Kimbo has something to prove
Mike Vaught
Issue date: 9/30/09 Section: Sports
The biggest fight of Kimbo Slice's short Mixed Martial Arts career will be this Wednesday against former International Fight League heavyweight champion Roy "Big Country" Nelson on the next episode of Ultimate Fighting Championship's "Ultimate Fighter."
Wednesday's fight against Nelson will be Kimbo's first official MMA fight since being defeated in stunning fashion by Seth Petruzelli. Petruzelli beat Slice by total knock-out just 14 seconds into the first round, and seemingly brought an abrupt end to Kimbo's career.
Ever since the fight, Slice has been labeled as a fraud and a fake by MMA fans and fighters alike.
One of the most notable fighters to belittle Slice was former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir.
"Every time Kimbo Slice fights it sets MMA back," Mir said.
Countless fans share Mir's sentiments and if you have watched the early episodes of this season's Ultimate Fighter, it is obvious that Slice is the man to beat.
They all want to prove their mettle against the most well-known fighter on the show, and some even want to be the one to show the world that Slice does not deserve to be there.
Watching the show, however, I just got the feeling that Slice really wanted to be there and learn from the best.
If you want more proof Slice wants to be in the UFC, you only need to look back to his early MMA career.
When Slice was with the Elite Xtreme Combat, he trained with former UFC heavyweight championship Bas Rutten and boxing instructor Randy Khatami at Rutten's Elite MMA school.
Slice made his MMA and Elite XC debut against Bo Cantrell on Nov. 10, 2007 and won by submission via strikes just 19 seconds into the fight.
His next bout was scheduled for Feb. 26 against the well-known heavyweight Tank Abbot. Slice beat him by knock-out early in the first round as well.
Slice would have to wait until his third fight to face his first real test in the MMA.
Slice was scheduled to fight James Thompson, and Thompson gave Kimbo everything he had.
The fight went three rounds until Kimbo was able to win by TKO after rupturing Thompson's ear. Though it ended in controversy, Slice displayed improved ability as a fighter.
In the post-fight interview, Slice gave credit to his opponent and said he still had a lot to learn and had a long way to go before he was at the level he wanted to be in the MMA.
Wednesday's fight against Nelson will be Kimbo's first official MMA fight since being defeated in stunning fashion by Seth Petruzelli. Petruzelli beat Slice by total knock-out just 14 seconds into the first round, and seemingly brought an abrupt end to Kimbo's career.
Ever since the fight, Slice has been labeled as a fraud and a fake by MMA fans and fighters alike.
One of the most notable fighters to belittle Slice was former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir.
"Every time Kimbo Slice fights it sets MMA back," Mir said.
Countless fans share Mir's sentiments and if you have watched the early episodes of this season's Ultimate Fighter, it is obvious that Slice is the man to beat.
They all want to prove their mettle against the most well-known fighter on the show, and some even want to be the one to show the world that Slice does not deserve to be there.
Watching the show, however, I just got the feeling that Slice really wanted to be there and learn from the best.
If you want more proof Slice wants to be in the UFC, you only need to look back to his early MMA career.
When Slice was with the Elite Xtreme Combat, he trained with former UFC heavyweight championship Bas Rutten and boxing instructor Randy Khatami at Rutten's Elite MMA school.
Slice made his MMA and Elite XC debut against Bo Cantrell on Nov. 10, 2007 and won by submission via strikes just 19 seconds into the fight.
His next bout was scheduled for Feb. 26 against the well-known heavyweight Tank Abbot. Slice beat him by knock-out early in the first round as well.
Slice would have to wait until his third fight to face his first real test in the MMA.
Slice was scheduled to fight James Thompson, and Thompson gave Kimbo everything he had.
The fight went three rounds until Kimbo was able to win by TKO after rupturing Thompson's ear. Though it ended in controversy, Slice displayed improved ability as a fighter.
In the post-fight interview, Slice gave credit to his opponent and said he still had a lot to learn and had a long way to go before he was at the level he wanted to be in the MMA.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 3
inquisitor
posted 10/01/09 @ 9:23 AM CST
Why is it that so many people are entertained by watching somebody beat the crap out of somebody else?
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