I honestly had no idea what to expect on my drive over to the Kimbo Slice open workout today prior to his bout this weekend with MMA veteran, Tank Abbott, at “Street Certified.”
Kimbo was scheduled to arrive at 2:30 p.m. ET so I got there an hour early just in case there was a crowd I’d have to fight my way through. This is his hometown afterall.
To my surprise I walked into the gym and was the first one there except for the dj. Yeah, that’s right … the dj who was setting up his equipment.
The gym reminded me of the place Apollo took Rocky in Rocky III to get the “eye of the tiger” back. Kind of a rundown basement-type gym with just the meat and potatoes-type equipment (a cage and heavy bag).
The walls were all black. It was cold. A perfect place for a fighter to train with no distractions (dj excluded).
I studied the place over pretty good, inspecting the cage, reading the “teamwork” posters scattered on the wall and even hit the heavy bag a few times.
By that time, the dj had his music blaring pretty good and sporadic people came in and out setting up camera equipment and lighting. I found a seat on some nearby extra mats and waited for the crowd.
At around 2:15 Gary Shaw walks in blabbering away into his cell phone about who knows what. This guy is straight out of a Martin Scorsese movie. Adidas sweat suit, gold chain, flashy watch, some $1,000 loafers and a huge gut. I’d swear I was standing next to a made man.
He pretty much stayed on his phone the entire time and when he wasn’t he was screaming ridiculous things at cameras like Kimbo was going to be the next heavyweight boxing champion after he conquered MMA.
It was funny to actually be standing next to him and listening to his antics firsthand. I counted 10 times he yelled “305″ to Kimbo while he was working out. I’m sure by now Kimbo is used to his corny ways, but I was having a hard time controlling my laughter.
Kimbo walked in at about 2:45 with a 12-man posse. He walked around for a minute, said what’s up to Shaw and a few others then got in the cage. I have to say I was expecting him to be a lot bigger. Maybe it was the bodyguards with him, but he just didn’t seem like the overwhelming presence I expected and wanted to see.
After stretching out a little, he wrapped his hands up and put on the gloves. I was looking around, waiting for Bas Rutten to come out any minute and put on the punching mitts and walk us through what Kimbo was going to do to Tank, but Bas never showed.
In his place was this dude who couldn’t have been taller than 5′9″ and probably weighed 190 — an obvious ploy to make Kimbo appear bigger than he was.
Kimbo threw some basic combinations for a few minutes and worked up a little sweat. He basically broke it down into three rounds, pausing for about a minute or two between each. He took it easy on the guy for the most part until the third round.
Thats when he showed off his best weapon — the left hook.
I swear Ii thought he was going to break the dude’s wrist. He knocked the mitt off his hand at least four times. Aside from Shaw’s hilarious “305″ chants and occasional “Kill him Kimbo” comments, it was pretty cool to see up close the true power Kimbo has in his hands.
It’s really impressive.
That was pretty much all Kimbo did as far as working out went. The rest of the time I was there was nothing but Kimbo talking to a reporter from ABC (who was the only one they let interview him) and him just kind of hanging out with his people.
Perhaps it was the rain that kept everybody away, but besides Kimbo himself, Shaw, Kimbo’s mom, his girl, his bodyguards, a guy that had to be his brother with the matching gold teeth and beard, a reporter from ABC and some Showtime guys, I was pretty much the only other one there.
I did manage to work my way in for a few seconds for a handshake and an introduction. He was a really nice guy. He posed for a picture and said thanks for coming and that was it.
All in all it was a pretty cool experience, but I left feeling a little disappointed in my first encounter with Kimbo. I kind of just had this image of him in my head as this bad ass dude who would take a swing at me if I looked at him wrong. I expected him to be more “Clubber Lang” and instead he a total professional.
That’s not a bad thing. Perhaps Bas Rutten really does have this guy turning into a well-rounded fighter.
We’ll find out on Saturday night.
34 Comments »
Wateva im not buying into the kimbo hype. Yeah he can hit hard i’ll give him that but who has he fought. I saw those internet fights. Please give me a break. a guy knocking out bums doesnt mean your a top notch fighter. It just means you can beat up bums. when Kimbo fights a true MMA stud and wins then i’ll say ok and give him props.
good artical. enjoyed reading it.
Nice detailed write up. I guess he wasnt as popular as the internet implies.
both guys are too old. it will be like watching two gorilla’s fighting at the zoo….somewhat entertaining, but if it does not end early…snooze fest in effect.
nice detailed article.
[quote comment=”310442″]good artical. enjoyed reading it.[/quote]
Article. But yes, enjoyed the read, and laughed at the Scorsese description of our favorite mma barker, Gary Shaw.
Kavedaddy, Kimbo’s not that old. I think he’s in his early thirtys.
Luke, ya he is only 33. maybe i was leaning more towards the a streetfighter of his age may be too old to start MMA at a high level…aka UFC. Though Lesnar is 32, and may not be too old. I think i am confused with my point.
go tank!!!! i hope tank beats this guy i think he gets to much hype for his street fighting in mma i hope tank beats him. yea i know this will be a stand up knock out brawl so it still would be interesting to watch.
good article. although i do think tank has a puncher’s chance. wait. so does kimbo. damnit. ok, so whats gonna happen is they will hit eachother in the fist and a big explosion of shotgun shells will explode out like a pinate full of bees.
Kimbo’s doing what Jorge Masvidal’s doing - except he’s doing it the other way - streetfighting than MMA rather than vice-versa.
Yupp…Good article. I enjoyed this info on Kimbo..
Question. what gym did Kimbo have the open training at?
[quote comment=”310485″]both guys are too old. it will be like watching two gorilla’s fighting at the zoo….somewhat entertaining, but if it does not end early…snooze fest in effect.[/quote]
Are You New?
Kimbo Is Like 31 Years Old. He IS Still A Young Pup. And Yo Any Kimbo Fight Is Very Very Far From Boring.
[quote comment=”310562″]go tank!!!! i hope tank beats this guy i think he gets to much hype for his street fighting in mma i hope tank beats him. yea i know this will be a stand up knock out brawl so it still would be interesting to watch.[/quote]
WOW!!! Tank Doesent Stand A Chance. His Record Should Be Enough To Tell You He Is A Bum. Kimbo’s Gonna Destroy Him.
Kimbo Will Show What He Is Really Mad Of This Saturday.. I Wont Be Surprised If He Takes Tank Down And Elbows Him Into Submission.
[quote comment=”310632″][quote comment=”310485″]both guys are too old. it will be like watching two gorilla’s fighting at the zoo….somewhat entertaining, but if it does not end early…snooze fest in effect.[/quote]
Are You New?
Kimbo Is Like 31 Years Old. He IS Still A Young Pup. And Yo Any Kimbo Fight Is Very Very Far From Boring.[/quote]
sorry, he is 34 years old. far older than you thought. 3 years is alot in the 30’s in MMA
This is what will probably happen to tank again.
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=626967078&channel=137193843
I think EliteXC is doing the right thing with Kimbo by feeding him easy fights at first. It is only going to help his stock. They could have fed him to Bigfoot Silva, and not destroyed any credibility, but i’m kind of happy with the novelty fights. After all, that’s all he really is.
[quote comment=”310632″][quote comment=”310485″]both guys are too old. it will be like watching two gorilla’s fighting at the zoo….somewhat entertaining, but if it does not end early…snooze fest in effect.[/quote]
Are You New?
Kimbo Is Like 31 Years Old. He IS Still A Young Pup. And Yo Any Kimbo Fight Is Very Very Far From Boring.[/quote]
Kimbo just turned 34 on feb/8.
I think Kimbo has a great potential to be a big threat in MMa..
He is training with Bass, so I know he is taking this very serious…
Hopfully once he is done killing Tank, he can move on to some better competition, to build a name for himself….
It is just’ that EliteXC doesn’t really have alot of HW’s that can truly “test” Kimbo’s MMa game….
Maybe Gary Shaw can set up a Kimbo/Cabbage fight after Tank die’s off forever…..
..does anyone know if Cabbage still fights for EliteXC??
305 = Miami area code.
Must be to constantly remind Kimbo of his old days fighting in alleys… But isn’t that exactly what he’s trying to move away from??
[quote comment=”310635″][quote comment=”310562″]go tank!!!! i hope tank beats this guy i think he gets to much hype for his street fighting in mma i hope tank beats him. yea i know this will be a stand up knock out brawl so it still would be interesting to watch.[/quote]
WOW!!! Tank Doesent Stand A Chance. His Record Should Be Enough To Tell You He Is A Bum. Kimbo’s Gonna Destroy Him.
Kimbo Will Show What He Is Really Mad Of This Saturday.. I Wont Be Surprised If He Takes Tank Down And Elbows Him Into Submission.[/quote]
lol…you liked that did you diesel…yea i can only hope that tank beats him but you never know in a mma fight.
I have a feeling that Kimbo is going to impress some people this weekend. Beating Tank is no big deal, but I think his striking will look really impressive. After all he is working with the KING of all Strikers….Bassito!
I am pleaszed to leqarn that all the fighters that competed at UFC 81 passed thyeir pre fight drug tests. That was a big event, and a fighters testing positive for roids would have severly tarnished another excellent event.
he’s gross
This fight is a joke. Hope Tank wins but I am not holding my breath. Damn waste of time. If Kimbo wants to be an MMA fighter fight MMA fighters not just another brawler. Might as well just have the fight in the back alley outside the arena.
[quote comment=”310485″]both guys are too old. it will be like watching two gorilla’s fighting at the zoo….somewhat entertaining, but if it does not end early…snooze fest in effect.[/quote]
hahahaha
[quote comment=”310703″]This is what will probably happen to tank again.
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=626967078&channel=137193843/quote
you know I’m wondering if Kimbo is going to take Buenetello’s challenge.instead of just wanting to rematch Gannon.
Kimbo vs. Buentello or Kimbo vs. Cabbage would be really entertaining fights and a much better way of telling how much Kimbo has really progressed as a professional fighter.
[quote comment=”310562″]go tank!!!! i hope tank beats this guy i think he gets to much hype for his street fighting in mma i hope tank beats him. yea i know this will be a stand up knock out brawl so it still would be interesting to watch.[/quote]
well Tanks a piece of crap and kimbo did win by submission his first fight and is younger faster, and stronger and trains with bas rutten…..i think u might be confused or on drugs!!!
I think Kimbo should fight Antonio “Big Foot” Silva…. i think that would be a very interesting fight for kimbo if he wins…I think a win over Silva would really show people that he means serious buisness!!! what u guys think??
[quote comment=”310652″][quote comment=”310632″][quote comment=”310485″]both guys are too old. it will be like watching two gorilla’s fighting at the zoo….somewhat entertaining, but if it does not end early…snooze fest in effect.[/quote]
Are You New?
Kimbo Is Like 31 Years Old. He IS Still A Young Pup. And Yo Any Kimbo Fight Is Very Very Far From Boring.[/quote]
sorry, he is 34 years old. far older than you thought. 3 years is alot in the 30’s in MMA[/quote]
actually hes 33 and what the hell does that have to do with anything…..look at couture(44), liddell(38), ortiz(33),Henderson(37), marcus davis(34), alexander houston(35),marvin eastman(38),jardine(32),kongo(32),monson(35) get the point….in mma the guys in there 30s have been extremly dominant…and yeah kimbo is not as experienced but your talking age!!!!!!!!!!!!!
he stays in the pocket,BUT ,it may work pretty good against the guys of buentello,cabbage,esch,thompson broughton etc.CALIBRE…but if he fights big nog,monson,rizzo,ant silva,randy ,fedor,josh…i think his record would even out ,may there be antonio silva for the winner next?????? maybe????HE WILL GET HIS FIRST LOSS THEN
ur right hes 34, but still…………
[quote comment=”311967″]he stays in the pocket,BUT ,it may work pretty good against the guys of buentello,cabbage,esch,thompson broughton etc.CALIBRE…but if he fights big nog,monson,rizzo,ant silva,randy ,fedor,josh…i think his record would even out ,may there be antonio silva for the winner next?????? maybe????HE WILL GET HIS FIRST LOSS THEN[/quote]
I agree!!! but if he were to beat Big Foot , I think it would be time to fight big fighters because all those bums you named would stand no chane under those circumstances…