Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock

[CS]

From mmajunkie.com

Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson will get a shot at a UFC Hall of Fame fighter in his second prime-time appearance on CBS.

EliteXC has paired Slice with Ken Shamrock (26-13-2) in the main event of the third edition of EliteXC CBS Saturday Night Fights on Oct. 4 from the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla. The promotion and CBS will make the official announcement on Tuesday.

"This is the biggest fight that can be made right now," EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "It's bigger than Brett Rogers. It's bigger than Sean Gannon. Millions and millions have been entertained by Ken Shamrock over the years in Japan, in the UFC, and in the WWF, now the WWE. He's the biggest proven pay-per-view commodity in the sport. Together, those two will maximize the eyeballs for mixed martial arts on Oct. 4th."

While Rogers and Gannon were considered as opponents for Slice's fourth pro MMA bout, both carried more risk for EliteXC and Slice than Shamrock. The unbeaten Rogers criticized Slice (3-0) following the former backyard brawler's victory over James Thompson in May. Rogers would easily be the best fighter Slice has faced at this point in his career, and having Slice lose on CBS would be a significant setback for EliteXC as it builds to a major pay-per-view show in early 2009.

Gannon represented risk of different kind. The Boston cop is just 1-1 as a pro and hasn't fought since 2005. He's credited with a street-fight victory over Slice in a scrap that's become something of a legend on YouTube. However, resurrecting the street-fighting past of two fighters with a combined five pro fights between them would have been too much of a sideshow for network TV and alienated scores of MMA purists.

"It's a very, very legit and dangerous fight for both sides," said Shaw. "Ken says he's seen holes in Kimbo's game like Swiss cheese, and he's looking to expose them. And Kimbo Slice is the baddest man standing today in any combat sport."

In the 44-year-old Shamrock, EliteXC re-signs a fighter it cut in April following his knockout loss to Robert Berry in March. While Shamrock's skills have eroded, he's still a name in the sport that has the potential to draw viewers. CBS will promote this as the MMA version of "Rocky versus Clubber Lang" ala Rocky III. It's Shamrock, the wily veteran, looking to prove he still has game against the young wrecking machine Slice.

It could be good TV, even if it's not a great fight.

In an interview with MMAjunkie.com in June, Shamrock said Slice is "not ready" when asked about his development as a big-time fighter. Shamrock will now get a chance to decide firsthand just how much Slice has improved since he was tested against Thompson.

Now I can see where this fight is coming from, EliteXC now having lost over 40 million dollars and just trying to survive and making this fight will get equal more ticket sales and ppv buys and yes it is a fun match up but at the same time are you fucking kidding me? First of all neither of these guys should even be in the main event, Ken's on a like 6 fight losing streak and Kimbo's just been feed opponents over and over again and this time they picked a guy thats been washed up for years.

I really don't see how anyone will really win in this fight, if Kimbo wins then he beat someone who's won two fights in this decade and his last win was over 4 years ago and if ken wins then Kimbo isn't the god Elitexc is trying to make him out to be. Even worse, Shamrock has enough knowledge of MMA that he may actually have a chance to beat Kimbo if they get to the ground.

It doesn't really matter though because even if Kimbo does manage to get by Ken because supposedly Brett Rogers is supposed to face the winner and Kimbo won't stand a chance against him.

[Smacktalks]

I didn't even realise Ken Shamrock still competed, did he ever get his worlds most dangerous man title back when he returned to the UFC from the WWF?

[The Don]

I've never even seen EliteXC... I might have to catch this just to laugh.

[phil]

I didn't even realise Ken Shamrock still competed, did he ever get his worlds most dangerous man title back when he returned to the UFC from the WWF?

Neither did I Paul, but yes, he retained that moniker from his WWF run. Anyways, I think Kimbo is pretty cool but a fight against Shamrock would most likely earn him his first loss, which like CS said would royally fuck EliteXC's plans of making him the cornerstone of their brand.

[Jonny]

Edited August 31, 2008 by Jonny

[The Don]

So Shamrock got cut and he couldn't fight then Kimbo get's his ass handed to him? I call bullshit. Maybe I've watched too much wrestling, but something stinks. Really too bad because I was looking forward to tonight.

Seeing female MMA for the first time was pretty cool, I really hope UFC can get into that market as well. If they do they need to get Gina Carano, she's smoking hot and looked quite impressive. I forget his name (he was fighting Rua I believe) is someone I'd like to see more of once he learns to time his punches and generally get better. Those were some strong looking punches and I do think in the futrue he could be a force to be reckoned with.

Overall I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it. I'll be sure to catch it next time it's on CBS but I don't think I'll order the PPVs...

[Smacktalks]

I thought she was pretty fit on American Gladiators.

[Subrick]

For those who haven't seen it yet, here's the fight between Petruzelli and Kimbo.

[Niles Jansen The Third]

you liking mma makes it seen less cool for other people to like it. go pretend you like the stock market.