Late last week EliteXC announced that Miami street brawler-turned mixed martial artist, Kimbo Slice, will take on ancient UFC veteran Tank Abbott during the main event of its next major show on Saturday, February 16 at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami.
The heavyweight collision, which was supposed to go down last year under the Cage Fury Fighting Championships banner until the event fell apart, will be featured on the premium cable channel Showtime at 10 p.m. ET.
Slice — whose birth name is Kevin Ferguson — stopped Bo Cantrell in his professional MMA debut with EliteXC via phantom strikes after just 19 seconds back in November. Abbott has one win in eight attempts since 1998 (Cabbage Correira), being stopped early in each of those losing contests.
On the undercard, popular (and photogenic) female fighter Gina Carano will return to action, as well as heavyweights Antonio “Big Foot” Silva and James “The Colossus” Thompson (in separate bouts). In addition, UFC veteran Scott Smith and Kyle Noke will clash in a middleweight showdown.
Stay tuned for more updates. In the meantime, check out this video of Slice on Abbott, Cantrell and more:
53 Comments »
Kimbo is a funny dude..very marketable in mma..is a scary looking fighter..critics will say he hasn’t paid his dues to be getting the press he gets. I think MMA fans will like tho see this match up..but Tank is like 50 something I think or just looks 50ish..EliteXc is riding the Kimbo train to the MMA time square..I would like to see him fight a seasoned MMA vet..not Ray Mercer boxer class of 1998..and Tank who is a turtle on his back.
Night night Tank
This is a joke. Kimbo had one fight against a guy who took a dive as soon as Kimbo started to throw punches, and now he’s fighting a fat slob who was washed up 10 years ago.
[quote comment="258128"]This is a joke. Kimbo had one fight against a guy who took a dive as soon as Kimbo started to throw punches, and now he’s fighting a fat slob who was washed up 10 years ago.[/quote]
Who do you suppose he fight? Fedor? Randy?
Newsflash, inexperienced fighters are supposed to fight other noobs or washed up fighters to start their career.
tanks only chance to win is in the first minute of the first round… he will gas out
Tank is a has been. All he is is an old Kimbo Slice. Beard and all. Kimbo should maul him.
[quote comment="258132"][quote comment="258128"]This is a joke. Kimbo had one fight against a guy who took a dive as soon as Kimbo started to throw punches, and now he’s fighting a fat slob who was washed up 10 years ago.[/quote]
Who do you suppose he fight? Fedor? Randy?
Newsflash, inexperienced fighters are supposed to fight other noobs or washed up fighters to start their career.[/quote]
I disagree. Inexperienced fighters like ‘Brock Larson’ are supposed to fight guys like ‘Frank Mir’. Kimbo’s story with EliteXC is all spectacle and no sport. He’s training with Bas Rutten for God’s sake, and he’s just beating up on losers. Tank is no MMA fighter, and he gets beat down soon after his fights begin. So I don’t see how another short fight sets kimbo on the road to respect. This should happen in my backyard. Or yours.
I meant ‘Lesnar’ of course
[quote comment="258132"][quote comment="258128"]This is a joke. Kimbo had one fight against a guy who took a dive as soon as Kimbo started to throw punches, and now he’s fighting a fat slob who was washed up 10 years ago.[/quote]
Who do you suppose he fight? Fedor? Randy?
Newsflash, inexperienced fighters are supposed to fight other noobs or washed up fighters to start their career.[/quote]
There is a pretty wide gulf between elite HWs like Fedor and Randy and the dregs that Kimbo has been scheduling. This is nothing more than a gimmicky sideshow along the lines of Fedor vs. the 7-foot Korean guy or Chris Griffin wrestling an imaginary bear.
Looks like tank needs another payday. That glove that Bas had. What that what Kimbo was gonna fight with? Looks like it didn’t have much finger mobility.
HERES THE TRUTH IF KIMBO WANTS RESPECT AS A FIGHTER HE HAS TO COME TO UFC….MY GOD TANK ABBOTT IS THAT A JOKE
How funny would it be if Tank Abbott knocks Kimbo the F out. I would be laughing, but on a sad note, Gary Shaw would probably hang himself.
Tank abbott by tko 1st round.
I hope tank wins this – teach Kimbo for fighting an old man. Kimbo wont prove anything by beating tank – but has a shit load to lose!
EliteXC is in danger of becoming the next XFL. They need to schedule good fights to their marketable fighters (i.e. – Kimbo Slice, Gina, Antonio Silva). As John had pointed out in a previous post, look who BJ Penn fought when he started in the UFC. Come on! (Puddy style)
Tank Abbott in a main event is a joke! A few hours before his fight with Gary Turner at cage rage he was in the pub drinking beer. That image is just bad for the sport, makes MMA seem like drunken street brawling rather than the highly athletic sport it is. Not even good entertainmentxwhen he gets in the cage.
MMA promotions around the world: Please stop booking Tank Abbott for your main event, or at all for that matter.
I do however think kimbo has the potential to be pretty succesfull, and would love to see him in the UFC. Only after he fights some credible opposition first though.
If this fight goes longer than 45 seconds, it is going to be ugly to watch. It will be like watching a slow motion boxing match. Kimbo has great charisma. but can he last longer than Tank…..duhhh.
tank was kimbo. before kimbo was kimbo..
42 year old Tank vs Kimbo, haha
[quote comment="258132"]
Newsflash, inexperienced fighters are supposed to fight other noobs or washed up fighters to start their career.[/quote]
Tell that to the UFC and Brock Lesnar.
I couldn’t care less what EliteXC does with Kimbo. Although he could become a serious HW contender if he ever starts fighting quality opponents. This is just a really pathetic main event IMO.
[quote comment="258132"][quote comment="258128"]This is a joke. Kimbo had one fight against a guy who took a dive as soon as Kimbo started to throw punches, and now he’s fighting a fat slob who was washed up 10 years ago.[/quote]
Who do you suppose he fight? Fedor? Randy?
Newsflash, inexperienced fighters are supposed to fight other noobs or washed up fighters to start their career.[/quote]
Kimbos had a fight before the cantrell fight against Ray mercer .Not saying its a huge accomplishment but still his third fight at heavyweight
and btw if you actually watch the fight cantrell kind of ducked a punch where he thought it was going to be and did get caught with a punch.
[quote comment="258316"]Tank Abbott in a main event is a joke! A few hours before his fight with Gary Turner at cage rage he was in the pub drinking beer. That image is just bad for the sport, makes MMA seem like drunken street brawling rather than the highly athletic sport it is. Not even good entertainmentxwhen he gets in the cage.
MMA promotions around the world: Please stop booking Tank Abbott for your main event, or at all for that matter.
I do however think kimbo has the potential to be pretty succesfull, and would love to see him in the UFC. Only after he fights some credible opposition first though.[/quote]
You gotta remember cage rage on the international level has talent but does a lot of things wrong..no standardized blood testing..or theu didnt until they got bought out
[quote comment="258158"][quote comment="258132"][quote comment="258128"]This is a joke. Kimbo had one fight against a guy who took a dive as soon as Kimbo started to throw punches, and now he’s fighting a fat slob who was washed up 10 years ago.[/quote]
Who do you suppose he fight? Fedor? Randy?
Newsflash, inexperienced fighters are supposed to fight other noobs or washed up fighters to start their career.[/quote]
I disagree. Inexperienced fighters like ‘Brock Larson’ are supposed to fight guys like ‘Frank Mir’. Kimbo’s story with EliteXC is all spectacle and no sport. He’s training with Bas Rutten for God’s sake, and he’s just beating up on losers. Tank is no MMA fighter, and he gets beat down soon after his fights begin. So I don’t see how another short fight sets kimbo on the road to respect. This should happen in my backyard. Or yours.[/quote]
Hes not doing this for your respect or anyones.Hes doing to start his career get used to the crowds…and btw rutten is one of the best mma trainers out there
Kimbos tough and all but don’t ya think hes kind of a smuck
Why is everyone concerned with the Kimbo/Tank bout? Kimbo will KO him because Tank is washed up and it will prove nothing.
But Gina Carano is on the card!!! I’d watch her knit a sweater while listening to a Lilith Fair CD and watching Desperate Housewives.
solid card. and Kimbo looks beastly in that vid.
[quote comment="258389"][quote comment="258158"][quote comment="258132"][quote comment="258128"]This is a joke. Kimbo had one fight against a guy who took a dive as soon as Kimbo started to throw punches, and now he’s fighting a fat slob who was washed up 10 years ago.[/quote]
Who do you suppose he fight? Fedor? Randy?
Newsflash, inexperienced fighters are supposed to fight other noobs or washed up fighters to start their career.[/quote]
I disagree. Inexperienced fighters like ‘Brock Lesnar’ are supposed to fight guys like ‘Frank Mir’. Kimbo’s story with EliteXC is all spectacle and no sport. He’s training with Bas Rutten for God’s sake, and he’s just beating up on losers. Tank is no MMA fighter, and he gets beat down soon after his fights begin. So I don’t see how another short fight sets kimbo on the road to respect. This should happen in my backyard. Or yours.[/quote]
Hes not doing this for your respect or anyones.Hes doing to start his career get used to the crowds…and btw rutten is one of the best mma trainers out there[/quote]
No, I think if you asked Kimbo, he is definitely interested in respect for all the hard work he’s put into MMA. And fighting absolute cans gives him no opportunity to use any newfound skill he may have.
And you’re right, Rutten is a great trainer. And this Main Event spectacle won’t be worth watching.
[quote comment="258459"][quote comment="258389"][quote comment="258158"][quote comment="258132"][quote comment="258128"]This is a joke. Kimbo had one fight against a guy who took a dive as soon as Kimbo started to throw punches, and now he’s fighting a fat slob who was washed up 10 years ago.[/quote]
Who do you suppose he fight? Fedor? Randy?
Newsflash, inexperienced fighters are supposed to fight other noobs or washed up fighters to start their career.[/quote]
I disagree. Inexperienced fighters like ‘Brock Lesnar’ are supposed to fight guys like ‘Frank Mir’. Kimbo’s story with EliteXC is all spectacle and no sport. He’s training with Bas Rutten for God’s sake, and he’s just beating up on losers. Tank is no MMA fighter, and he gets beat down soon after his fights begin. So I don’t see how another short fight sets kimbo on the road to respect. This should happen in my backyard. Or yours.[/quote]
Hes not doing this for your respect or anyones.Hes doing to start his career get used to the crowds…and btw rutten is one of the best mma trainers out there[/quote]
No, I think if you asked Kimbo, he is definitely interested in respect for all the hard work he’s put into MMA. And fighting absolute cans gives him no opportunity to use any newfound skill he may have.
And you’re right, Rutten is a great trainer. And this Main Event spectacle won’t be worth watching.[/quote]
Let me rephrase this he does for the respect within the fight community not the internet warriors.And abbot has a punchers chance im not saying he has the likelyhood of winning on his side but still and the fact is kimbo is building himself up…thats all third fight why not against abbot…you try new things out on lesser opponents then work your way up.You dont try to outwrestle coleman(in his prime) or couture you try to use the game your better at than them..this is his starting point.
I think he should fight Antonio Silva and then we’ll know what kind of MMA fighter we have here.
I feel like this fight will be avoided at any cost by elite xc cause it would end in the first rd but with Silva being the winner.
kimbo tko 1 min. tanks just tryin to make a buck
as always, if by some chance Tank wins do you think all the people who have nothing to post other than “tank sucks” “tank is old” “tank is a loser” will be the first ones posting how much they love tank or how great he is, remember when Chuck lost a couple of fights, you had a hard time finding a post where someone had something good to say about him he beat Wandy now you have a hard time finding something negative! if you post, post something other than so in so is great or so in so sucks, there is allot of great posters on this site with allot of substance in what they are posting but there are just as many who really post nothing
Come on guys – Tank has world class cardio!
When the rounds are 15 seconds each, with 5 minutes in between – he certainly has the stamina to go the distance
phatmac
Jan 7th, 2008 at 10:39 am Quote this comment
HERES THE TRUTH IF KIMBO WANTS RESPECT AS A FIGHTER HE HAS TO COME TO UFC….MY GOD TANK ABBOTT IS THAT A JOKE…..
totally agree with you the UFC shoudl grab KIMBO SLICE right away i think he would hold the belt. check out his stand up in the streets, hes got some power and wicked head movement
I like Kimbo. He’s charismatic and interesting, and people feel they know him because of all his videos. He’s very marketable, and so is tank abbott, even though he has lost 8 of his last 9 by early stoppage. I think it’s fine to let them fight, an early starter and a has been veteran, it equals out…Kimbo is a baby in the sport, let him get his feet underneath him before we judge how great he is or how much he sucks. And tank always has a chance. Besides, he gets props from me for being one of those pioneers who were fighting when you didn’t get a payday but a jail cell for the night. Let him make all the money he wants. Power to him.
[quote comment="258680"]I like Kimbo. He’s charismatic and interesting, and people feel they know him because of all his videos. He’s very marketable, and so is tank abbott, even though he has lost 8 of his last 9 by early stoppage. I think it’s fine to let them fight, an early starter and a has been veteran, it equals out…Kimbo is a baby in the sport, let him get his feet underneath him before we judge how great he is or how much he sucks. And tank always has a chance. Besides, he gets props from me for being one of those pioneers who were fighting when you didn’t get a payday but a jail cell for the night. Let him make all the money he wants. Power to him.[/quote]
man you are totally on it.perfectly said.i like both fighters.tank gave us some of the most wicked fights in early ufc.tank also has done something Arlovski and Big Tim could’nt do.tank ko-ed cabbage! i know mma fighters have evolved and all that but say what you will.Kimbo and tank are ko artist.i look forward to Feb. 16.i love a good dragged out beat down slugfest.
Kimbo for Vice President. Real Talk.
I couldn’t agree more with Samson. I like Kimbo, and I don’t think Bas would be wasting his time if he didn’t see something there. Tank’s preparation is always questionable, but at least he comes to fight. I can’t hate on him for catching a payday, and it should be entertaining while it lasts.
I don’t know what to make of kimbo. I’ll reserve my judgement for now. Don’t think he’ll ever do anything great in the sport though. Still he could be entertaining and he seems like quite a personality. Can’t believe he lost to Sean Gannon though in that street fight.
this is funny a long time ago i saw a backyard fight on the internet with kimbo who i didnt no was kimbo at the time and then i hear this guy is fighting tank and they said that they both had alot of street fights and i remember the backyard one and the resemblence and the showed that clip of the fight and i about craped my pants. anyway tank is a has been and i cant believe he fighting again and damaging what little legice he hand. Even though i would like to see tank win think kimbo slice is going to knock him out cold……..unfortunetly.
has anyone ever really tested kimbos jaw( i kno the gannon fight, but he dosent have tanks knock out power)?? power of tank, man benched 500 pounds, has sum serious heavy hands, i can c kimbo goin to the ground like the mercer fight to submit him, cos 1 punch from tank could mean nite nite for kimbos career, which i really dont want to c, the man has come far, may not have paid all his dues in da cage, but has done in life, and is taking this sport very seriously!
His chin mite have taken a beatting from all those street fights kimbo has been in, but when was the last time we’ve seen tank KO a quality opponent the guys 42,i have no idea how old kimbo is but the guy looks like a gaint and hes quick. I still say kimbo KO 1 round!
The problem with the Gannon fight was that Kimbo thought it would be a standard stand up street fight. Gannon wanted to grapple and that confused things. I don’t see any reason that Kimbo can’t to great things. I want him and Diaz in the Ufc tho.
Don’t make me come over there.
[quote comment="258890"]His chin mite have taken a beatting from all those street fights kimbo has been in, but when was the last time we’ve seen tank KO a quality opponent the guys 42,i have no idea how old kimbo is but the guy looks like a gaint and hes quick. I still say kimbo KO 1 round![/quote]
Tank doesn’t even train anymore, but he did have a KO of Cabbage. That was pretty impressive considering his age.
Does anyone know if Kimbo is the guy that was in some of those wicked youtube fights awhile back?
Kimbo is a guy with natural fighting talent, a steel jaw and trains hard to learn.
Sure it’s a spectacle right now, but he hasn’t been training 2 yrs in MMA and doesn’t come with any other background than some boxing (probably) and street fighting.
KIMBO is coming up right for the organization he’s fighting for and for himself, building some serious publicity in the meantime, kinda’ like a car wreck.. just gotta look right?.. Kimbo should smash a few big names to bring in the $$$ draw while he’s still learning.
Kimbo within the next 2 years will fight somebody with real fighting ability, and I suspect he’ll confirm what some of us already know… he’s a real fuckin’ tough MMA fighter.
[quote comment="258954"]Does anyone know if Kimbo is the guy that was in some of those wicked youtube fights awhile back?[/quote]
You mean this guy? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPPj6viIBmU
Naw, I don’t think it was Kimbo.
Kimbo is the only one with something to loose. If he wins, ahh he beat an age old has been or never was with a solid punch. If he looses he lost to a has been and more then likely he will never be the never was. Sleeping on Tank could get him knocked out. Kimbo’s start was already questionable enough. Has anyone else in MMA ever won a fight from a glancing shoulder punch that sent his or her opponnent flying to the matt while tapping in the air? Te sad part is the guy was calling hismsef a US Marine.
Kimbo reminds me of Homer Simpson, in the episode where he turns into a boxer cause he can take a punch…. The dude can take some abuse, and dish it out in kind, but if he fights someone that doesn’t gas out in the first 15 sec of a match, he will be in for a shock….. I like the dude, & I hope he thrives in the MMA world.
Kimbo slice is a big guy. He can take a punch from backyard brawlers but can he take a highly trained athletes punch ?
I’m not quite sure. I really hope that he will do good in his mma career but he has to prove that not only can he deliver a good punch but he can take one as well. Tank is old but he can deliver a hell of a show with his fighting style. One thing is sure they will fight it standing up. I hope it won’t go to the ground.
I am STILL waiting for Wildman’s next narcissistic message. Has anyone seen it? Sorry, but that s**t was too funny!
[quote comment="278987"]I am STILL waiting for Wildman’s next narcissistic message. Has anyone seen it? Sorry, but that s**t was too funny![/quote]
Ha Ha that wildman is a retard
One of his narcissistic comments
“Look, I am just being honest. Is that ok? I demand respect. Always have. Ever since I was a kid I have always been able to easily defeat anyone who tries to take me out. I once was in Wrens, GA at a Jet Convenience Store and soem idiot got in my face and started talking about the “Jefferson County Warriors were gonna win the State Title in football.” Guy would not shut up. In front of everyone I told him to 1) Watch his breath in my face as it was kickin’ and 2) I would submit and make him pass out if he did not shut up. To make a long story short the guu would not shut up and choked him out IN FRONT OF EVERYONE in the store. Clerk started screaming and folks scattered. Guy was laid out. Unconscious.
That is just one example. I lift weights. Have 16 inch guns. Bench 320 pounds. When you have 16 inch guns and bench 320 not too many people even TRY to mess with you.
Yea, I demand respect wherever I go. Concession stand lines, bathroom lines, etc., etc. I honestly do demand respect and Tank and Kimbo clown pose no threat to me at all. Say what you want but it is the truth. I demand respect.
”
HA HA NUTJOB
Kimbo slice is a animal in the street brawl. Its just a question wether he can hang w the more quality mixed martial art experienced fighters.. I can 100% guarantee that Kimbo Slice is going to slaughter, again “slaughter” Tank Abbott. The question is just how much time in the 1st round its going to take. Tank Abbott is completely out of shape, out of age. Also even if he does train hard, its not going to balance out to the amount of stamina/power that kimbo is going to bring to this fight. its going to be a blood bath ladies & gentlemen. Even though I would love to see Kimbo hit the UFC. I think thats when he will start playing with the big boys & start putting in some real losses.
GO TANK!!!! U GUYS WILL SEE, TANK WILL PUT KIMBO ON D FLOOR AND POUND HIS TUCHAS!