Being live in Miami for the Kimbo Slice and Tank Abbott fight was an experience. The BankUnited Center in Miami, Fla., was sold out — a record gate for the venue according to EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw — with all different kinds of people who were all united with their support for the hometown fighter, Kimbo Slice.
When it came time for the bearded wonder to make his way to the cage, there was not one seat in the building with a butt in it. In fact, even with a ringside seat the only time I could see Kimbo was for a few seconds before he got in the cage.
I watched the entire fight — all 43 seconds of it — on the big screen because there were literally hundreds of people standing on their chairs between my seat and the actual cage.
Slice’s opponent, Tank Abbott, played his part in the show as well as he could. Someone had to be the bad guy and someone had to get knocked out. If any good can be said about Tank’s performance, it’s that even with all the hoopla that surrounded him, he still went out there and stood toe-to-toe with a man who was in better shape, younger and as it turns out, better than himself at his own street-fighting game.
At least we didn’t see a repeat performance of the Bo Cantrell fiasco. That’s not Tank’s style — he comes to bang … win or lose (usually the latter).
Regardless, cheers Tank.
While Kimbo was impressive with his knockout, there was another heavyweight with his own highlight reel stoppage on Saturday night.
Brett Rogers was the next fighter to stamp his name on the petition to change James Thompson’s nickname from “The Colossus” to “Glass Jaw.” Seriously, it’s possible that Thompson has a form or narcolepsy with as many times as he’s fallen asleep in his fights.
He should get that checked out.
It was obvious from the beginning Thompson’s gameplan was to take the Minnesota native down, but every time he was successful, Rogers was able to stand the fight right back up … and with ease. Rogers eventually got tired of the up-and-down routine and decided to land a devastating knee followed by a five-punch combination that ended the fight.
It was nasty.
Rogers is 6′5″ and 265 pounds. Kimbo is listed as 6′2″ and 234 pounds. I wonder what Kimbo would do in a fight with a man who is that much bigger. I know a lot of people want to see Kimbo get tested on the ground, but tonight we might have found someone who can test him on his feet.
Slice vs. Rogers would be a very interesting fight.
Yves Edwards‘ Urijah Faber-esque one-legged hopping knee knockout of Edson Berto was one of the sickest finishes I’ve ever seen. That was set up and executed to perfection by Yves, who is looking like a fighter on a mission to resurrect his once brilliant career.
And if Berto’s not careful he’s going to make a name for himself as the guy who gets knocked out by highlight reel knees. That’s two now, counting this one and the other courtesy of EliteXC lightweight champ, KJ Noons, back in July 2007.
The knockout trend continued in the middleweight fight between Scott Smith and Kyle Noke.
It took the entire first round for Smith to get acclimated with the EliteXC cage, but that’s all it took. He didn’t do much but dance around for the first five minutes of his fight with the Aussie, but when the second round bell rang he decided it was finally time to throw a punch.
And what a perfectly timed and placed punch it was.
It looks like Smith could be the next challenger to Robbie Lawler’s middleweight title. If, of course, Lawler’s ever healthy enough to defend it.
I wish I could say Antonio Silva lived up to all the hype tonight, but that’s just not true. In all fairness, a win against a fighter with the background of Ricco Rodriguez is nothing to be ashamed of. But for someone who is being touted as the number one heavyweight in the world, a split decision win over a guy coming off years of drug addiction and weight issues is just not good enough.
Shaw stood by his claim that Silva is the best at the post fight press conference and didn’t waste any time serving up an excuse for his fighter’s lackluster performance, claiming that Silva had an injury coming into the fight that wasn’t announced.
What’s done is done and like I said a win against Ricco is nothing to be ashamed of, but I hope Silva does more in his next fight. He’s going to have to if he wants to live up to the hype his promoter is heaping on him.
After the last bell had rang and the fans had all gone home, EliteXC: “Street Certified” surpassed all expectations. Sure there were no Chuck Liddell’s or Anderson Silva’s on the card. No BJ Penn’s or George St. Pierre’s. But there were 22 fighters giving everything they had to this great sport and leaving us, the fans, with some memorable knockouts and plenty to talk about heading into the future.
It was truly an exciting night of entertaining fights.
Next up for EliteXC is the copromotion with Strikeforce on March 29 in San Jose, Calif. Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le for the Strikeforce middleweight championship will headline the event, and Jake Shields will take on Drew Fickett for the first ever EliteXC welterweight championship in the co-feature of the evening.
Should be another solid event … don’t miss it.
72 Comments »
kimbos a joke.
put him up against some talent and watch him fail miserably.
Good Write-up James!
The Edwards knockout is perhaps the best in a very long time. You guys should check it out as soon as possible.
Well, now Kimbo (who almost looked to have some MMA style to his fighting) has fought a couple of cans and won. Maybe they can get him to fight somebody a little more skilled. Maybe Ricco Rodriguez? (just kidding)
What the hell was up with Ricco’s belly, I couldn’t take my eyes off that damn thing bouncing around the ring. Dude, get a treadmill and use it!
KIMBO has two fights …first fight with BO CANTRELL with a record of 10-10-0………second is TANK ABBOT with a record of 9- 13-0 this guys loses more than they win and MIKE GOLDBERG try to say how bad KIMBO IS….. BOTTOM LINE IS THIS IS A MISMACH TANK IS NO LONGER A FIGHTHER AND SO IS BO CANTRELL and for kimbo hes not a real MMA fighther hi needs to fight a true talent and goldberg is going to shut uppp so is the rest….
i think kimbo vs brett rogers whould be one hell of a match up
You people are funny. Obviously Kimbo hasn’t been put up against any hardcore competition, he’s just starting. Everyone was saying that Brock Lesnar was thrown in too soon to a guy who was too good. Now you guys complain because Kimbo was thrown in against lesser fighters in only his first two fights. I’m sure he’ll work his way up the competition once he becomes more well rounded, no sense throwing a banger in against guys who are just gonna walk through him anyway.
People say it was a mistake to have Lesnar fight such a big name, clearly Elite XC is making a better choice with it’s “new thing” than UFC is with Lesnar.
someone said Kimbo vs. Shamrock. You know what…I’d love to see it. Edwards knockout was amazing… and Scott Smith has got some real deal knockout power, last night…and against Pete Sell.. 2 of my favorite k.o.’s.
I think that what Kimbo will bring to the sport, is dishonor. He, like Brock, bum-rush opponents and try to overwelm them early. There was no class in either contendor, both causing the fights to temporary stopped due to illegal blows. Kimbo pushed and ignored the directions of the refree numberous times during the fight. I think this, coupled with the release of the atrositsy “Never Back Down”, could spell the end of MMA. The thing we have relied on so long to stay afloat was athletes with self-disicpline and class. The fans Kimbo attracts would be prefectly content watching “Bum Fights”. I think it is a travesty they brought him into this sports.
Until Kimbo beats a HW who could have success somewhere like the UFC (Even an Eddie Sanchez or Hardonk) I could care less about this guy.
The bottom line is that he knows where his skill level is… not that high. There’s a reason why he’s calling out Ken Shamrock and wants a fight with Mike Tyson. he should stick to fighting in the streets and there is no way i’d buy a PPV just cause he’s fighting on it.
If you people are going to talk badly about how Kimbo would fair against a “game” opponett, atleast make a case against a particular fighter b/c everyone is different. With Kimbo’s punching combos I think he’d do well against Ricco. However against Silva, I think Silva’s size would be too much for him.
All I’m saying is, if you want to make a case, give examples to explain yourself so nobody starts the name-calling thing. Thats all.
Look everyone is coming down on Kimbo, But you have to start somewhere, right. Look at where Randy Couture started, Hes first two fights where against Guys who only had two fights apiece. They never fought again. So he has to take his time and work upwards. NOW I”M NOT SAYING THAT KIMBO IS ANYWHERE AS GOOD AS RANDY IS, all i’m saying is that he has to start somewhere!
I think Kimbo would match up good against quite a few fighters, and would rather see him maybe even cut weight to LHW, that would be great. But yeah, like people have said, I don’t take her seriously, not yet. I just like to see a raw fighter giving a raw knock out every once in a while. lol
everyone starts off fighting nobodys because at the time your a nobody and kimbo is a nobody, hes never done mixed martial arts, hes 34 and now hes trying to do something with hes life all u bad mouthers r piece of shi#s……..get a life, he will fight a top contender when hes promoters get him one , and the thing is…..this nobody would will prob. walk out on top!!!!!!!
[quote comment="316135"]If you people are going to talk badly about how Kimbo would fair against a “game” opponett, atleast make a case against a particular fighter b/c everyone is different. With Kimbo’s punching combos I think he’d do well against Ricco. However against Silva, I think Silva’s size would be too much for him.
All I’m saying is, if you want to make a case, give examples to explain yourself so nobody starts the name-calling thing. Thats all.[/quote]
First off, Ricco might be able to strike with Ricco. Second off, what in god’s name makes you think Kimbo has a chance in hell of stuffing Ricco’s takedown’s? Cuz he was a good football player in high school?
Kimbo will never in his career be capable of beating a fighter at teh level of an out of shape Ricco. He’s 35 and he’s barely starting to learn how to wrestle, and do BJJ. Shit, he didn’t even have technical striking to start.
So far, Kimbo has yet to beat a fighter orth a damn in the streets or in the cage.
Wow I called Kimbo a “her” in my last post. lol. Oops.
[quote comment="316157"]everyone starts off fighting nobodys because at the time your a nobody and kimbo is a nobody, hes never done mixed martial arts, hes 34 and now hes trying to do something with hes life all u bad mouthers r piece of shi#s……..get a life, he will fight a top contender when hes promoters get him one , and the thing is…..this nobody would will prob. walk out on top!!!!!!![/quote]
I agree, he’s a nobody yet, and people are saying he should be fighting top competition? Why? Because Lesnar did?
its true kimbo hasnt been properly tested yet but he is building a HL reel of victories while training with one of the greatest mma fighters ever to grace the cage
he needs more time to fully develop as a fighter but finishing a guy like tank in a slugfest atleast shows he has some standup ability
his cardio should continue to improve as hes probably only been in serious training for about a year. also all his former bad habits drinking smoking poor diet will now be seriously improved
kimbo did a good job selling the fight and has a personality that fans will be drawn too much like rampage
id like to see him fight ken shamrock next
he needs gradual steps up in competition
atleast ken may take him into a second round and is probably still widely considered as a proper competitor
ricco rodriguez may not be a bad fight at some point down the line
[quote comment="316072"]Good Write-up James![/quote]
thanks man
[quote comment="316101"]i think kimbo vs brett rogers whould be one hell of a match up[/quote]
i agree…Brett Rogers is a massive human being…James Thompson is not small himself and he couldn’t do anything with Rogers once he took him down…i think Kimbo would have some trouble with him
there was also a heavyweight on the undercard who was pretty impressive named Dave “Pee Wee” Herman…I have a feeling they’re going to put him in there with Brett Rogers next…thats a fight that would be impossible to disappoint…do a google search and you can find hermans fight, it was a crazy first round, I kind of felt bad for his opponent Mario Rinaldi, his strategy I guess was to just grab Hermans leg and absorb as many punches as he could…he walked right by me after the fight and his face looked like a tomoato can, its not going to look right for months…
If they’re going to tout him as a main event figher, he shouldn’t be fighting cans. I don’t ever want to see Bo Cantrell, Tank, or K. Shamrock in a main event again.
[quote comment="316155"]I think Kimbo would match up good against quite a few fighters, and would rather see him maybe even cut weight to LHW, that would be great. [/quote]
I agree, he would be a very dangerous lhw if he could make the weight…imagine kimbo vs. houston alexander
Shamrock will be in a main event soon, and any other time he fights he will be the main event, unfortunately. But yeah they probably shouldn’t have put him as the main event as a real MMA fan’s point of view, but as a money maker’s point a view it was the right choice.
BTW, how bout that chest hair of his? lol
I completely agree with you, Adam. Not only is Kimbo Slice a joke, but so is an organization that lets him headline, let alone fight for them, in this case EliteXC. 2 bums rushing eachother and trading nothing but punches is not MMA, is either low-class boxing or street fitghting, neither has a place in an MMA cage. The fans that cheer for fighters such as Kimbo or Lesnar do not want to see a good, technical and exciting MMA fight, but rather a quick rushed and sloppy knockout. Personally, it disgusts me, and I would galdly day a Gabe Rudiger vs. Andy Wang fight over this fiasco any day of the week.
[quote comment="316180"][quote comment="316155"]I think Kimbo would match up good against quite a few fighters, and would rather see him maybe even cut weight to LHW, that would be great. [/quote]
I agree, he would be a very dangerous lhw if he could make the weight…imagine kimbo vs. houston alexander[/quote]
As it stands, Dana doesn’t like Kimbo from what I can remember. I’m sure once he wins a few more fights, jack up the competition, he could change his mind.
Then again, he is training with Bas Rutten, so he may end up in the IFL before he gets a chance at the UFC.
[quote post="4970"]Everyone was saying that Brock Lesnar was thrown in too soon to a guy who was too good.[/quote]
Everyone being? Gary Shaw?
Get real, if you want to win, go to elitexc
Kimbo came from backyard fighting and is now a six figure N*gga, as he put it! He’s making decent money…so don’t hate cause he’s doing something you may not be, ya know?
[quote comment="316200"][quote post="4970"]Everyone was saying that Brock Lesnar was thrown in too soon to a guy who was too good.[/quote]
Everyone being? Gary Shaw?
Get real, if you want to win, go to elitexc[/quote]
I don’t think he should have been put against Mir if people actually wanted him to win. I think any BJJ HW would be a horrible match up for him (even though there’s only like, two). They should have put him against a striker or maybe another wrestler.
James, a torn MCL is no joke. And if it’s ok for you to point out ricco was out of shape, I see no problems pointing out silva had a torn MCL two weeks before the fight. excuses or not, he won the fight with a torn MCL, which is more than enough.
[quote comment="316181"]Shamrock will be in a main event soon, and any other time he fights he will be the main event, unfortunately. But yeah they probably shouldn’t have put him as the main event as a real MMA fan’s point of view, but as a money maker’s point a view it was the right choice.
BTW, how bout that chest hair of his? lol[/quote]
not to mention he shamrock headlined 2 fight cards in the UFC in 2007 with Tito..
[quote comment="316077"]The Edwards knockout is perhaps the best in a very long time. You guys should check it out as soon as possible.[/quote]
http://i27.tinypic.com/2q9z7fb.gif
I was at the fights last night – it seemed all of the guys gave their best and was an exciting atmosphere but… Ricco’s stomach hanged over his pants and I can’t imagine what Tank looked like before he lost the 40 pounds (wow). Tu Salute to Tank for going toe to toe and mixing it up – especially at this point in his career. Kimbo is a one dimensional stand up guy who’s never been tagged or tested on the ground due to the competition (Internet or ElixeXC) he fights. Financially, it’s not in EliteXC or Kimbo’s best interest to match him against a real MMA fighter. There will be no more intrigue about him when someone cuts down his lead leg so he can’t base and strike or gets submitted rather quickly thus revealing the major hole in his game. He may want to think about separating himself from the porn business to. Porn and sponsorship don’t seem like a healthy mix – it kinda limits your audience when you have the M.I.L.F. hunter as your sidekick.
[quote post="4970"]He may want to think about separating himself from the porn business to. Porn and sponsorship don’t seem like a healthy mix – it kinda limits your audience when you have the M.I.L.F. hunter as your sidekick.[/quote]
Reality Kings family of sites, which includes MILF Hunter and other porn sites, I believe, is among the top 10 Web destinations in the world. I don’t think Kimbo needs any other sponsors in that respect if that’s what you’re saying (unless by audience you mean fans.) I’m sure they pay him way more than what Gary Shaw does.
[quote comment="316069"]kimbos a joke.
put him up against some talent and watch him fail miserably.[/quote]
guess what ..like it or not hes becoming a better fighter. Yea he aint fighting in the ufc cause i dont think he would have too much success there either…but he tore tanks ass up.
“Reality Kings family of sites, which includes MILF Hunter and other porn sites, I believe, is among the top 10 Web destinations in the world. I don’t think Kimbo needs any other sponsors in that respect if that’s what you’re saying (unless by audience you mean fans.) I’m sure they pay him way more than what Gary Shaw does.”
- In reference to fans; MMA is having a tough enough time being excepted without that albatross on its back. Especially if MMA or Kimbo wants to become as mainstream. You don’t see to many porn sponsors on ESPN or ABC (at least I haven’t seen any). Some people consider MMA to be a sleazy, barbaric, human-cock fighting business and the Reality Kings advertisement for porn doesn’t help us. They may be good for a quick dollar but I think the long term affect may be another hill for the MMA community to climb.
[quote comment="316077"]The Edwards knockout is perhaps the best in a very long time. You guys should check it out as soon as possible.[/quote]
That was craaaazzzyy!!!
I think everyone should stop hating on Kimbo. This is a business people. Kimbo has a huge following and he puts butts in the seats, OK. He’s like Tito, not super great, but for some reason people like watching him. Kimbo also has that Scarface appeal of coming from the bottom and making it big. I think with his aggression and top level training from Bas Kimbo will actually turn into a contender level fighter. The truth is we haven’t seen how well his ground game is, but it has to be decent at least since he’s training with Bas. In a fight with Say, Ricco, I believe Kimbo has the right amount of power and aggression and probably takedown defense to finish Ricco. Especially if Ricco comes in with 40% body fat like he did last night. He really could hypnotize someone with his belly.
I also have to add, that I was scared for Tank when the ref tried hading Kimbo back his mouth piece and he threw it away and you could really tell he just wanted to take tanks head off.
I’d like to see Kimbo vs Paul Buentello.
[quote comment="316184"]I completely agree with you, Adam. Not only is Kimbo Slice a joke, but so is an organization that lets him headline, let alone fight for them, in this case EliteXC. 2 bums rushing eachother and trading nothing but punches is not MMA, is either low-class boxing or street fitghting, neither has a place in an MMA cage. The fans that cheer for fighters such as Kimbo or Lesnar do not want to see a good, technical and exciting MMA fight, but rather a quick rushed and sloppy knockout. Personally, it disgusts me, and I would galdly day a Gabe Rudiger vs. Andy Wang fight over this fiasco any day of the week.[/quote]
I agree with your point of view with respect to EliteXC and Slice. The last two fight match-ups were a mockery to the sport. However, I wouldn’t put Lesnar (a highly decorated NCAA wrestler) in the same category as Slice. EliteXC has a long way to go to even be mentioned in the same breath as the UFC. IMO their chances of survival are slim at best. IMO Gary Shaw is going about things the wrong way. By trashing the UFC and insinuating that his fighters are better is an insult to our intelligence and turns a lot of people against his promotion.
[quote comment="316077"]The Edwards knockout is perhaps the best in a very long time. You guys should check it out as soon as possible.[/quote]
link?
[quote comment="316122"]I think that what Kimbo will bring to the sport, is dishonor. He, like Brock, bum-rush opponents and try to overwelm them early. There was no class in either contendor, both causing the fights to temporary stopped due to illegal blows. Kimbo pushed and ignored the directions of the refree numberous times during the fight. I think this, coupled with the release of the atrositsy “Never Back Down”, could spell the end of MMA. The thing we have relied on so long to stay afloat was athletes with self-disicpline and class. The fans Kimbo attracts would be prefectly content watching “Bum Fights”. I think it is a travesty they brought him into this sports.[/quote]
Dude relax, Kimbo is in a no class organization, UFC would never sign that gargabe. Brock Lesnar has fame and solid wrestling credentials that is why UFC signed him and unlike that no class piece of s… Kimbo, Brock did not push the Ref when the point was deducted, he was calm.
[quote comment="316401"][quote comment="316077"]The Edwards knockout is perhaps the best in a very long time. You guys should check it out as soon as possible.[/quote]
link?[/quote]
nvm i got it, thanks
THE MAN THREW HIS MOUTH PIECE AWAY DURING A FIGHT WITH TANK ABBOT. come on .. how do u not love this guy
“Reality Kings family of sites, which includes MILF Hunter and other porn sites, I believe, is among the top 10 Web destinations in the world. I don’t think Kimbo needs any other sponsors in that respect if that’s what you’re saying (unless by audience you mean fans.) I’m sure they pay him way more than what Gary Shaw does.”
MMA has enough critics / roadblocks and doesn’t need that albatross around his neck. Porn doesn’t mesh well with MOST of the population and I think this will be another hurdle to being accepted into the mainstream. I haven’t seen a lot of Porn advertisements on ABC or ESPN or even the UFC. Large sponsorships, which are the most important thing cause the sport is a business, will not partner up with a porn company to endorse and sponsor events. Who wants their banner next to the M.I.L.F. hunter?? How does a father who is trying to introduce his kids to MMA go to event (like last night that was overwhelmed by Reality Kings endorsement) and then have to explain what the Reality Kings banner is to his kids?? Do you think XBox360 or the new Dreamworks movie release want their banner next to “Bang Bros” or whatever the RK owns?? Its not smart business and we will not break out the stigma of being a sleazy human cock fighting business if they don’t look at the long term affects of what is done now.
[quote comment="316116"]You people are funny. Obviously Kimbo hasn’t been put up against any hardcore competition, he’s just starting. Everyone was saying that Brock Lesnar was thrown in too soon to a guy who was too good. Now you guys complain because Kimbo was thrown in against lesser fighters in only his first two fights. I’m sure he’ll work his way up the competition once he becomes more well rounded, no sense throwing a banger in against guys who are just gonna walk through him anyway.
People say it was a mistake to have Lesnar fight such a big name, clearly Elite XC is making a better choice with it’s “new thing” than UFC is with Lesnar.[/quote]
YOU ARE SO RIGHT MA MAN!!!
[quote comment="316415"]THE MAN THREW HIS MOUTH PIECE AWAY DURING A FIGHT WITH TANK ABBOT. come on .. how do u not love this guy[/quote]
It was not his mouthpiece, it was some trash that was thrown in the ring by an unruly spectator.
Kimbo vs Ken Shamrock could be interesting (and profitable). Ken would definitely test Kimbo’s grappling and ground game. They could also use Ken’s wins over Kimbo’s mentor Bas as history to promote the fight.
no joke about that yves knockout that really was impressive..i dont really know anything about his opponent but edwards looked really good throughout the whole round..had a nice sweep off his back pulled out of a decent looking guillotine..controlled tempo from his back and from on top…and then pulls of one of the most technically amazing knockouts ever….you could see him lining itup…. beautiful
Kimbo Slice vs Brock Lesnar..that’s one match i like to see it happen
Brock gained more fans and respect by losing to Mir than Kimbo could ever gain by beating an over-the-hill Tank. However, XC knows that Kimbo’s shelf-life is short – he’s old (for a rookie) and his skill level is low. He’s brutal, exciting and popular so they are going to thow him big-name “cans” until the fans demand a “real” fight and he’ll get beat and disappear.
Yes, of course there is a chance that he’ll hang around for a bit. Even once he loses, he’ll draw a certain type of fan and that’s fine with XC or any other organization.
Just my opinion, but I think Brock would GNP crush Kimbo in the first round. Kimbo would be on his back in 5 seconds and he’d never get up.
[quote comment="316387"]I think everyone should stop hating on Kimbo. This is a business people. Kimbo has a huge following and he puts butts in the seats, OK.[/quote]
The butts that he is putting in the seats is what bothers me. MMA, as a sport, has been beaten up in the because of fear that the sport will spawn fans to start unsanctioned and unsafe fights. In the past two events I watched, there have been fights in the audience. One fight was during the Stalone intervue. Kimbo’s fans are not MMA fans! They are fight fans. They have no idea of the training and sacrifies that true MMA fighters make. They are not welcomed and I do not look forward to his future fights. Sorry for the hating on Kimbo, although it is not him I dislike it is his “posse”.
i’d like to see Kimbo vs. CroCop
Kimbo and tank are cans. Kimbo is the better can though.
brock lesnar is still the best fighter in the world
MMAMania:
Can you get the fight pay outs for this event?
It’d be curious to see how much more/less EliteXC make versus UFC fighters, and if that difference would sway current UFC fighters that have contracts winding down (Arlovski, etc).
[quote post="4970"]I agree with your point of view with respect to EliteXC and Slice. The last two fight match-ups were a mockery to the sport. However, I wouldn’t put Lesnar (a highly decorated NCAA wrestler) in the same category as Slice. EliteXC has a long way to go to even be mentioned in the same breath as the UFC. IMO their chances of survival are slim at best. IMO Gary Shaw is going about things the wrong way. By trashing the UFC and insinuating that his fighters are better is an insult to our intelligence and turns a lot of people against his promotion.[/quote]
Totally agree Dolphin, and you know what? When I re-read my post I did think myself that it might’ve come out as if I was placing Kimbo and Lasnar on the same level of skill and credentials, when that wasn’t my original intent. I have all the respect in the world for Brock’s achievements as an collegiate wrestler, he’s truly been a phenom and deserves respect, and in regard to that experience, I do honestly think he’s got a very good chance of becoming a true MMA fighter some day, with several more years of training. The point I was trying to express, as I believe you understood, was that fights such as Lesnar vs. Mir and Kimbo vs. Tank (again, without any direct comparison between the fighters and their adversaries), which attract the big and easy money from casual fans who want not an MMA fight but a bar slugfest- they are damaging the sport much more than people think, and I personally do not enjoy seeing such fights. The greatness of Nog’s sweep and guilliotine that night was surpassed by Brock’s awful hammerfists in the eyes of many, and that kinda’ rubs me the wrong way.
[quote comment="316069"]kimbos a joke.
put him up against some talent and watch him fail miserably.[/quote]
u are so rite thats what i was gonna say.. in all honesty 90percent of that federation is nuthin but a joke…that federation is a bunch of bums who couldnt make it in the ufc,,not all of them jus about 85-90percent of them
[quote comment="316720"]MMAMania:
Can you get the fight pay outs for this event?
It’d be curious to see how much more/less EliteXC make versus UFC fighters, and if that difference would sway current UFC fighters that have contracts winding down (Arlovski, etc).[/quote]
i was wondering the same thing myself.
[quote comment="316116"]You people are funny. Obviously Kimbo hasn’t been put up against any hardcore competition, he’s just starting. Everyone was saying that Brock Lesnar was thrown in too soon to a guy who was too good. Now you guys complain because Kimbo was thrown in against lesser fighters in only his first two fights. I’m sure he’ll work his way up the competition once he becomes more well rounded, no sense throwing a banger in against guys who are just gonna walk through him anyway.
People say it was a mistake to have Lesnar fight such a big name, clearly Elite XC is making a better choice with it’s “new thing” than UFC is with Lesnar.[/quote]
Thank goodness someone on here is making sense.
Man all this Kimbo hype is nonsense, he just like any other up and comer right now, why does he get so much attention?
It’s rediculous to argue, I mean, he hasnt fought anybody good enough to say Kimbo is really legit, and he has killed all competition he has faced thus far, so how can you say he cant handle more? It’s all speculation, let this up and comer work it out and we will all soon see how good he is or isnt.
[quote comment="316536"][quote comment="316387"]I think everyone should stop hating on Kimbo. This is a business people. Kimbo has a huge following and he puts butts in the seats, OK.[/quote]
The butts that he is putting in the seats is what bothers me. MMA, as a sport, has been beaten up in the because of fear that the sport will spawn fans to start unsanctioned and unsafe fights. In the past two events I watched, there have been fights in the audience. One fight was during the Stalone intervue. Kimbo’s fans are not MMA fans! They are fight fans. They have no idea of the training and sacrifies that true MMA fighters make. They are not welcomed and I do not look forward to his future fights. Sorry for the hating on Kimbo, although it is not him I dislike it is his “posse”.[/quote]
MMA is a growing sport and needs all the fans it can get. Do you think every NFL, NBA, or MLB fan really understands the sport fully. Of course not, but sports exist on their level of success because of casual fans. Sure we can just have die-hard fans going to the events, but then half the arenas will be empty and fighters will be paid 5k for championship bouts.
[quote comment="316480"]Kimbo Slice vs Brock Lesnar..that’s one match i like to see it happen[/quote]
Kimbo isn’t in Lesnar’s league.
[quote comment="317152"][quote comment="316480"]Kimbo Slice vs Brock Lesnar..that’s one match i like to see it happen[/quote]
Kimbo isn’t in Lesnar’s league.[/quote]
i agree kimbo can’t fight even the worst ufc fighter. but i do like how he whipped tanks ass. now tank knows how the guys he faced feel. i hope this is the last i ever hear tank is going to fight someone. retire is what tank should do. and if he wants a job he can come be my punching bag. i’ll just hang him by his neck and start throwing and when he starts smelling i’ll just throw him in the trash were he belongs. i’ve all ways hated him. i knew he wasn’t going to amount to anything when he lost to oleg in ufc 6. (i think)
[quote post="4970"]The greatness of Nog’s sweep and guilliotine that night was surpassed by Brock’s awful hammerfists in the eyes of many, and that kinda’ rubs me the wrong way. [/quote]
Excellent point, Raul! I like the word “greatness” for that Nog sub…the transitions that led to the guillotine showed a master and his art.
There is a difference in fans and we have all known it for a long time…hence the popularity of a one-trick pony like Chuck Liddell. Some people want to see the KO, and no doubt, striking can be the great equalizer. The IceMan showed us that with a long string of defenses against so many grapplers.
Still, I think we are all blameless. There is definitely an elemement of brutality and violence that works in MMA. There is an excitement that surrounds the striking aspect of the sport…after all, the casual fan isn’t going to be in to AADC. This latest EliteXC highlighted that. Even the event name touted that this would not be a technical match, just a street fight. I agree, toughman contests are not good for the sport, but the exposure will draw some fans that will see more than the lowest common denominator…the rest will go back to watching Internet fighting. Don’t lose heart, overall the sport is becoming more technical.
WAR – Yves Edwards fight!
True enough SaVaGe. I do have to admit that while loving the BJJ aspect and mat-supremacy aspect of the sport, of course that a good KO absolutely makes me grab my head and scream a profanity into the room, as hey- it definitely is exciting seeing a well timed shot shutting someone’s lights off.
Problem begins when a brutal KO is ALL the fans want to see. I’ll take an armbar over a KO any day of the week, it’s simply that much more exciting to me, though I understand of course the issue of different strokes.
I do hope you’re right about the hope some of the fans brought in by names such as Tank and Kimbo will stay and learn to enjoy amazingly gifted fighters who do not neccessarily rush in with the 1 shot 1 kill mentality.
Glad I started posting btw, after enjoying lurking on this blog for a few good months now
That was the trashiest display of performance I have ever seen.
Put him up against Sean Gannon again guarantee he gets crushed
IMO,Kimbo is WAY overrated,that gets discussed enough.He prob.
would not get half the hate he does,if his handlers didn’t
tout him as the “Next Big Thig” and match him w/bums.
Unfortunately,w/MMA in general and EliteXC in particular,it’s
a buisness;they’ll milk this guy ’til he’s exposed.
What I really wanted to comment on was the porn/MMA connection
Granted,a porn company as a sponsor is funny,but prob. not
smart.However,to claim it as an albatross is a bit overboard.
You’ve Tito Ortiz,one of the biggest,most recognized MMA guys
dating Jenna Jameson,world’s most known sex-performer.UFC is
based out of Las Vegas,where prostitution is legal and all
sorts of vice is permitted.Routinely,porn-starlets&Dennis Hof
and his Bunny-Ranch whores are in attendance,sometimes even
backstage,at weigh-ins,etc.And didn’t I hear Pitbull Arlovski
dates a Penthouse Pet?
As an aside,I saw a pic here where Chuck Liddell was at a party looking very drunk and next to him was a guy/girl
dancing half naked.
I don’t necessarily agree any of this is in the best long-term interests of the sport,but it is what it is.To get POed
at Kimbo alone is a tad disingenious.
“You’ve Tito Ortiz,one of the biggest,most recognized MMA guys
dating Jenna Jameson,world’s most known sex-performer.UFC is
based out of Las Vegas,where prostitution is legal and all
sorts of vice is permitted.Routinely,porn-starlets&Dennis Hof
and his Bunny-Ranch whores are in attendance,sometimes even
backstage,at weigh-ins,etc.And didn’t I hear Pitbull Arlovski
dates a Penthouse Pet?
As an aside,I saw a pic here where Chuck Liddell was at a party looking very drunk and next to him was a guy/girl
dancing half naked.
I don’t necessarily agree any of this is in the best long-term interests of the sport,but it is what it is.To get POed
at Kimbo alone is a tad disingenious. ”
You have great examples about the audience but I have yet to see the next Rambo film advertised along with Bang Bros. I haven’t looked at the Octagon mat and seen the Xbox360 emblem next to the M.I.L.F. Hunter. Those are personal life examples, and believe me I am not faulting them for that, but Tito and Arlovski are not posting up Penthouse or “Jenna’s Wild Nights” on their T-shirts or mentioning them after the fights in their promotions. If MMA breaks into mainstream (ESPN or ABC), I strongly believe those folks you mentioned will not get the camera time in the audience. Nobody’s Poed at Kimbo, I made a suggestion that MAY help the sport and him break out. I don’t think folks want to watch MMA and have to deal with a bunch of donkeys running around with a “Reality Kings” Banner during every break (as was the case at UM during EliteXC’s show).
And UFC is based in Las Vegas because of the licensing. In most states, MMA organizations fight an uphill battle (I’ll stand corrected if I’m wrong but I think thats the case).
They’re going to be really careful with Kimbo. He’s a money machine and any instant loss brings his value and marketability down. They’ll match him up against bums until they absolutely have to match him up against more skill, slowly getting him entertaining wins. This also gives him time to get his skills honed. Bo is a fighter like the rest of them. He’s in good shape and there’s no reason why he can’t learn the rest of mma skills. What is it about wrestling or Judo that can’t be learned beyond hard work? Any idiot can learn this stuff with enough time and work ethic! Bo already has raw skill so he has plenty of potential. Just because he started out as a street brawler doesn’t mean he can’t expand his skill base.
he’s a gold mine though. marketing galore.
Wow, you weren’t kidding about Yves’ knockout! Here is the whole fight: http://youtube.com/watch?v=e3S3oBkNOGo
just an aside, prostitution is not legal in Clark County (where Las Vegas is).
but that certainly doesn’t slow down the business much!