"Kimbo Slice Sucks"...Does It Matter?
by Michael Rome on Oct 1, 2009 10:00 PM EDT
in News
112 comments
Last night we all got a fact reaffirmed that many of us knew all along. To quote his new boss and promoter, Dana White, "Kimbo Slice sucks." How much does it matter? A lot.
Forgive me if I'm skeptical about his new training at ATT. We've heard this story before, only it was Bas Rutten last time. A lot of journalists and fans assume that all it takes is hard work to get good at this sport. It takes a lot more. Even if Kimbo trains every day, he probably will never be a competitive mixed martial artist at the elite level.
In 2008, Dana White bet on Brock Lesnar while Gary Shaw bet on Kimbo Slice. White gambled on Lesnar because he hoped that Lesnar's amateur wrestling background and size advantage would make him competitive in an otherwise weak division. It was a big gamble, and it paid off in spades. The difference between Kimbo and Brock isn't just work ethic, it's ability, and that's something that isn't going to change.
They're already running cheap tricks by teasing Kimbo could come back. I don't think he will. If they're as smart as I think they are, they'll tease it over and over without delivering, and then announce Kimbo's next fight in December. Who will he fight? There are rumors he could drop to 205 and fight Houston Alexander, but I remain skeptical. I think they will pair him up with whoever is the worst wrestler this season. Sadly, Joe Silva's job is now to find fighters that with the right kinds of weaknesses so Kimbo has a chance.
At the same time, you can't ignore the benefits. The UFC will bring these numbers to networks, who won't be able to deny the UFC's reach when the ratings in the 18-34 demographic rivaled all but the biggest NFL games. I suspect these numbers will really help the UFC get the network deal they want.
Further, six million people tuned in to see Roy Nelson last night. There is no other way six million people would have ever heard of Roy Nelson if not for Kimbo Slice. All of those fans were also exposed to a barrage of UFC 104 advertisements, as well as a number of great lines from Rampage Jackson. Nobody can argue that any of this is bad for the sport.
Looking at the UFC 107 card, I would guess at this point that it will do around 500,000 buys on pay per view. Add in Kimbo Slice vs. Houston Alexander, and I'd bump my estimate to around 650,000. That wouldn't just benefit the UFC, it would also benefit all the fighters that get bonuses based on how well the shows do. Will BJ Penn complain if he makes another $500,000 if Kimbo Slice is on his show? I suspect he'd be thrilled.
Dana White has some serious decisions to make at this point. They wisely positioned Kimbo as an amateur looking to learn how to fight last night, and they could probably get away with putting him on Fight Night cards against other bad fighters for a year or two to bump the ratings. None of that sounds too offensive, but it could become a real problem when a Fight Night features a guy like Gray Maynard who can't get a word in edgewise because the entire show is really based around Kimbo Slice.
Kimbo Slice sucks, and that matters. These kind of promotional tricks work in the short run, but they don't work forever. If he doesn't improve, and he can't win a fight, then he should not be in the UFC, regardless of whether he draws in big ratings.
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+1 more point...Kimbo cannot beat any HW in the UFC right now
The UFC needs to bring back in another 1-dimensional fighter, Houston Alexander, that has no ground game either for him to compete with.
I hope Dana does not keep this charade going.
by dohfil on Oct 2, 2009 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thank you, Michael Rome
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
by thetakeover on Oct 2, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I heard the rumor about Kimbo vs Alexander the other day at LHW. I’m not sure if Kimbo could cut down to 205. Has he ever cut weight before? Kimbo vs Alexander should be a loser goes home fight.
by steveoc24 on Oct 1, 2009 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m getting really tired of seeing all this “Kimbo sucks” garbage. The guy was rocking Roy on the feet and wasn’t able to do much on the ground. For anyone that does grapple, I think you’ll recall your first time grappling with someone with much more experience: You feel like a baby.
Is Kimbo a star athlete? Probably not. He works hard and its not like he is totally useless. He’s brave enough to put himself on the line, and I think that deserves respect.
by HeroCasey on Oct 1, 2009 10:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nobody ever said the guy doesn’t deserve respect, but all the respect in the world won’t make him a good fighter. This wasn’t Kimbo’s “first time grappling” and the fact is at his age he probably can’t improve enough to make himself even satisfactory on the ground. He may have rocked Roy once or twice but let’s not pretend like the guy was close to KO’ing Nelson because he wasn’t.
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by ufc4 on Oct 1, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kimbo seems like a pretty great guy, and I definitely have respect for him as a person. And yeah, he’s fair to middlin’ on his feet, and has “certified” knockout power. I guess the question I have is, why didn’t he spend the last year relentlessly working his ground game? A good athlete who’s dedicated and has the free time to put in can improve a lot in a year. It just doesn’t look like he’s made much improvement since Elite XC went down, and as you say, he’s in his mid-thirties already. If he really was working hard over the past year, it didn’t show up against Roy. It isn’t disrespecting him to have an honest appraisal of his potential in the UFC. So, maybe “sucks” sounds harsh, but it’s also dead accurate when comparing him to UFC heavyweights. I wish him good luck though.
by Kwisatz Haderach on Oct 1, 2009 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Kimbo. He comes across as a pretty down to earth and hardworking guy. The problem is he isn’t very good. Before yesterday’s episode aired everyone talked about how good a fight he put on, only to find out that was a gross exaggeration. He was dominated. He kept it standing for 2 of the 8 minutes, while Roy Nelson dictated everything on the ground. There is nothing he showed to suggest even a mediocre future, not even this supposed knockout power he has. People need to remember that his only real KO is against Tank Abbot, a man who was 1-7 in his previous 8 fights and been KOed 5 times in that span.
I was cheering for Kimbo, I really was, but this charade has got to end. If UFC 105 or Fedor vs Rogers can’t beat last nights stunt fight in viewers I am going to seriously question the progress of this sport.
by nottheface on Oct 2, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Wrong
Arlovski “rocked” Roy on the feet after the standup. Kimbo got in a few shots that may have been decent. The difference is Arlovski won; Kimbo got taken down and worked.
BOOSH
by Farthammer on Oct 2, 2009 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Your point might carry some weight if Kimbo was actually new to the sport but he has been around for 2 to 3 years now and he still has zero skill on the ground. When a guy has been training for years yet his game hasn’t improved then it is a real strong sign that it won’t. Lets not forget that Kimbo is 35, he doesn’t have the time to slowly grow into it.
by who me on Oct 2, 2009 8:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
From Fightlinker
Honestly, as much as I want to like Kimbo, I just don’t think he can make it at this level. It must have been hard on him to promote this fight while knowing he lost.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by themachiavellian on Oct 1, 2009 10:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If only the WEC still had a heavyweight division
Go get that bread, Kimbo Slice. - Mike Fagan
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Oct 1, 2009 10:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The ratings for Zuffa is very risky… what happens if Couture vs Vera cant beat this (which is likely)? If Couture vs Vera can get close then no harm done as these types of fighters can be produced consistently maintaining the integrity of the sport – you can’t continue to create cartoon characters and NOT degrade the sport…
If Showtime with a live show on CBS cant beat a taped show on spike – it will be embarrassing.
I’m shocked their not placing foot to throat in getting Gina on this card… Let’s see what they can do with Bobby Lashley.
by mmalogic on Oct 1, 2009 10:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow.
Is there really no middle ground between “elite” and “sucks” anymore? Is Kimbo an elite heavyweight? Of course not. Does that mean that the only other option is, “he sucks”?
by Kierkegaard on Oct 1, 2009 10:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No, that’s not the only other option, but he does in fact suck. You remember his last fight before this right?
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by ufc4 on Oct 1, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course theres a middle ground – its called the undercard.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 1, 2009 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where the bread is scarce for most…
by Kwisatz Haderach on Oct 1, 2009 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If it
waddles like a duck and quakes like a duck…..
seriously, Kimbo is a one trick pony, knock out power is all he has, and he didn’t even display that in the fight. If he had shown some improvement on the ground, then there would be a case for “middle ground”, but he hasn’t, so here we are.
by proflex on Oct 1, 2009 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
List of HW's for Kimbo
Mostapha al Turk
Tim Hague
Stefan Struve.
These are the only HW’s on the UFC roster i can see Kimbo beating, and he might not even beat them
Go get that bread, Kimbo Slice. - Mike Fagan
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Oct 1, 2009 10:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
All of them are ground fighters.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Oct 1, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like i said, this are the only ones i think he has a chance with and he might not beat them ( He can if he can keep it standing ) haha
Go get that bread, Kimbo Slice. - Mike Fagan
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Oct 1, 2009 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could Kimbo even reach Struve's head?
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by themachiavellian on Oct 1, 2009 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kimbo vs. Pat Berry would be interesting.
by steveoc24 on Oct 1, 2009 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At least it won’t go to the ground! But really? I think Barry who wreck Kimbo’s lead leg within two minutes and proceed to knock him out.
by Kwisatz Haderach on Oct 1, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Uh, how? Barry would thrash Kimbo.
by Michaelthebox on Oct 1, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like english muffins with blackberry jam.
Err, I mean, is you crazy?
I specializes in grammar fail.
by a tommy point on Oct 1, 2009 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
List of LHW's for Kimbo
Razaak al Hassan
Houston Alexander
Stephen Bonnar
Forrest Griffin ( I think a KO is possible here)
Kyle Kingsbury
Elliot Marshall
Igor Pokrajoc
Eric Schafer
James Irvin
Go get that bread, Kimbo Slice. - Mike Fagan
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Oct 1, 2009 10:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
lol, Bonnar would destroy him, Forrest would destroy him, Eliot is a solid BJJ blackbelt, Schafer is strong BJJ guy and Irvin has far superior striking. time to face facts.
www.knees2thehead.com
Check it out!!
by BJJDenver on Oct 1, 2009 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll be shocked if he can make 205. 230+ right now, zero weight cutting experience, pretty cut as it is, and 35 years old. I don’t see this being a viable option.
by Kwisatz Haderach on Oct 1, 2009 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One more thing...
I’m not trying to pile onto a “Kimbo sucks” bandwagon or anything. It’s actually cracking me up to see how desperate we’ve all become to see him do well. I just can’t see it happening. Hope Kimbo can cash in his chips, and help build the UFC towards a big network deal, before this experiment gets stale. Anyone pinned, with his arm trapped, in a regular UFC fight, would probably get busted up pretty badly with elbows and hard punches. Roy, counting punches with a bored look on his face, rolling his eyes at Herb Dean, was merciful, IMO.
by Kwisatz Haderach on Oct 2, 2009 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not a list of who he can beat, but who he has a chance with
Go get that bread, Kimbo Slice. - Mike Fagan
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Oct 2, 2009 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Forrest Griffin on the list is absurd. I know hating on him is the cool thing to do now, but at the very least he’s a top 10 fighter. Rampage didn’t knock him out- Kimbo has no chance in hell.
by BilboMcFonzie on Oct 2, 2009 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s the point, he has no chance with those guys, other than the punchers chance he would have against anyone. Listing him as having a chance against very good, BJJ blackbelts, is ridiculous. that is exactly the kind of guys you would want to avoid.
For instance, Eliot is taller and bigger guy than Kimbo. He walks around at 240. No doubt a big shot from Kimbo would put him down, as it would just about anyone.
A guy like Irvin, is more the type, but Irvin’s striking is far superior to Kimbo’s. I would say teh ideal match up at LHW, would be a limited low level TUFer or someone of the Houston Alexander skillset.
www.knees2thehead.com
Check it out!!
by BJJDenver on Oct 2, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
??
Are you kidding me? Kimbo wouldn’t have a chance in any of these.
Favorite Blogs:
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www.milehighreport.com
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by brohamm1978 on Oct 2, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Best Fight Ever?
Without a doubt the fight last night was one of the best ever in MMA history. These guys fought with more heart than anyone I have ever seen in bars. The only thing that would have made it better is if they would have gassed a lot sooner. DANA WHITE NEEDS TO QUIT BASHING OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND PEOPLE LIKE HERSCHEL WALKER BECAUSE HE HAS ALLOWED THIS WHOLE TUF THING ON SPIKE TO BECOME EVERYTHING HE HATES ON!!! CIRCUS SHOWS, AMATEUR FIGHTERS THINKING THEY ARE SOMETHING THEY’RE NOT, AND PEOPLE CAPITALIZING ON IT (LIKE HE IS WITH THIS SEASON OF TUF). I WATCH THE SHOW NOW FOR THE ANTICS, RAMPAGE’S COMMENTS, AND THE CIRCUS IT HAS BECOME.
by hoopaloop on Oct 1, 2009 10:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You need one of these!
On a serious note…this is his job. He hypes his programming on TV and his PPV’s. He disparages the competition to his own company’s benefit.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Oct 1, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps you are taking this stuff a bit too seriously, no reason to yell at everyone just because Dana White actually acts like a fight promoter.
by who me on Oct 2, 2009 8:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, this is almost as inscrutable as that fanpost about how cute Mike Swick is.
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
by thetakeover on Oct 2, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
very insightful article, usage of the word "sucks" the only problem
as leland wrote about earlier today, kimbo deserves some praise for all the things he’s done right.
it’s not necessary to say kimbo “sucks.” say he doesn’t have and won’t be able to learn the skills necessary to compete in the UFC. that’s fine and sadly is probably true. but saying someone sucks, when they’ve been humble and done their best… it just comes off nasty bro.
by GregS123 on Oct 1, 2009 10:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He’s quoting Dana White.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 1, 2009 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just had a scary thought. Ken Shamrock’s got a pending lawsuit against Zuffa, not that he has a chance. What if, and I mean a big “what if”, Zuffa changes a mere nuisance lawsuit into an enormous moneymaker by putting on Kimbo vs Shamrock?
by bubbafat on Oct 1, 2009 11:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Woot! Than the transformation from White to Shaw would be complete! * insert mad scientist laughter *
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 1, 2009 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s fucking demented. But stranger things have happened… right?
I love me some Sexyama!
by pud333 on Oct 1, 2009 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That might actually be winnable for Kimbo.
by asa on Oct 3, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t give Kimbo a chance if he loses his fight at the finale, which is a given fight to happen obviously at this point, if they put him up against Cantwell he will lose, which I have a feeling they will do.
If Kimbo loses his fight in the finale, he will have lost to a jab(seth), lost having absolutely no ground game what-so-ever(roy), and there is no place in the UFC’s revamped heavyweight division for him(zero!).
Ironically if he had entered the UFC at the same time he entered EliteXC he could have been somewhat of an enigma and been matched up in many great fights and his legend could have been somewhat carved out against lower tier 1-2 fight contractors.
Now there are many contenders at HW emerging, Dos Santos, Duffee, Velasquez, Carwin, also an entire cast of a TuF show who may or may not be worse than Kimbo.
He has a huge following, but it is difficult to judge whether or not his reputation has diminished after getting beat up by a man who ordered a Whopper after the fight.
by DirtyML on Oct 1, 2009 11:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree with fagan, it does matter. Or it should.
While BJ Penn may enjoy the extra money from PPV numbers, that deserving guy who gets shafted to the undercard and a $3000 payday won’t be too happy.
I like Kimbo as a person, but after Wednesdays performance I have given up wanting to see him do anything. He looked the same as he did when he was in EXC, with the exception that his takedown defense had improved a bit. He had ZERO ground game… he didn’t even bother to lift a leg to try to prevent getting mounted which I think would be extremely basic.
Whats the old saying… “foo me once, shama… me foome, foolala… ya see, ya cant get fooled again.”. I bought into the BS about how impressive he had become and surprises etc.. Not again. If he hasn’t improved in all the training he should have been doing since EXC, then there’s no hope for him.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 1, 2009 11:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Should give Cro Cop one last fight
"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn
by Day Man on Oct 1, 2009 11:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The “right kick, hospital. Left kick, cemetary” saying is bad ass… but I like Kimbo and don’t want to see it come to fruition in real life.
by kid_eh on Oct 2, 2009 2:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
/\ This
Cro-Cop vs. Kimbo is genius matchmaking.
UFC badly needs a headliner. This is it.
Make it happen Dana.
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
by thetakeover on Oct 2, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cro Cop is retired :\
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Then Cro-Cop might give up if he gets hit. Cro-Cop not the same dominant fighter as before
Favorite Blogs:
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www.yardbarker.com
www.milehighreport.com
www.bleacherreport.com
by brohamm1978 on Oct 2, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oddly enough, the French word for “bread” is “pain”.
Keep firing Assholes!
The Leafs are back!
by Ubernoober on Oct 1, 2009 11:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And the German word for “poison” is “gift”.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, you’re just confused, Germans traditionally give gifts of poison to neighboring countries.
Keep firing Assholes!
The Leafs are back!
by Ubernoober on Oct 2, 2009 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Au Bon Crucifix
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
by thetakeover on Oct 2, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kimbo Slice Sucks
Very true. This is why it’s such a delicate balancing act for Zuffa. If they push Kimbo too much and he’s always losing, it could be silly, but if they utilize Kimbo just enough, then it could be really beneficial. I personally wouldn’t mind if Zuffa fed Kimbo a couple easy (easier?) fights if that means more new fans will notice BJ Penn, Anderson Silva, GSP, Machida, Couture, etc. Sure, this would be watering down the product and Hardcores would see right through it, but if that means more new eyeballs to the sport, then so be it. I had a huge problem with how EliteXC promoted Kimbo, but Kimbo on a card with other quality fighters, and NOT the main event, then I don’t mind. It’s all a means to an end.
I love me some Sexyama!
by pud333 on Oct 1, 2009 11:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think it really maters if he wins or loses, Kimbo is absolutely facinating.
Keep firing Assholes!
The Leafs are back!
by Ubernoober on Oct 1, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He definitely is. I can’t recall a time when I was so interested in a fighter’s behaviour and demeanour. Except maybe when Machida said he drinks his piss in the morning. That’s the stuff of superheroes. :)
I love me some Sexyama!
by pud333 on Oct 1, 2009 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
SBNation Presents BloodyKimboElbow.
:P
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on Oct 2, 2009 12:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I want to see him shave that beard and go away. He’s made some good money posing as an MMA fighter.
by JOOK on Oct 2, 2009 12:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 12:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dude thats scary looking. I’m about to go to bed and I don’t want to have nightmares. =( lol
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on Oct 2, 2009 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry :)
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 2:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What I was hearing is that the UFC is looking for an “exciting” fighter as an opponent for Kimbo, who would stand and bang with him (no ground game) that is not currently with the UFC. Take that for what its worth.
Also, Rome, I believe Kimbo comes back to fight int TUF (not to mention in the FInale and in a UFC event beyond that).
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 2, 2009 12:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Mark my words
Kimbo will be fighting in the UFC for the rest of his career. Don’t care if it’s 2 fights or 20. There’s no reason to get rid of him – there are people out there who will ALWAYS buy his fights. And he will pick up some wins here and there so it’s not an obvious joke to the casual fan.
BOOSH
by Farthammer on Oct 2, 2009 1:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And that's what people here don't get..
“Kimbo Slice Sucks”….Does It Matter?
Uhh…NO, ROME. IT DOESN’T MATTER! Why? ‘Cause people that like Kimbo as a Person will go and watch his fights and root for him to win. He’d be the quintessential underdog(not sherdog…lol) of the UFC. Everyone loves an underdog, you know? :)
by BNTHIS on Oct 3, 2009 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My prediction:
Kimbo comes back, fights someone else, and knocks him out. And everyone changes their tone once again.
by goodbones on Oct 2, 2009 1:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't know why
We know all we need to know about Kimbo. He has a powerful punch. Why would him knocking someone out change anyones tone?
He still won’t have any ground game. His standup will be mediocre. He will still be the one trick pony that he is. And I say this liking the guy on a personal level – anyone who buys into him being a serious fighter in the UFC is the kind of person who buys a deodorant because the commercial says it will get him laid.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Check the video out i just posted
Go get that bread, Kimbo Slice. - Mike Fagan
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Oct 2, 2009 2:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just saw it
very interesting.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Zuffa has been very clever throughout all this. Dana and co. have carefully created a strong buzz around Kimbo by promoting him as someone with immense talent, but little training and experience. Essentially an underdog people want to root for. It’s a nice story and it creates good ratings.
The problem is Kimbo can’t fight. He was taken down fairly easily and got completely dominated on the ground. The only way for Zuffa to maintain this high level of ratings with Kimbo is to put him in fights with fighters who can’t wrestle or pull a Shaw and pay opponents to stand up with Kimbo.
Unless he quickly picks up serious ground skills it will become obvious Kimbo is not a UFC caliber heavyweight and Zuffa will cut him from its roster.
by Andy R on Oct 2, 2009 1:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dana and co. have carefully created a strong buzz around Kimbo by promoting him as someone with immense talent, but little training and experience.
At this point, I’m not sure who believes that anymore. Since EXC he’s had nothing but training… how long can they keep up the illusion?
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 2:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They don’t really need to maintain any illusion for the hardcores—we never believed in Kimbo much anyway.
The casual fans and non-fans don’t know what goes on beyond what Zuffa tells them.
by Michaelthebox on Oct 2, 2009 3:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sadly, true.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How about we give him a bit more time and training before throwing him and his career under the bus, huh?
I still believe he can be a competent MMA fighter. And yeah he doesn’t have a ground game but his showing that he can defend a takedown attempt shows PROGRESS and the ability to actually LEARN.
So what if he’s old? It’s not like he’s in his mid 40’s like Randy or something. Kimbo ain’t challenging anyone for a title. He just wants to fight for respect…and money.
by BNTHIS on Oct 3, 2009 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh and did you see him actually do a Low-Leg Kick?
More progress….
by BNTHIS on Oct 3, 2009 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Slice Vs. Buentello (after he gets wrecked by Duffman).
by Big4Nuthin' on Oct 2, 2009 2:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Kimbo will get ate alive
Go get that bread, Kimbo Slice. - Mike Fagan
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Oct 2, 2009 2:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All I gotta say is I love Kimbo. It sucks that he sucks, but I like him man.
by Razzel on Oct 2, 2009 2:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I like Kimbo too. Seems like a good man and a great friend to BBQ with :)
Go get that bread, Kimbo Slice. - Mike Fagan
by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Oct 2, 2009 2:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the Kimbo hype baloon has popped
Most of his youtube hits were from people who knew nothing about mma and thought he was the baddest dude round , or from mma fans who laughed at these people and tried to tell them he sucks. Now he got koed by a jab from a UFC dropout and lost another tko to a fat dude (which has skills , but many people don’t even know that). So does anyone really care about him anymore ? The people that know about mma won’t buy a UFC ppv just because Kimbo is in there. I’m expecting a major drop in TUF numbers next episodes , the UFC will try to ride this baby as long as they can (just like Elite did) but I think this was ridden to the extent . As this article says Kimbo can’t fight , his Tank Abbott fight was the exception not the rule (and come on , it was freaking Abbott)
by JoelMan on Oct 2, 2009 3:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I got news for you, man..
Yeah…Kimbo can’t wrestle for shit but that still doesn’t mean people won’t watch and ROOT FOR HIM to get a win.
His likeable persona that he’s created will have more fans in his corner when he is finally in the UFC than he did when he was fighting on Youtube.
sorry but Kimbo will be around for awhile. Dana will make sure of that. And so will the fans who like an honest-to-god underdog fighting for respect(and money…lol) in the UFC.
by BNTHIS on Oct 3, 2009 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what i think is crazy is that hes been training mma for what 3 yrs now and has absolutely zero ground game…he hasnt fought in a year so i wouldve thought hes been training this whole time but apparently not. i thought it was funny that all the guys i knew thought kimbo was gonna tear through the tuf house and win the show…i knew better but kept my mouth closed, a couple of those guys saw the light after that show
"The most used phrase in my administration if I were to be President would be "What the hell you mean we're out of missiles?"
The Glenn Beck Program, January 12 2009 lp.org
by baldspot23 on Oct 2, 2009 5:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No doubt
I was one of the people who had a ‘feeling’ that Kimbo might actually do well and win. Wow was I wrong… He really should consider getting into boxing, or kickboxing (he did land a legkick!) because I’m not sure how long the UFC will be able to find people with no ground game to fight Kimbo.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You guys are right, Kimbo is not very good at MMA
What he has become now is a professional celebrity. He’ll do some talk shows, and in a couple of years when his fighting career is done, he’ll play the heavy in a couple of movies, and maybe show up on one of those, Im a Celbrity, get me out of here type shows. He may even show up on dancing with the stars. The bottom line is Kimbo has won. If he’s smart, he can take it easy and never work a 9 to 5 job for the rest of his life.
by Cmad77 on Oct 2, 2009 7:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m just waiting for SpikeTV to give Kimbo his own tv show. I have a feeling that regardless of what the UFC does Kimbo has found a home on Spike due to his reality show ratings.
by who me on Oct 2, 2009 10:08 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
The Odd Couple – Starring Kimbo Slice and Junie Browning.
Brought to you by the execs at Spike TV!
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kooking with Kimbo
Manly meals for real men!
:D
by who me on Oct 2, 2009 11:33 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
And while he is bad at MMA, like Dana said, he will always be “The toughest guy at the BBQ”. I would never get in his face on the street and tell him how much he sucks. That’s probably a good way to end up in the hospital.
by Cmad77 on Oct 2, 2009 7:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Which MMA fighter would you say that to? :\
Also, I think if you said that to Kimbo he’d probably shrug you off. Not personal against you, but he seems pretty calm and collected, and wouldn’t fly off in a violent temper tantrum because someone doesn’t like him.
His family on the other hand…. run away from them. (based on the aftermath of the Petruzelli fight).
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Typical stereotype based on how Kimbo looks. If he looks mean, then that means he’s really mean according to what Cmad77 said.
You’re right about Kimbo’s crew though, myth. Seth and his wife were lucky to get out of there alive…..
by BNTHIS on Oct 3, 2009 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even if he cuts to 205 or even if Houston Alexander goes up to HW for the fight I don’t think Kimbo wins that fight. Alexander is much faster than Kimbo and hit like a sadistically-inclined pedophile private school principal with a paddle.
That said, fighters like to work on stuff they like to do. Kimbo likes to hit things, he practices hitting things. If he could develop a smidge of wrestling and some submission defense he could be in entertaining fights in the lower/mid ranked HW… but that is unlikely as previously hinted…
by blawa on Oct 2, 2009 8:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
hits like a sadistically-inclined pedophile private school principal with a paddle.
Gold in it’s purest form.
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Oct 2, 2009 8:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Kimbo can fight anywhere
In the UFC or wherever. Saying he doesn’t deserve to fight in the UFC is baby crap. Would you have him fight in your own promotion for a nice TV deal? Most likely.
UFC would be dumb NOT to use him. It’s big money.
by wandyman on Oct 2, 2009 8:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
UFC 113 just announced:
Main Card:
Mike Tyson vs Kimbo Slice
Fred Willard vs Eddie Murphy
Charles Manson vs the corpse of Tim McVeigh
Ken Shamrock vs Tank Abbott
Megan Fox vs a Gina Carano look alike.
Undercard:
Tim Sylvia vs Hong Man Choi
Bob Sapp vs Keyboard Cat
Gabe Rutiger vs. Kalib Starnes
Gary Coleman vs. a midget Chuck Liddel
Best selling PPV ever. Bank on it.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Megan Fox vs a Gina Carano look alike.
I’d buy that.
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
by thetakeover on Oct 2, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Me too. I’m also glad they decided to put Gabe Rudiger and Kalib Starnes on the undercard. I think that fight may be boring.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not saying the guy has even white belt BJJ/middle school wrestling ground ability, but he did sprawl and stop the initial takedowns okay. He looked good in practice at least. Can I guarantee that he would have put on a better showing against someone else in the house? No, but we can’t forget this was against a black belt in BJJ. A guy that has outpointed Frank Mir in a grappling tournament. Fighting a black belt is hard enough as it is (Hell the tiny dude that beat Jeff Monsoon at ADCC got his black belt afterwards) but then you throw in have a 34 pound weight disadvantage. I get that he didn’t try to work his hips or bridge escape or any of that, but most HWs lack cardio.
I was in a tournament earlier this year and lost one of my bouts because I gassed. I had the dude by about 20 lbs, but I fucked up a take down and wound up in his guard. I swept him, but was so tired couldn’t do anything.
Maybe Kimbo was tired. My cardio’s better than it was in May, but still I would not want to be under Roy Nelson especially after he did try the fence sweep and it didn’t work. That had to take a lot of Kimbo.
by black dragon on Oct 2, 2009 9:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If that were anyone else other than Roy, that Fence Sweep by Kimbo would’ve worked….
by BNTHIS on Oct 3, 2009 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Judging from the last two
episodes of TUF, I now remember why I typically dislike HW matches, not only in MMA but also in Boxing. It just seems like the two fighters gas out way too quickly. Not to say they all do, but this season just seems to display all the reason I dislike HW matches front and center, guys with way too much hype in themselves, shitty cardio, slow ass matches, no attempts to submit or do anything but pound away. If it wasn’t for the fact I got Tivo and can fast forward through most of the BS, I probably wouldn’t be following the show.
I understand that Kimbo is marketable and I do like his interviews…but my god, I hate watching his matches.
"The ball always seems to find Ed Reed...The man is a menace"
by UMBC Oriole fan on Oct 2, 2009 9:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
But…but…you have to understand Kimbo’s Enemy is his Inner….ME. ;)
by BNTHIS on Oct 3, 2009 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Kimbo hype is really starting to get to me
We’ve hardly seen any of any of the other TUF members, including Roy, someone I think they should have been promoting the hell out of. Instead, we get confirmation of what we’ve known all along, and incredible favoritism shown by both Dana AND Rampage. I can’t imagine the other guys are happy about this.
Season ten was supposed to pump up the heavyweight division, so far it’s been the Kimbo slice show, and we’ve seen three horrible fights. This is absurd.
by Shaun32887 on Oct 2, 2009 11:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
but... but...
Kimbo’s training!
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The ever so sad fact is that the reason the ratings have gone from 1 million an episode to between 4-5 million an episode is Kimbo Slice, the vast majority of people now watching TUF are watching just to see Kimbo. Hopefully they will focus on other guys as the show goes on but lets be real when SpikeTV edits this thing it is going to be Kimbo heavy because SpikeTV is primarily interested in the ratings.
by who me on Oct 2, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here is hoping the other guys realize that they need to look impressive. More people are watching these fights than most UFN’s. The eyeballs are there for the taking. Don’t coast like Roy did.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Oct 2, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m sure Wes Sims is chomping at the bit to be impressive and throw some trash talk Frank Mir’s way….
by BNTHIS on Oct 3, 2009 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And tha’ts what makes money, who me.
You really think that without Kimbo there, people would watch this group of Heavyweights??? Please….
They probably wouldn’t even do a TUF : Heavyweights if they didn’t have Kimbo.
by BNTHIS on Oct 3, 2009 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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