Write That Down
Is Kimbo 'TUF' Enough?
By ComcastSports
Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:41:19 GMT
It appears we’ll soon find out. According to an exclusive report from Yahoo Sports!, the former EliteXC heavyweight contender is slated to be one of 16 contestants on the upcoming season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the UFC’s highly successful reality TV series.
Slice is an awkward addition to the cast of Season 10, considering the former web-fighting sensation has been a source of mockery for UFC president Dana White.
The outspoken White, who publicly called Slice a “joke,” a “bum” and many other unprintable aspersions, has repeatedly insisted that Kimbo would never fight contractually with the UFC unless he won his way into the organization via “The Ultimate Fighter.”
That time has come, and though it seems more like a bad joke than credible casting, it could give mixed martial arts a larger dip into the mainstream.
The season, which begins filming Wednesday and will air in September, features only heavyweights, marking the first time the UFC has focused the series on a single weight class. White's decision to cast Slice on “TUF” can be partially attributed to his theory that any fighter should be given a chance. But let's not kid ourselves; the UFC is mostly trying to stack and promote its heavyweight division.
And why shouldn’t they? Just like Brock Lesnar was a great heel in WWE before he transitioned to the UFC, Slice is hated in the MMA world for his street-fighting roots and one-dimensional talent. The two aren’t comparable fighters, but the marketing parallels are undeniable.
What’s even more appealing is that Slice will join the show with UFC former light heavyweight champs Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson as opposing coaches.
The casting comes as a blessing for the embattled Slice who is 3-1 as a professional and hasn’t fought since his knockout-loss to Seth Petruzelli last October.
He's been billed as a legitimate MMA fighter.
Now he has a shot to prove it.
Will you watch or boycott “TUF” 10 with Kimbo Slice? Should he succeed, is he good for the UFC? Can he be a contender or is he a marketing ploy at best? Weigh-in here.
Message Edited by ComcastSports on 06-02-2009 03:49 PM
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Dude, Kimbo is sick, he just needs more training. I think that TUF will be great for him. I want to see more of him.Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:50:27 GMT | Kinghooter
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Kimbo is going to be a marketing bonanza for the UFC. All the TUF competitors for season 10 will be scared out of their minds knowing that one of them has to be the first one to get in the octogon and have their lights put out by Slice. Hope he does well!Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:00:37 GMT | daimondcutter
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me too. Kimbo is a hard **bleep** hitter.Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:07:32 GMT | Kinghooter
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It's tough to say he is a hard hitter but that's it he needs a ground game. Frank Mir or Lesner would take him out quickly but with work he could be a contenderTue, 02 Jun 2009 19:14:44 GMT | bigjuan8387
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I think Kimbo is a one sided fighter, who maybe has a good punch but has nothing else if he meets someone with a solid chin. Maybe he can learn something if he makes it past the first round of TUF. He would be best suited to be on Evans team cause he needs to work on his ground game.Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:15:10 GMT | Dsutherlin
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It will be interesting to see if Kimbo actually responds to the training. Or thinks he can take everyone out and gets slept in the first round. And on another note this will NOT be the first time it's been a single weight-class. The previous two seasons focused on one weight.Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:17:25 GMT | WarNT
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I think most of the Kimbo fans out there are getting alittle ahead of themselves here. Kimbo might be a tough guy and maybe a hard hitter but lets be realistic here. How impressive has he really been? Not at all... and remember guys, Seth Petruzelli knocked him out. Also, there where a few good fighters in Elite XC but clearly not the same level as the UFC, and Kimbo hasn't faught anyone that good yet. Even his wins were weak.Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:19:47 GMT | Bry1215
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Any good grappler with a decent stand-up game will send him home early and probably end his career. MMA has progressed past the era when a guy with only a big punch like Slice or Tank Abbot has any real chance.Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:21:00 GMT | sacrajack
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I agree with Dsutherlin, one sided fighting just won't be enough for UFC. IF ,and it is a big IF, he makes past the first round, he's gonna have forget any of his former fame/infamy and focus on his short-comings.On why White is allowing Slice to enter - I'm sure it's pure publicity. Dana is using another big name to bring UFC into more homes.
Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:23:26 GMT | Doug_Chiz
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give the guy a chance but hes already in arms way if dan white already doesnt like himTue, 02 Jun 2009 19:25:23 GMT | GUMBYMAN
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You obviously know nothing about fighting or fighters. Real fighters fear no one. I am not doubting Kimbo's punching ability, but anyone that knows how to fight in MMA will have an easy time with him in a cage. Any BJJ Blue Belt would tap him in a matter of minutes.Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:25:29 GMT | Dominator32
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its alittle too barbaric for my tasteTue, 02 Jun 2009 19:29:20 GMT | GUMBYMAN
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If Kimbo makes it to the house I will be completely amazed! I will also be glued to the tube every Wednesday!Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:29:58 GMT | Dominator32
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If anyone thinks he will have an ounce of success you are either A.) Dilerious B.) a **bleep**, or C.) have never watched MMA. Petruzelli knocked him out when moving backward against the fence!!! He exposed the weakest chin in the sport. Now we all know why he grows that rediculous beard.... To hide that peice of brown staind glass he calls a chin! **bleep**. Either way though, Dana White is awesome for doing this...Can you say #1 rated show on the network!Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:44:30 GMT | jakdup313
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Slice is a curiousity to many, and I believe will generate quite a bit of interest. Great marketing ploy by White. I don't see him getting very far, this should be fun to watch.Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:45:37 GMT | Busto_the_Pig
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Kimbo is by all means definitely a good street fighter with a great punch and standup skills. So, he can transition into becoming a great striker in MMA. However, he lacks the ground skills, slipping ground traps, kicking, and foot movement. But with anything in life if he practices, focuses and stays determined he can definitely become an all around fighter and a force to be recon'd with in MMA. Also, not to mention he has a huge fan base from the internet. So, many viewers will follow him onto UFC. Which will definitely increase the ratings for Dana White. Its pretty much a publicity stunt by Dana White to allow Slice into TUF.Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:55:11 GMT | oskillz
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Look, Kimbo can knock out street punks and dudes with no training. Thats it.... I saw a video of him on the web getting destroyed by an out of shape skater guy, cause the guy knew MMA. Yea he might bring the hype, but put him in there with the smallest bit of talent and he will get his head cracked, guarenteed....Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:55:48 GMT | sedwards
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Kimbo is a joke - he's going to be the Butterbean of the UFC , not fighting real matches , just a sideshow attraction. He is taking attention away from the talent of the legitimate MMA fighters. He needs to go back to fighting in backyards, with the local bar fighters. As soon as they put him in with someone with talent , ( if they dare ) , it'll show just how lame he really is.Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:57:23 GMT | DelcoCraig
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Look, many other MMA fighter's began from square one. Diego Sanchez is a great fighter in the UFC--All's he was was a great wrestler before he entered the MMA ring. Matt Hughes, another example, had no experience prior to entering the UFC. Throughout all of his fights, he was able to learn some jiu-juitsu and boxing skills.I could go on and on listing fighter's with no MMA experience who now have accelerated in the ranks of the UFC/WEC.
Kimbo slice is no different than the fighters that i just mentioned. He needs good coaching and more fights. He presents an intimidation factor that many other fighter's do not possess.
Come on MMA, give Kimbo a chance like everyone else!!!!!
Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:04:17 GMT | Marx