Normally I wouldn't write a Kimbo article, but when one of my favorite fighters called out Mr. Slice, I couldn't help myself. The list of names that has called out Kimbo has been riddled with C level fighters until recently. First former UFC LightHeavyweight Champ Chuck Liddell let Kimbo know how much he loved him.
Now two former UFC contenders have added their names to the long list of people not happy with publicity given to slice.
Matt Lindland while on a radio show calls Kimbo "a no talent bum". He goes on to say that if Kimbo wants some of "The Law" he can have some. Honestly I would rather see Lindland concentrate on his own weight-class but if Kimbo and Shaw are dumb enough to pursue this, I'll watch.
Jeff Monson is one of my favorite fighters and has a reputation for being an overall nice guy. I don't know what Kimbo did to piss him off, but Monson wants Kimbo. In a video released on YouTube Monson calls out Kimbo and asks Gary Shaw to make it happen. The video ends with Monson ripping up the ESPN magazine with Mr. Slice's face on the cover.
I honestly don't know why Monson is calling out Slice. I don't think it's an angle by Shaw because Monson would be one of the worst guys to put against Kimbo. Monson is one of the best no-gi grapplers in the business. If James Thompson gave Kimbo trouble on the ground, Monson would give Kimbo all kinds of difficulty.
Monson has fights lined up and doesn't need to go to EliteXC for fights. Monson's political and social views don't lend him to be looking for fights just for a payday.
I think guys who have put their whole lives in the business, like Monson and Lindland are upset that Kimbo is getting the attention he is. Some may call it jealousy, others will say he should earn everything he gets.
If Kimbo wants the respect and attention of a top-tier fighter, beat top-tier guys. Jeff Monson is volunteering to be that stepping-stone.
The video of Lindland and Monson can be see here.
http://promma.wordpress.com/2008/06/20/matt-lindland-calls-kimbo-slice-a-no-talent-bum/
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3 months ago
I would love to see this fight, but we all know it's not going to happen. First off kimbo slice know's what would happen if he fought a real fighter. And second gary shaw is never going to let his meal ticket get hurt. I think shaw got scared when an out of shape nobody almost beat slice. The only people kimbo slice is going to be fighting is more nobody's. Kimbo slice has as much MMA talent as gary shaw has ethics.
3 months ago
Have to agree with Isaac and say amen. Except to mention that it is not jealousy that inspires "Slice" hate, it is that he makes a mockery of true MMA talents when he is lauded for what he does, which falls far short of art and is a travesty to honest practitioners and fans of the sport. I feel that way about English (the language), good grammar and journalism among other things.
3 months ago
as a former MMA fighter and someone who still trains, I would love to see Monson and/or Lindland fight Slice just to show Gary Shaw why Dana White will never let Kimbo fight in the UFC. He would be destroyed easily by either fighter.
3 months ago
You people don't get it do you? Why are all these UFC 'real' fighters calling Kimbo out? They're jealous. Geez, why can't you see this? Kimbo went from nothing to Mainline MMA overnight! He's been thrown in the limelight like no one else has, not even Brockner can match the fame that Kimbo has gotten. UFC fighters are pissed at Kimbo because he's the center of attraction right now. They want a piece of that. They want to kick his butt (especially on TV) so they can say they beat the "great" Kimbo slice. Nothing more. And for the most part they would. But he's only had 3 MMA fights. How many fights have all these UFC greats had already? 15, 20, 30? Lets give Kimbo 15, 20 or 30 fights and THEN see what happens. You people just don't get it. You don't throw a noob street fighter in with the Lions the first fight. That happened to Brockner.. look what happened to him. Mir beat him. Same would happen to Kimbo. Kimbo simply brought has 'drawing' power with him from the net, that's all. UFC fighters are mad because he's getting so much attention. Apples and Apples guys. Wait till he has 10, 15 fights under his belt. Then throw the best at him.
from 3 months ago
He won't get 15-20 fights because Shaw will run out of bums by then and his record will be 8-12. To everyone that says that he is fighting the same level of competition that everyone does when they start. Kimbo's first four opponents including Thompson has a combined record of 33-34. In comparison Fedor's first four guys 40-28. Tim Sylvia's first four guys 45-29.
The only "UFC" fighter to call out Kimbo is Liddell. Monson and Lindland are both former UFC fighters. You're saying Kimbo doesn't deserve a tough fight, I agree. He doesn't deserve a cover on ESPN the magazine and the crazy money Shaw is paying him either.
3 months ago
I don't know where Kimbo is going, neither does anyone else. All you need to know is that Kimbo is a "net phenom". He brought the numbers with him. I don't think it's a secret that Elite is in serious financial trouble. They saw the numbers with Kimbo, and that's where they've put their money. All the hype is net driven. Can Kimbo survive in the MMA world? IF he can get a ground game going as half as good as his stand up, well let's just see. I'm not arguing with you Ryan, I'm just trying to point out why Kimbo is, where he is. Will he stay there? Why not give him his chance and see? I want to back him, but I'm honestly afraid his street insticts are going to hurt him, but.. I don't know...
3 months ago
Monson is jealous with the rest of the fighters that aren't making as much money as they should. They see a back-yard street fighter becoming a MMA superstar and in a sence it kills their image as well as Mixed MArtial Arts itself. So they bash on Kimbo critizing on his perfermance and how they feel Kimbo can be taken down easily. Even Dana White states that Bj Penn can take Kimbo. In my opinion, Kimbo has a bright future. All these negative responses is only going to feed Kimbo into taking their money and fame. He has good hands but he deff needs to work on is ground fighting. Bas Rutten is putting everything on the line for Kimbo. Give them time.
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