The Long-Term Kimbo Game

by TLow on Nov 2, 2009 11:54 PM EST Comment 12 comments

The more I think about it, the more I can’t see the long term logic in the UFC’s pursuing Kimbo Slice.

The short-term benefit is pretty obvious. This season of TUF has enjoyed some great ratings. That means Spike can command a higher price for advertising slots, and it gives Dana White a large amount of mainstream exposure for the UFC’s heavyweight division, which is starting to finally emerge as respectable weight division. Maybe White is looking to use this exposure as a way to leapfrog onto his long sought network deal.

On the other hand, there’s a few problems I see with this. One is Kimbo Slice himself. He’s been the story of the season so far, even though he exited relatively early. White has put a lot of emphasis on Kimbo being a legitimate martial artist. On the other side of the coin, Slice has shown (in my opinion) that he at least had a right to be on the show, when you look at some of the other fighters (see Mitrione/Junk fight.)

In short, the UFC’s given Slice an awful lot of exposure. But what are they going to do with him after UFC 107? Houston Alexander is arguably the worst signed fighter they can put against him, and he’s likely to be a favourite if they indeed fight at UFC 107. If Slice loses, the UFC might be a little bit stuck. Do they bring in some more of the TUF heavyweight fighters? Its difficult to argue that many of them, aside from Nelson (who beat Kimbo) deserve a contract yet.

Even if they did, I think the UFC just has way too much depth to be able to make full use of Kimbo. It’d be difficult to justify bumping any of their PPV fights recently to be replaced with a Kimbo vs Tomato Can fight. They can maybe use him in a limited way for Spike cards. But the UFC has (justifiably) gained a reputation for putting on premier fights, and so I’m not sure Tomato Can fights are the way to go.

On the other hand, Kimbo could be a huge boost to an organisation like Strikeforce, which doesn’t have nearly the depth the UFC does, and could use a celebrity like Kimbo to bring in interest to non-Fedor cards. They have the fighters (Kimbo-James Thompson II?) they can put up against him, and they don’t have the same “problem” of depth the UFC does. It’d be easy to fit him onto a card. If Kimbo does leave, the UFC will have just spent a considerable part of their hype machine creating a name for another organisation. Moreover Dana White would hardly to be able to criticise them for putting on a “freakshow” (like he has in the past) after all the good press the UFC’s given him. DREAM is another organisation that comes to mind, because of their SuperHulk contests. They’d probably love to have Kimbo, complete with heightened MMA profile.

In other words, I think the UFC might be creating a personality that wouldn’t be of much use to them, but potentially of huge use to another organisation. As others have pointed out, even the short term effect of better ratings for TUF might be a mixed blessing, as the UFC hasn’t been putting its best foot forward.

Of course doubting Dana White’s media savvy and business acumen is never a winning game, and he might be a couple steps ahead of all this, but I could see Kimbo being more trouble than good for the UFC in the long run.

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I still think

that a Slice/ Petruzelli rematch would be pretty big. Seth has been doing well in the smaller regional shows, and is always a pretty exciting fighter.

Book it to headline/ co- headline an UFN card

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by ElliotMatheny on Nov 3, 2009 12:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Outside of the TUF 10 finals I don’t see them putting Kimbo on any small events. His asking price (he’s definitely getting more than the other TUF contestants) is probably too high to make it worth it.

by nottheface on Nov 3, 2009 3:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Depends what kind of draw he is

I wonder how Kimbo will do in a PPV? PPV is probably the most efficent use, but if his drawing power is comparatively better with a wider audience then that wouldn’t surprise me really. Post youtube he is really the draw for the most casual of fan (though a lot of us are still intrigued)

by SES 84 on Nov 3, 2009 8:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I think

he brings the intrigue of the casual fan, probably not the kind of guys who aren’t going to order a PPV. He’d bring huge ratings to a live show, which would make his (presumably) high price tag worth it.

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on Nov 3, 2009 5:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

but

Having a key to a ratings conundrum is better than no key at all.

The UFC will find a place for Kimbo as long as he’s marketable. They gave Houston Alexander a long leash because he’s likable and marketable. Kimbo had 10X the market recognition before he set foot in the TUF gym, so what’s to say the UFC won’t let him fight out 3-4 fights (even if they’re losses), maybe one at a catch-weight? If he loses 3-4 times over 1.5-2 years, he will be considered a has/never-been.

I think that Kimbo will be a boost to ratings, a boost to Houston’s profile (if Houston wins), and even in defeat, he will be a fighter than fans pull for. Let Dana milk that for a couple of years. He doesn’t need a long term plan.

Being overrated is overrated.

by bobby g on Nov 3, 2009 1:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Totally agree

They will get value of of 3-4 fights. The article points out legitimately that Kimbo could very quickly cause a credibility problem, but at the same time having fighters is a no lose proposition as long as your not overly reliant on them.

by SES 84 on Nov 3, 2009 8:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

3 or 4 fights is all they need right now.

If in 3 to 4 fights kimbo has turned into a legit prospect, that’s great for the UFC. If in 3 to 4 fights Kimbo has washed out of the UFC, they’ve killed his draw, and he is now useless to Strikeforce, and Dana can say that he gave the guy a shot, and he was right when he was talking shit about Elite XC. It’s a win-win.

by Phildo on Nov 3, 2009 9:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Surely giving Kimbo a bit of leeway and time to develop a little more experience would be a sound investment.

There are plenty of people from the show he could be paired up against. Maybe someone else who had a narrow loss and thus they can both try to earn redemption. Also avoids throwing him in the deep end.

by TheBeaves on Nov 3, 2009 8:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

How many people have ever bought a Kimbo PPV?

He gets great numbers on free tv and online, that’s where he should be used. He’s not going to be getting huge amounts of money, so they can definitely park him on Spike, ratings will go through the roof, and Zuffa and Spike will make up the cost of his contract via sponsors and publicity.

by Phildo on Nov 3, 2009 9:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

The long term Kimbo game is Kimbo opens a steak house in Vegas and Miami.

by Reciprocity on Nov 3, 2009 3:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well

at least he could count on Justin Wren’s business, apparently Kimbo’s a really good cook

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on Nov 3, 2009 5:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The UFC doesn’t need a long term Kimbo strategy.

The man is past his prime, athletically. Let Kimbo and the UFc make as much money in the short term as they can, then move on.

It’s not like he’s ever going to be a serious contender. It would be a sad day when the UFC’s Heavyweight Champion’s legitimacy is questioned because he didn’t go through Kimbo Slice.

Dana is smart. Put on a few fights within his capability of winning, milk the situation for all it’s worth, then release him. Whatever organization picks up a Kimbo on a 3-4 fight losing streak can have him. No loss. If he goes on a tear, then UFC wins there, too.

by CaptnAmerca on Nov 3, 2009 5:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs