Butterbean, the former Toughman champion, has lost his last three MMA fights by submission. This would be a slug fest. I would say that Butterbean is probably on Gary Shaw’s radar. If Shaw picked Butterbean to fight Slice, it would drum up a lot of negative criticism.
Brett “The Grim” Rogers - Also fights in Elite XC. Says he would knock out Kimbo in the first round. Trust me, I am not doubting him. I feel this matchup will eventually happen within the next year.
Wesley “Cabbage” Correira - A match up with Cabbage sounds pretty logical when you look at the track record of the journeyman MMA fighter. Cabbage is 2-5 in his last 7 fights. He fought in Elite XC before losing to “Bigfoot” Silva. This is a very probable matchup when you look at all the factors.
Ron Waterman - Another journeyman in the MMA world. Waterman is slated to fight on the June 14th Elite XC card. The fact that Waterman has excellent wrestling skills make him a difficult matchup for Slice.
Ricco Rodriguez - The list of journeyman heavyweights continues. Rodriguez is a former UFC champions that has fallen on hard times. He has lost his last two fights. What makes this matchup a possibility is the fact that Rodriguez has struggled recently and his ties to Elite XC.
Mark Kerr - a once promising MMA fighter who burst into the MMA world in the Vale Tudo Championship and Pride in the late 90’s. Kerr has suffered some setbacks the last 6-8 years.
Oleg Taktarov - Taktarov fought in the early UFC, seemingly took a 10 year hiatus from MMA and has recently been making a comeback. Taktarov has won his last two fights since returning to MMA in November with BoDog. He defeated Mark Kerr is last fight in YAMMA pitfighting ( I have never heard of this organization).
Gary Goodridge - A strong striker with a weak chin. Goodridge has been around MMA for a long time. This would be an intriguing matchup and Goodridge does not seem to have permanent ties with any organization. Slice would definitely have a great chance to KO Goodridge.
Roy Nelson (IFL) - Nelson proclaimed at the IFL press conference at the Mohegan Sun Arena two weeks ago that he has an open contract. Nelson is the current heavyweight champion in the IFL. Although he has an open contract, I do not think Gary Shaw would put Kimbo against Nelson at this point in Kimbo’s MMA career. There are rumors circulating about a potential matchup between Slice and Nelson (http://www.cagetoday.com/kimbo-slice-vs-roy-nelson-a-real-possibility/)
“Mighty” Mo Siligia - “Mighty” Mo is a heavy handed K-1 fighter with some MMA experience (he has a 3-0 MMA record). Mo has a very strong chin and probably is equally as powerful as Kimbo. This would be a great fight; I would give the edge to Mighty Mo. The problem is Mighty Mo is on a five-fight losing streak in K-1. This match up probably wont happen, but it is one I would like to see.
Mark Hunt - Could Mark Hunt with stand the power of Kimbo? My answer is yes. Where the heck has Mark Hunt been since Pride was bought by the UFC? He lost on April 13th to Semmy Schilt in a K-1 match.
Mirko Cro Cop - Cro Cop is currently fighting in Japan and I believe he is recovering from surgery. It would be nice to see Cro Cop knock out Slice with a high leg kick. This matchup is very unlikely,though.
Finally we got to go BIG and face serious competition in Elite XC in Texas. The main event on that show was Kimbo Slice vs Bo Cantrall. Bo is a sub .500 fighter who was on a 4 fight losing streak when he got the call to come to Elite. On that show Brett faced Ralph Kelly who a decent up and comer with a good amateur record. Brett had a tougher opponent but got less money and a on the Under Card.
Next stop Miami where Kimbo is again the main event and blown up huge. His opponent; the venerable Tank Abbot. I believe the last time Tank won a democrat was in the White House and gas was $1.50 a gallon. Brett took on Pride veteran James Thompson for way less money and way down on the card. Brett puts him away in the 1st half of the 1st round.
CBS show. Kimbo gets the same James Thompson Brett had just KO’d. James coming in losing 3 of his last 4 and his last two straight by KO. Brett gets the opening spot against Jon Murphy. Murphy a 9-2 fighter with great Jujitsu who had impressively KO’d Dave Huckabee. Again the tougher fight for less money. 3 times running – tougher guys for less money. Not a great pattern!
And more:
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This letter would not be complete without mentioning the other forgotten man in all this, Antonio “Big Foot” Silva. Antonio is a certified, absolute all around warrior. He is one of the very best heavyweight fighters in the world. We have a world of respect for Antonio and ATT and would consider it a tremendous honor to compete with him. If it was a fight for the title; if was billed as the fight between the two best fighters in Elite; we would be overjoyed. However it does not seem right that Brett and Antonio should be fighting just to see who gets to be the number 2 man behind Kimbo.
I’m willing to bet that Antonio feels the same way. As true warriors we want to fight the best and right now everything; judging by the money, the publicity and the billboards; that is Kimbo. Has Kimbo earned that spot? We are not convinced. So we are calling Kimbo out. If this is a challenge he does not feel ready to accept; that is cool. That we can understand. But it is somewhat unreasonable to ask everyone to play second fiddle – to fight tougher opponents for less money while another fighter makes bank on the also rans. Brett has fought three very tough heavy weights with legitimate skills. The result in every one of those fights was a first round KO. No decisions, no controversy just straight up cart them off wins. Yet every interview and every place he goes he hears Kimbo this, Kimbo that. Hell, if we were not asking to fight Kimbo, Gary would be ashamed of us and would be wondering what type of wimps he had fighting for him. If Kimbo is the badest man on the planet; then lets do this thing. All due respect…step up or step aside.
DRAMA!!! Stay Tuned Folks.
Saturday night, Mixed Martial Arts made its primetime network television debut at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. And a memorable debut it was.
The main event pitted undefeated Kimbo Slice against James “The Colossus” Thomson. Slice, a former high school football player and porn company bodyguard, came into the fight undefeated at 2-0. Thompson was 16-8 prior to Saturday night’s action.
Slice, whose real name is Kevin Ferguson, is built like a rock, and his powerful hits have made him a YouTube sensation. After defeating former heavyweight boxer and Olympic gold medalist Ray Mercer and gracing the cover of ESPN the Magazine, the hunger for more Kimbo Slice among MMA fans and sports enthusiasts has grown. He displayed his incredible strength Saturday night.
The three-round bout ended in a TKO victory for “the man they call Kimbo,” as announcer Gus Johnson called the fighter. The scene was at times hard to watch, as Kimbo inflicted significant damage on Thompson.
After a powerful choke hold by Slice in the first round, Thompson came away with a cauliflowered ear that swelled up to the size of a golf ball. Still, he lasted two more rounds of Kimbo’s forceful hits before the fight was stopped.
Slice’s perfect record was never in jeopardy. In the second round, Slice landed a serious of vicious blows to Thompson’s face and ear that left him bloodied. Thompson somehow managed to bring Slice to the ground after the beating, where he kept him for the final two minutes of the round. Fatigue and artful blocking by Kimbo prevented Thompson from doing much damage to the eventual winner, however.
Only 30 seconds into the third and final round, Kimbo delivered a ferocious combo that burst Thompson’s swollen ear. Clearly dazed, Thompson took a few more shots to the head before the referee stepped in to end the fight.
Slice immediately collapsed onto his back with his arms above his head in relief and triumph.
Afterward, Kimbo appeared humble and content, complimenting the referee and his opponent.
When asked about the decision to end the fight, Slice expressed his approval. He said he would have just continued to punish that ear.
Throughout the fight, the aggressive style of gold-toothed brawler brought the crowd to its feet. His post-fight interview cast him in a positive light. For a sport just bursting onto the scene, a must-see star is just what the doctor ordered.
Kimbo Slice punched his way to victory in his primetime debut. Those powerful fists might have just broken down the wall separating MMA from the mainstream sports world in the process.
