Killing Spree: Elite XC and Freakshows
Let it be known that this is not an article on how much I hate Kimbo Slice or MMA businesses that do it all wrong (a.k.a Elite XC). This is not a bash upon Elite XC or the freakshows they find in order to make money.
What this article is all about is finally stating the facts about how Elite XC and Kimbo Slice are slowly taking MMA back to what it used to be considered—a killing spree.
Let's start it all with the freakshow Kimbo Slice. Yes, we all know that he started as a street fighter and was a porn company's main bodyguard for its ladies. Somehow now he is being called by uneducated MMA fans one of the greatest heavyweights in the world—now wait a second.
Most fans saw Kimbo Slice for the first time when he fought Ray Mercer about eight months ago. He took him out within the beginning of the first round.
Then, he was put up against a man that uneducated MMA fans saw as one of the best ever, Tank Abott. But, for those who have studied and are educated within the sport, know that Tank Abott has won two fights since 1998. But that is beside the point upon which this argument is being made.
Kimbo came in against a drunk Tank Abott, and yes, he took care of him fairly quickly with a few wild left and right haymakers and left Tank Abott on the floor with his Jim Beam stench.
Again, some decided that this fight had made Kimbo a legitimate fighter who could be put into ranks with Fedor, Barnett, Aleksander, Mirko, and so on and so forth.
Now those were some big words coming from such small victories.
Then, came the word that CBS was going to put Elite XC into the spotlight by putting them on in prime time with their freakshow leading the way.
Kimbo was scheduled to fight Thompson, a man that had been knocked out in his last four fights. But still CBS made it sound like it would be the greatest night in all of sports.
So I thought I would give them a chance and Kimbo also. So, I sat there watching this event and right off the bat it took a U-turn toward the WWE. Busta' Rhymes rapping for Bret Rodgers? Really? That's the most embarrassing thing I've ever seen (so far).
It started out unprofessional and only got worse when Rodgers won his fight with a TKO that looked like two stoned kids trying to backyard wrestle.
The saddest thing was that before the main event even happened, the best fight they had was Gina Corano....wait a minute...yes the chick fight was the most disciplined and the only one that would be shown on the Ultimate Fighter....oops! Sorry, didn't mean to take that little jab.
Then came Kimbo vs. Thompson, and I will admit I was pretty anxious to see Kimbo fight because I expected it to be a one-hit win since Thompson fights like the Jolly Green Giant on lollipop flavored acid.
But, that was not the case at all—not only was Kimbo out of shape and showing no signs of skill, but he was losing and had not even won a round. Then, somehow the ref calls the fight on busted cauliflower on Thompson's ear....really?
That doesn't sound like MMA rules now does it? At the least this event was a disgrace to MMA because it first gave audiences who had never seen it a terrible show of what MMA truly looks like, and second, it humiliated the Elite XC's No. 1 gun—Kimbo Slice.
After the event took place ESPN decided to do a little interview with Kimbo Slice on what was said about him by rival Bret Rodgers in the press conference.
I think he said he wanted to fight him but it was hard to understand since he speaks like a dumb Rampage Jackson....you get the point...
Here's the deal. With ESPN doing specials on wannabes like Kimbo, they are not showing the true fighters of MMA.
What about interviewing Anderson Silva about his reign in Middleweight, BJ Penn on truly becoming the prodigy, Fedor on being the No. 1 Heavyweight in the world, Liddell on his rise back to the top of the Light Heavyweight division, or St. Pierre on his new-found focus on his life?
All of these interviews would be more interesting to any MMA fan and it would give viewers a look at a true fighter.
Elite XC is taking a freakshow that they know is not that good and putting him up against people who don't have the skill to fight on the ultimate fighter, or up against grandfathers who have drank themselves into a coma.
There is a reason why Kimbo won't get signed by the UFC, and why any real fan can't stand him...why, you ask?
Because, anyone who is a true fan and knows MMA can see that slowly the Elite XC and Kimbo Slice are destroying the science and beauty that the sport of MMA has worked so hard to create.
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3 months ago
For an article claiming only to state facts, this is the most bias thing i may have read since being on this sight. But nonetheless, yes, EXC on CBS did nothing but prove that if you take a piece of crap and dress it up, you'll have a nice looking piece of crap.
2 months ago
That show was a kick in the groin to MMA. The good news is, EXC won't last past November. That's when their current $$$ source will quit.
2 months ago
ya it was a joke about not being bias...I don't see how you could write this article as a true MMA fan and not become bias...I was actually getting mad while I was writing it hahaha
2 months ago
Sticking feathers up your butt doesn't make you a chicken. I am tired of hearing about Kimbo Slice. He has not fought anybody worth the hype people are making him. He may one day get his chance and he may win against a worthy opponent. Until then, don't waste key strokes talking about him. I am always open to free enterprise. Especially when it gives the UFC some competition but when it comes to fight organizations, credibility and integrity are key in order to maintain a true and clear image if MMA in the public perception.
2 months ago
I absolutley agree
2 months ago
The person who wrote this is stupid. The reason they are giving so much publicity is to make fans happy (people like to be entertained. Kimbo Slice has the potential to be a good fighter but has not quite proved it yet. By the way if your going to bash MMA then dont fucking watch it.
from 2 months ago
J is not bashing MMA. Elite XC is bashing MMA. Kimbo is bashing MMA. If Kimbo is their best, that is pretty sad. Take a hard look at the quality of people in the Elite XC compared to other major MMA organizations. Elite XC has got a lot of trash around it. If they want to be excepted by the whole MMA community, they need to clean up their organization a bit.
2 months ago
hahahahaha dude your an idiot....I have trained in MMA for 5 years...You obviously know nothing about the sport if you think Kimbo has potential...he has made that perfectly evident...you need to go back and reeducate yourself in the sport of MMA becuase what Elite XC did was not the sport of MMA...please check your opinion before making a fool of yourself.
from 2 months ago
Nice. It is pretty sad that ESPN would rather interview a nobody like Kimbo than all the other technical, trained, educated, intelligent, skilled and talented athletes out there. Kimbo is big and hairy, those are his qualities.
2 months ago
I think the thing that people always leave out is the fact that Kimbo is a ROOKIE
Does he deserve be a main event fighter: NO
Is he one of the best Heavyweights: NO
But look back at ANY mma fighters first 3 fights and believe me, they were not fighting
top caliber opponents right out the gate.. You cant hate the man for making a living,
If EliteXC saw you kick some guys ass in the street and then offered you 200K to fight
You would take the money too.. EliteXC is no UFC, we all know that, but the expectations
for kimbo are a little outrageous considering the dudes only fought 3 times in mma
2 months ago
Down playing kimbos role is similar to what ocurred to Run DMC iand MC Hammer in the 80's. You are jealous because someone other than your guy is in the spotlight and putting this so called sport on the map. I have yet to see any MMA fighter who would last 2 rounds in the ring with ALI, Foreman, Tyson in a stand up game.
Its silly to think that ground and pound is entertainment. MMA fighters never have been able to stand the test of manhood and take a stand up or ground fight 12 rounds. Why? Because all of them are second class athletes that cant train at the same high levels that boxers are known for.
So, with that said, yes, Kimbo is in a developmental stage and if he is the name to beat then so be it. He has brought excitement to the matches that will draw new fans to the sport and not just the old rednecks that you are used to. Kimbo is to MMA as what Tiger Woods is to golf, excitement. Tiger brings new interest to the game and that infuriates those traditionalist and brings the same kind of fear that Kimbo brings to you types. You are all a bunch of hate filled, fear filled cowards always frowning on Kimbo saying he is not real, he isnt pure MMA. So what!....if his game continues to develop the way it is he will be the most feared man in all of America. For now, you should appreciate that the sport is getting new recognition and realize this brings money to the sport.
In boxing, it takes 15 years to develop a fighter, MMA is only what, 10 years old with a bunch of second class athletes that cant go past 3 rounds. Now why would I want to watch that!!!!
from 2 months ago
I will just say it. Boxing sucks. Big time. Don't get me wrong. I will respect any boxer as a fighter. An incomplete fighter, but a fighter none the less. I refuse to respect boxing as a sport. It is corrupt, an incomplete fighting system and a display of two individuals trying to bash each others heads in with padded gloves using just hands. I'm not saying a punch by a professional boxer with gloves wouldn't hurt or even knock me out but it is a ridiculous way to make a fight go longer. That are what those cushions are for. No boxer, with their current skill set, would stand a chance in MMA. Period. End of story. You seem to have a lot of anger so go knock your self in the head a little bit more til you can't even type. If your a boxing fan. Great. Good luck. See you later. Stay in your own discussion threads. Peace out.
2 months ago
Yep, I said it...second class athletes. Why, because all the best athletes go where the money is...basketball, baseball, and football and for this same reason we are seeing a decline in the level of athletes that are competing in boxing. Why do you think that the Russians are winning so many boxing matches now adays...well, could it be that all the guys that were fighting in the 60's, 70's and 80's moved on to sports where the money is flowing.
Really, do you think that if Shaq had trained from childhood he could not knock out Kiltchko or whatever the hell his name is. Please, these are Russias top fighters and they are having a difficult time with our second class atheletes, who in turn would have no trouble with MMA's third class atheletes.
Lets be real, Kimbo has the athelicism and only lacks the 15 years of training. Fight on Kimbo! Bust em up and use that rage handed down generation upon generation to thwart all the nay sayers who hate because they know not what they do.
You bring them money when big investors come to the table because they saw a fight of yours online and think to themselves, hmmm...I can make money with this guy.
from 2 months ago
Yeah. You go Russia. Keep on winning those boxing matches. You know, I hope Kimbo does learn some MMA skills and does well in MMA. I hope the best for any fighter. I have my favorites and my least favorites like anybody else. Kimbo has won 3 MMA fights. 3. In boxing, if a fighter wins 3 fights, so what?
2 months ago
So, if we really want to talk about it MMA fighters are true third class athletes that are going no where fast!!!!!
2 months ago
First of all... please all boxing fans stick to your threads...I am also a huge boxing fan...I hate boxing fans that bash MMA....I have been a boxer and kickboxer much longer than an MMA fighter and I know the skills boxers have....but to be honest they would not last against an MMA fighter....look at Ray Mercer WBO Heavyweight champion.....defeated in all four MMA bouts..... and third class fighters?? who is this idiot.....hahahaha.....you realize that your talking about the most fit, athletic, and powerful athletes that this world has seen right....why do you think Roy Jones Jr. said he would never be able to hang in an MMA match? you guys have got to realize that they are both great sports....but they are totally different sports....boxing takes one science of angles and movement....MMA takes it all making it a much more complicated science which is what creates the chess match.....do whoever you are......these stupid comments aren't worthy to be on any article.....its ignorant
2 months ago
Kimbo survived and much stronger, bigger MMA vet who took him out of his element, there were knees and sub attempts via Slice.
If I remember correcty JT has a win over Don Frye
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