Embarrassing.
That is the sole word that comes to mind after the debacle that closed last night's EliteXC show on CBS.
In case you missed it, Ken Shamrock decided to do some grappling Saturday morning (uncharacteristic if you listen to brother Frank) and got a cut over his eye that required stitches.
That decision resulted in him pulling out of his much-hyped battle against mainstream star Kimbo Slice...you know, the match that EliteXC was counting on to pop a big rating and extend this deal with CBS?
Enter some guy named Seth Petruzelli, he of the then-10-4 record and 205 pounds, signed to compete on the non-televised undercard.
As word spread about Shamrock's injury, EliteXC scrambled to find someone to step in against Slice, and after considering Frank Shamrock (yes, the color commentator was being considered to step in with Slice), Petruzelli got the call.
Slice accepted the fight (taking a cash bonus to do so, which kinda blows up that perception of wanting to fight any man at any time) and it was on.
Fourteen seconds later, it was off. Petruzelli attacked Slice with a flurry of punches that knocked him down, and the referee jumped in to call the fight.
A bit early? Perhaps, but the bloodied Slice wasn't doing anything and didn't exactly jump up to protest. Just like that, Slice's carefully-crafted image as a mainstream bad-ass was eliminated and the EliteXC deal with CBS is likely to follow.
In one night, EliteXC did more damage to the sport of MMA in the mainstream than I could ever imagine. Why is this so bad?
Bait-and-switch
I was watching with some very average MMA fans when this all went down, and the reaction wasn't good. The emotion was one of feeling shafted, screwed and lied to.
They didn't care, nor understand, about the reasons Shamrock was out. They just knew the match they wanted to see wasn't going to happen. It's hard to get that kind of attention back without having that feeling attached with it.
I also thought announcer Mauro Ranallo's attempt to shift the focus away from Shamrock being out was appalling. Sometimes, you have to call a turd a turd, you know?
Who's the star?
Slice has looked below average in two straight fights and was exposed as a green fighter, but Petruzelli's win didn't exactly siphon the star power away from him.
I don't care if people are calling him the "Modern-Day Rocky." Granted, he got the win, but if they were to have a rematch, would you care? Yeah, me neither.
Gina Carano is now the face of EliteXC. Can you imagine if she lost last night? You want to rest your organization on a sole female fighter who still struggles to make weight?
The bizarreness
Seriously, have you ever heard of this happening with a main event on the day of the card? I have been watching boxing, MMA, and wrestling for roughly 20 years, and I can't ever remember a case of a fighter in this position being this careless with this much on the line.
Shouldn't Shamrock know better? Even his brother was baffled at his brother's training regimen. Can you imagine Oscar De La Hoya, Randy Couture, or Anderson Silva billed for a main event and then putting themselves in the position to get injured on the day of the show? It's mind-boggling to me.
70 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Mark Baca 9 months ago
I am tottally dissapointed in the "SellOut" practices that I saw last night. I was so saddened to see them join the ranks with Professional Boxing
Mark Baca
619-634-1512
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Marcus 9 months ago
Great article, Kimbo was suppose to put the XC on top and instead stole millions from the promoters and didn't show up to fight a no name. I wanted to see the Shamrock/Kimbo fight but now that'll never happen and I've lost major interest with the way Elite XC handled all this. The fighters get paid thousands and some even millions to do one thing, put on a good show and FIGHT. Shamrock doesn't get paid to get a cut hours before the main event and if he wanted to go, then they should have let it go. He's a fighter, it's what fighters do.
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Nate Double 9 months ago
First I just need to know... why did you NEED to see Kimbo & Shamrock fight?
There's a reason they have doctors who have to clear a fighter to fight. That cut would have likely instantly opened, dumping blood right into Shamrock's eye and stopping the fight. They have these doctors because many fighters would go in and fight with broken bones, semi torn ligaments, back injuries etc. All of which is bad for the fighters and bad for the fans. Fighters make the injuries worse and the fans see a superb athlete operating at 50%.
While I'm suspicious of the way Shamrock received his injury (his body language was odd and he looked uncomfortable, like he was lying) I give EliteXC some credit for putting on the fight. Kimbo Slice fans wanted to see him fight and he did. Taking Kimbo off the card would have been far worse for EliteXC and CBS and I'm sure casual fans would be even more upset since they don't understand the concept of training for your opponent. In the end EliteXC cajoled Kimbo into taking the fight by paying him an undisclosed "bonus". Kimbo still got paid and if EliteXC spins this the right way they could be better off than if they continue to perpetrate the lie of Kimbo being something other than MMA novice.
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Nate Double 9 months ago
I think you're a little premature with the EliteXC-CBS deal being kaput. It all depends on the final viewer #s. Do you think many people tuned out because Shamrock wasn't fighting? I don't. In fact I think many viewers stuck around because this was so unconventional.
I'd classify myself as a hardcore fan and I fully planned on switching back and forth between CBS & Spike but I ended up sticking with CBS. The quality of the fights was finally on par with the hype with the exception of the main event.
Maybe now that Kimbo has lost a fight the ranks of hardcore fans who wouldn't tune in because they didn't want to support the sham will give EliteXC a shot. EliteXC just needs to be smart and stop promoting Kimbo an "elite" fighter and start promoting him as a rags to riches, life's underdog with a heart of gold. After all everyone loves an American dream story.
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Dorothy Willis 9 months ago
You have made some valid points, as you usually do, Nate. I like you, think that this serendipidous event could actually work in EXC's favor, if as you stated, they play it the right way. The "rags to riches" angle has been mentioned and by playing on the American dream they can continue to let Kimbo fight. Seth is a younger guy and a more plausible champion--so much cuter and faster than Kimbo, it was fun to watch his celebrating by running around the ring. With Carano and Cyborg coming up, I can't wait to see the next show. I hope a lot of others tune in as well.
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Andrew Pargoff 9 months ago
That had to have been rigged. What an embarrassment, you're right. When your promotion is headlined by Kimbo Slime, it's a joke. He's a solid fighter, but a street fighter. He isn't well-rounded enough to compete against top competition. Hence why he isn't in UFC or any other top promotions. Kimbo better have taken a dive there, because that wasn't even a performance. It was god awful. I'm just mad I watched the 8 minutes leading up to the match to spent less time than it takes to go to the bathroom on that entire match. Nice article.
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Josh Nason 9 months ago
Hey Nate (and others) - I just wonder about whether CBS will continue to go through with this. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer mentioned tonight that the fast nationals ratings were in the mid 4's so that would translate to mid 2.0's.
It would be great if they had the faith, but based on the on-air promotion of the second less star-driven card, I wonder if they're into it. It's too bad because more MMA on TV is a good thing, no matter how good or bad it is.
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Nate Double 9 months ago
I think CBS will continue broadcasting MMA. It may not be with EliteXC exclusively though. If CBS execs were smart they would leverage their broadcast power to put on a Saturday night super card utilizing a bunch of the smaller promotions. (hint hint, hire me CBS)
I think the future of broadcast television MMA will have more to do with the promotion company covering their fighter's pay and receiving advertising compensation (Affliction) in lieu of a hard payment like EliteXC receives from CBS now. Ultimately these promotions need brand recognition in order to stay alive and reach PPV event status. CBS wants programming that brings in high viewer numbers so they can sell ad slots to their blue chip customers.
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Kirth Gersen 8 months ago
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I agree to the concept that the paydays are way too high and almost encourage short fights. Dana's concept of a BONUS for "entertaining" bouts seems to get vary active rounds. But, in saying that, he keeps "his" fighters on tight contracts and low pay (low in the sense that to make a "living" UFC fighter have to win and win and win).
In reality how many high level fights can each man participate in? Only the toughest can find long term careers and money (pick your favs), but most only have 3-5 in them. And Dana, in general, only allows a fighter 3 losses before they go away (in general).
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Jason Cottier 9 months ago
EliteXC has a golden chance to get back on CBS whenever they want. Since they are cross promoting with Affliction all they have to do is get Fedor to fight on one of their cards. Fedor on CBS is all the advertising that either promotion would need.
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Dorothy Willis 9 months ago
Exactly!
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Josh Nason 9 months ago
Hey Jason - so what happens after Fedor? And does the average American sports fan know who Fedor is? That is who CBS is trying to attract with this deal. I think it's doubtful you'd see Fedor vs. Arlovski on free tv, when that lure of ppv is out there.
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Jason Cottier 9 months ago
No but they could put him in there with a mid level fighter...after all it's not a PPV, but with all of the casual fans starting to pay attention he would be a draw. There are some that have heard the name and how he is the greatest and all that, and they would tune in just to see him fight.
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Victor K. 9 months ago
I would be and am way more likely to tune in to watch Fedor, Arlovski, and Carano fight than Kimbo anyway. He got what we all knew he was going to get after he almost lost the fight with the little known "Great Cauliflour (or however you spell that). I WANTED him to lose. Also, I dont know about you, but dont you think that anyone who has been interested in MMA for any time at all would know who Fedor is?? (You know....the #1 ranked heavyweight in the world...)?
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Bill Kao 9 months ago
Great article. I just had a crazy thought and if it's true, it's brilliant. What are the chances that Shamrock was never going to fight and the whole thing was just a way to attract people to the gates?
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Nate Double 9 months ago
Interesting. But...
My conspiracy theory involves Dana White and a big bag of cash. Or Dana White and some photos of Ken Shamrock in woman's clothing and a threat of releasing them to the media.
Shamrock's body language was just weird when he was doing his pre-fight/pull out interview. The guy looked nervous and jittery. Like me when I told my mom I didn't break the window playing indoor baseball when I was 10.
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Dorothy Willis 9 months ago
Always trust the body language and the eyes. I have always been a big believer in reading both behaviors to learn the truth.
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Todd Jackson 9 months ago
Nate, that has been on my mind alllllll weekend. I would never presume that someone is dirty but the point remains. Ken has been a professional for over a decade and knows not to put himself in harms way the day of the fight. And what better way to decimate the competition than by ruining their main draw by pulling some ace out of your sleeve on a fighter you used to have reign over. I would never be surprised to learn there was an alterier motive to Ken not fighting that involved outside influences that did not have the best interests of Elite in mind. It really makes more sense than the explanation we have been given.
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Bkilla 9 months ago
Did you watch the weigh in video? When shamrock pushed kimbo that definitely looked really staged...
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Joe Olivo 9 months ago
I dont think theres anyway that Dana paid ken off. Could someone of? yes. But dana is way to cocky and sure of how horrible the elitexc is to do that. Could it of been that ken just didnt want to take the chance, a very small chance, that he would lose another fight?
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Kirth Gersen 8 months ago
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"...My conspiracy theory involves Dana White and a big bag of cash..."
I don't think so. Dana and Ken aren't friendly, esp with the Shamrock association with EliteXC. Dana's style seem to be wrap up fighters in contracts which don't allow crossing. The "Affliction Banned" fights being a good example of Dana's desire for control.
Ken, I love him, isn't physically able (sorry) to fight in the UFC. Just look at a list of his previous injuries.
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Mark Torosian 9 months ago
the fight was rigged its funny that after the match slice said were still having the after party, this was elite xc's way of keeping the fans happy with kimbo fighting, and some no namer beating him and hyping it like it was something special, the ref called it way too early so everyone was happpy
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Joe Olivo 9 months ago
I doubt the fight was rigged at all. The amount of money that they stood to lose if kimbo lost was far too much, this is clearly one of the worst things that could have happened to elitexc.... guess dana was right when he said kimbo couldnt with the ultimate figher, seth couldnt win it either....
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Jason Cottier 8 months ago
From Seth's comments it sounds like EliteXC was trying to rig it for Kimbo to knock him out, and it back fired.
Seth said they offered him a bonus to "stand" with Kimbo
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Anthony Pole 9 months ago
Why did you watch the show if you didn't like it so much???
Just switch the channel.
And what's embarrassing about getting in the cage and fighting and losing? What's embarrassing about suffering an injury which a doctor can't clear you from in time?
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Mike Valentyne 9 months ago
I wouldn't consider myself a casual fan of MMA as I only watch some things here and there. I tuned in to watch the Kimbo/Shamrock fight and was instantly drawn in by the situation. I thought the way the commentators blew up the main event was amazing and it came off as exciting. I can only imagine that other people tuning in who have no idea about MMA were pretty excited about this card as well. In the long run, I think CBS will continue doing business with EliteXC and other MMA promotions and people will continue to watch. I mean, all of us kept watching the show, didn't we?
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Russell Sheppard 9 months ago
I felt kind of bad for Kimbo (Kind-Of). That is until I remembered all the hype and all the dissing Kimbo has been doing. This was only Kimbo's 4 MMA fight, but Elite is hyping Kimbo like he is the GOD OF ALL THINGS MMA! And that is why last nights loss was such a big deal for Kimbo Slice. If Kimbo had lost the fight as some newbie MMA fighter, No Biggie right? But I don't even know who the Heavyweight Champ of EliteXC is, because all they ever talk about is Kimbo!!! So the loss was giant! I personally don't see anything special in Kimbo. His look is generic. He can barely utter a word that isn't broken. So EliteXC didn't shoot a toe, or a foot, but their entire lower-half off with that crappy fight last night! Kimbo came out and didn't even touch gloves! He just came out like just jack *** and got knocked out in 14 seconds! I love MMA and have loved it since the 90's!! So I love TRUE MMA! Not this "Let's take some generic street-thug and promote him more then Fador, Chuck and Randy all put together! Then make up stupid reasons why he lost a fight to a TRUE MMA fighter! Can you imagine if Kimbo fought a Top-10 Heavyweight?! Even a Top-30?
Now let's all stop talking about Kimbo and try to let EliteXC gather themselves up and try to make yet another "Created-Fighter". Oh, since their going to go the Stereotype route; how about trying some other, tried Stereotypes? How about the Goofy-White-Guy-Who-Can't-Dance? Or The Mexican-Who-Fights-In-The-Parking-Lot-Of-A-Hardward-Store? Of The Asian-Guy-Who-Can't-Drive? All Kimbo Slice ever was, was a STEREOTYPE of that guy who just got let out of prison! And I'm sick of seeing him! His Thick-Ratty-Beard, Gold-Teeth, and Giant-Necklaces didn't make him unique! They just made him generic and insulting! It's time for Kimbo to either go back to being what he was before he starting fighting for money, or just be promoted as a Basic-Newbie-MMA-Fighter! And not some MMA GOD!
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Brett Fulmore 9 months ago
Most knowledgeable fans had already figured out the deal with Kimbo. This loss should slow down his popularity with the "casual" MMA fan however, which is a troubling thought for EliteXC and CBS since that is basically their target audience with these Saturday night shows.
There will still be a lot of fans who will tune in and watch Kimbo fight - they're almost guaranteed to see a slugfest. But any attempt of marketing Slice as a legitimate up and comer in the HW division have flown out the window.
The other interesting topic from Saturday night is EliteXC's relationship with Affliction moving forward. There had been rumblings of cross-promotion and even a rumor of Kimbo moonlighting on one of Affliction's 2009 pay per views. Is Affliction even interested anymore? Or will they try and distance themselves from this trainwreck altogether?
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Stoker Mac 9 months ago
THIS WEEK KIMBO
NEXT WEEK TITO
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Kirth Gersen 8 months ago
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Tito Ortiz is a disappointment.
He "should" have been one of the greatest fighters, but isn't. It's sad.
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thabiggJibb Rules 9 months ago
you said, "Seriously, have you ever heard of this happening with a main event on the day of the card? I have been watching boxing, MMA, and wrestling for roughly 20 years, and I can't ever remember a case of a fighter in this position being this careless with this much on the line."
So...you must have missed the Travis Lutter v. Anderson Silva fight. Not making weight for a title fight is WAAAAY more careless than getting a cut in training. Headbutts happen all the time, not making weight is inexcusable.
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Josh Nason 9 months ago
But ultimately, Lutter fought. If missing weight causes a guy to completely miss a main event, absolutely. If a guy misses by a few pounds and they can still put the match on, even without a title, fans will typically be more accepting.
You're right though: missing weight is sloppy at best.
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Robert Poole 9 months ago
This just happened with Joan Guzman versus Nate Campbell. It happened with Castillo-Corrales. It's not unheard of at all for main events to be cancelled. It just happens.
Also, the reason UFC works is they don't just promote one guy. If Anderson Silva lost tomorrow, they'd have Forrest Griffin or GSP to promote, etc.
Saturday's show worked because the card was pretty good besides the Kimbo mess. Jake Shields and Robbie Lawler are legit. If they sign Tito Ortiz, they'll have that name to work off of. Gina Carrano-Cyborg will be something they can build to and Cyborg fights at 148.5 so Carano can easily make that. Raddach had a pretty exciting fight with Rua. Not to mention they still have Cung Le and Frank Shamrock.
This was not the disaster everyone portrays it as. If anything the other good fights gives them more names to build off of.
What their goal should be now is to start building programs around some of these other guys. Sure they can run a smaller, more realistic program on the comeback of Kimbo Slice, but it's time to do what they should have done with Kimbo from the start and that is explain that this is still an experiment and since he's new and not the invincible character they portrayed him as. People will understand if he's fighting on lower levels of the card earning his spot.
I think people want to hate on EliteXC because they pushed a guy clearly not ready for the prime time and a sexy female as their top two stars. The group still has enough talent to succeed. They just need to refocus their marketing and business strategies.
Rp
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Joe Olivo 9 months ago
Getting a head butt the day of the fight doesnt happen. If it happens a week before the fight fine, but the day of, no. Kens been in the business along time, you dont do full sparring sessions the day of the fight. You get warmed up do some light, LIGHT, technique stuff and just stay lose.
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Micah Reller 9 months ago
Kimbo didn't even touch gloves at the start of the fight. Maybe next time, he will learn a bit of respect.
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Walt Traxler 9 months ago
hey, at least Kimbo was "still having the after party", the final fight was ridiculous.
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Kirth Gersen 8 months ago
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That's a paid deal with the night club. It has nothing to do with the fight.
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Joseph Blowe 9 months ago
Sometimes, you have to call a turd a turd. Exactly.
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Christopher Williams 9 months ago
I am an average MMA fan at best but I have to say that I do not think this fight was rigged. Many people beleive it was but if it was rigged it would have lasted more than 14 seconds. Kimbo Slice got hit in the right spot at the right time and not to mention he was not prepared to fight this guy. If anything this fight has given the sport a lot of press.
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Anthony 9 months ago
I think the big three ABC NBC and CBS have figured out how to get their viewers back. Does anyone remember boxing before PPV?
Now we have mixed martial arts. In my opinion Kimbo wasn't hurt enough to call the fight. EliteXC and TapOut to a lesser extent are cheap knok offs of the UFC.They come across as some sort of punk street thug wanabee's compared to the UFC.
If CBS and MMA make it out of this alive CBS needs to partner with the much more intelligent and organized UFC.
Kimbo needs a descent manager as well. He has the skills because I have seen him throw some viscous elbows and knee blows with devastating accuracy.
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Joe Olivo 9 months ago
That is true. CBS and UFC tried to work a deal out and CBS wanted too much of the cut, and wanted to control the fight card and turn the events in what elitexc had, shows not events. CBS wants wwe not mma.
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Kirth Gersen 8 months ago
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But on the ground Kimbo has NOTHING.
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Jack Flack 9 months ago
Elite XC isn't doing a great job of convincing the populus that they have enough contenders to make us pay attention. Putting all your eggs in the respective baskets of Kimbo Slice, Gina Carano and Jake Shields and expecting viewership to rise is beyond retarded. Kimbo is the kind of MMA caliber fighter Tank Abbot was...unconcerned with his own safety and therefore occasionally fun to watch but so devoid of skills that his record will be sub 500 after a few more fights. Seeing Gina Carano fight is like viewing a WNBA game - boring as watching paint dry. Jake Shields looks like someone with all the tools and a marketable commodity - just like the fighters who never make the final round of UFC Ultimate FIghter. The only real talent they have is Shamrock (Frank, of course) and Cung Le. If they aren't on the card, why bother?
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Kirth Gersen 8 months ago
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I agree.
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Marcus Walker 9 months ago
"I was watching with some very average MMA fans when this all went down, and the reaction wasn't good. The emotion was one of feeling shafted, screwed and lied to.
They didn't care, nor understand, about the reasons Shamrock was out. They just knew the match they wanted to see wasn't going to happen. It's hard to get that kind of attention back without having that feeling attached with it."
You're missing the single biggest point of this argument. IT'S KEN SHAMROCK!!! The guy is about as reliable as a used condom.
And shame on you for sullying everybodies favorite MMA fat guy. Because he's fat, that means he can't fight, right? Have you seen Mark Hunt fight? Hell, have you seen Roy Nelson fight before Saturday? Do you care?
I do agree with you on your point that Elite XC is in trouble, but its more their fault for booking Shammy in the first place, not for how they handled the mishap.
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Josh Nason 9 months ago
Hey, I understood Nelson's skills. My point was that the perception among average sports fans was that of laughter, not respect. That's a major point of why they're on major TV, like it or not. Even Nelson jokes about his appearance being deceiving. It was more of a side note, not a major thumbs down or anything.
And used condoms can be reliable. Just use duct tape and pray.
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Joe Olivo 9 months ago
LMAO duck tape and pray..... anyway, I do MMA fights in town and have had a few pro fights and I went down to a local bar and watched the fights there, sumthing i dont do but i wanted to see how people reacted to the matches, and Nelson, while i understood his skills, brown belt in bjj isnt easy, was looked at as a fat guy. Its not fair but thats how the average person looked at the fight as
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bobby flake 9 months ago
what is all the hype about shamrock any way the guy was at onr time the worlds most dangerous man BUT ........... now he is a has been i mean god he lost to tito and to rich franklin in embarrising form he didnt show up to eather fight and kimbo is all media hype any way if ya want ratings ya need to at least put on a fight REAL mma fans wanna see not just two names that are blown out of proportion by people who dont even know mma
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Kirth Gersen 8 months ago
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Shamrock was a ass-kicker, but in 1995. Watch the Gracie fights. He still had it then.
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Zach Dog 9 months ago
The things you guys say about Kimbo. The reason all you hardened MMA fans hate him is because he isn't the typical MMA fighter, he's charisma extends to the general public. Which, because of Slice is now on the map. I agree, Elite XC, doesn't run a tight ship, and former UFC fighter, with all of his time spent in UFC with its UFCedness is the one who didn't show up for the fight. Who reading this site hasn't spent many hours watching and dissecting Kimbo?? Everyone. Now, the same for Seth 'The Silverback'? No One. But that's no Excuse.
The point is a year ago, I thought MMA was a little too homo erotic for my tastes, all the floor work and submission stuff, but Kimbo changed all that. Most Americans are Brawlers, not Karate Champions. Even the Bible is full of hyperbolic tales to help people see the morals of a story. MMA is an actual sport with real people, and Slice(Ferg) helped a lot of people who believed otherwise see it. Who hasn't watched their favorite player fumble? Don't let a league rivalry sink the sport, and if you want to keep calling it a sport...show some sportsmanship.
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Josh Nason 9 months ago
You're 100% right about the charisma. If he didn't draw interest, he wouldn't be main eventing. There's a love/hate/turn your head quality about him that is undeniable.
It's fascinating to me how much of a polarizing figure he is. The people that hate him point to his skill-set as being weak and can't stand how he's pushed. I wonder if he was in UFC, would the reaction be different?
Food for thought....
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Anthony 9 months ago
homo-erotic? So that would include college wrestling as well? Perhaps it just turns you on and you don't like that part of yourself? A hardened ,no pun intended, Mauy Thai fighter or Ju-Jitsu fighter would bring down a brawler any day. A brawler with a weight advantage might get a lucky punch or elbow in a MMA event but that would be their only chance.
I like Kimbo and I want to see him fight some real heavyweight MMA stars ;not the punks that Elite seem to dredge up. His does have the skills to compete. I would say his weakness is on his kicks and his floor defense.
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Joe Olivo 9 months ago
Kimbo's problem is poor set up. Thats why he got knocked out, he goes out there to as Zack said, brawl. Might work on the street but in the ring/cage it wont. You can see his moves a mile away and he cant see anyone elses. I compare Kimbo to Brock Lesnar in the ufc, they both got huge pushes, they both had fans before they started mma, and they both were overly hyped but the HUGE difference is that Brock wasnt put in with no name guys that you would never see again, he was put in with great fighters in the top tier of their weight class
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Victor K. 9 months ago
First, about Brock L... I cant wait to watch him fight! Besides being careless, and losing his first fight because of it, I cant wait for him to get in there with the other heavyweights so they can see what it is like to be just straight MANHANDLED by a true heavyweight, not some 207 pounder (I DO have much respect for Couture....). Now, about the Elite XC. You guys do remeber dont you that they also have a former UFC heavyweight on their roster dont you? A guy that can be absolutely ferocious? Does Arlovski ring a bell? I would still put him in the ring with anyone, and believe he has a chance to win! He AT LEAST has as good a chance to win as other notable, but over the hill, fighters named Lidell and Silva(no, not Anderson). Now, for Kimbo. He is a straight street fighter. He knows no ground game. But here is my question for all the Kimbo lovers that generically defend him cause he isnt the typical MMA fighter but just a brawler.....Do you think he could beat either one of the Klitchko brothers in a boxing match?? I dont think he could even beat either one of them in an MMA match!
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Kirth Gersen 8 months ago
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BJJ is the reason MMA exists. I'm not sure what's "gay" about putting a guy down and pulling out the tendons in his arms or legs or choking him out.
Elbows to the face aren't butterfly kisses.
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Kirth Gersen 8 months ago
"...Does Arlovski ring a bell? I would still put him in the ring with anyone, and believe he has a chance to win! He AT LEAST has as good a chance to win as other notable.."
Arlovski lost it years ago. He WAS amazingly dangerous, you are correct, but those last UFC appearances didn't have much heart.
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Joseph Lupoli 9 months ago
As long as people hate Kimbo Slice, they'll talk about him...a lot. Intense dislike of a people keeps them in the spotlight. Good news doesn't sell. And that's precisely the reason why Kimbo will fight Ken SCAM-rock on EleteXC in the near future.
Kimbo is a slugger, and American fans want stand-up strikers. As a whole, we Americans don't have much patience or appreciation for submission grappling. Just listen to those fans boo whenever the punching stops and submission attempts begin. And that's a damn shame because there's plenty of stand-up striking in boxing and in K1 (and in Youtube fights) if slugging is all they want to see.
MMA Made it's 1993 U.S. debut at a time when American Fight fans were becoming disillusioned by Don King's and Bob Arum's shameless PPV rip-off tactics. The fans wanted something new. Well, they sure got it. And those booing fans should be happy that the fighters must wear gloves, and that no gi's are permitted. Otherwise, there would be a hell-of-a-lot more grappling and much less stand-up boxing.
Joseph Lupoli
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Kirth Gersen 8 months ago
"... Just listen to those redneck fans boo whenever the punching stops and submission attempts begin..."
That doesn't happen anymore, that I've noticed. When Spike repeats the older fights it might be nice to tell us the original year of broadcast, that would provide some context. Because there was alot of booing before high-level BJJ displays were seen.
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m m 9 months ago
Honestly, what mma fans were happy with Kimbo being the mainstream representative of mma anyway? Im not saying he doesnt have a place in mma. But I dont believe it was headlining events, especially to the general public who are just being introduced to the sport. Should the publics first image of mma be a one dimensional street fighter or a well rounded athlete? Sure Kimbo brings attention and fans, and this is a good thing, but he should definately not have been the EXC's 'face' of mma. Hopefully now he wont be headlining any more fight cards.
The general public was being fed the propaganda of Kimbo being a fighting god. If people believed he was the best there is and saw his latest fights, how can this be a good thing? Had EXC not done this, they probably wouldnt be in positition they are in now.
Cheers
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Collin Whitchurch 9 months ago
I don't know a ton about MMA, but it seems to me, after watching two EliteXC events on CBS, that the decision to not let Shamrock fight was due to the fact that it was on CBS.
It was a mere six stitches on his head. If it breaks open, blood gushes everywhere. Had the fight been broadcast on HBO, PPV, or somewhere not on a normal network station, I believe they would've let Shamrock fight, but CBS didn't want, or possibly, couldn't allow, the risk of a bloody face on national network television. It's not that Shamrock was unable to fight, it's that they wouldn't let him fight.
I also got a kick out of Gus Johnson (whom I LOVE) shouting "THE BIGGEST UPSET IN THE HISTORY OF MIXED MARTIAL ARTS!" after Kimbo got knocked out. Everyone that I talk to who knows a lot about MMA thinks Kimbo is a joke. Simply a marketing ploy. So his defeat didn't surprise them. But to those who know about MMA, Kimbo's nothing more then an amateur being overhyped.
Great article
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Kirth Gersen 8 months ago
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I saw that in a early EliteXC fight (I don't recall which one). But the fight doctor stopped it for a cut that the UFC would have found entertaining. I think CBS was squemish. I think we can all recall some gushing, bloody UFCs.
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Ryan Burns 9 months ago
I've been watching MMA on and off since the mid -90's and have always considered myself more of a boxing fan than MMA. That being said, I think that this victory is GREAT for the sport, and if handled correctly, EliteXC will be able to capitalize from this.
Remember, MMA fans and journalists werent the ones who coronated Kimbo Slice, it was E!SPN, CBS, and other networks that have never before shown an interest in the sport. So for this kid Petruzelli to beat Kimbo is hardly the biggest upset in the history of the sport. Kimbo is what he is, a tough street fighter, no more no less. Ive been telling people that until he really learns the sport and masters the things that differentiates it from street fighting, he will never amount to much but a flashy name.
Sure, hes a huge STAR, but he is nowhere near the top of the sport.
Petruzelli, however has instantly made a name for himself, will probably get a rematch, and like it or not, this will lead to bigger fights. Lets not forget that Kimbo's last fight wasnt really as dominating as many people thought, and on points, he might have lost. If the company was smart, they would push this kid Petruzelli to the moon to make him seem better for having beat Kimbo. Also, they need to do a better job in selecting opponents for Mr. Slice.
Americans love the underdog. That much is certain. And from my point of view, an "upset" like this is more interesting and compelling than a Kimbo win.
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Rob Poff 9 months ago
I'm one of the "casual fans" that some of you are talking about. I watched the whole 2 hour bit and was entertained. When I first heard that the main event was cancelled I was heated, but when I heard he was facing Johnny Nobody, I stayed tuned in because I wanted to see someone get their face beat in. I've seen Kimbos videos and he is a machine, but the fact that Johnny Nobody can put him down with a couple gut kicks and an overhand showed blew me away. I guess it was like watching the Yankees play. You like to watch them because they are good (Kimbo) but also enjoy watching them go down. I know that I will tune in again no matter what.
Arlovski's and Curano's fights were the most entertaining. If they give the quality of fights I saw or exceed the quality of fights, I will, without a doubt, watch every Saturday.
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titus pierre 9 months ago
I think Kimbo needs to get another trainer or get on a fight team so he can have a ground game so he's not just a stand up fighter. I give the other guy credit, he beat Kimbo at his own game. I think he'll be a better fighter if he train with Sanchez and Evans team or Randy Couture's team.
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josh darius 9 months ago
Why waste your time with this crap anymore, I am done with XXC, they wasted my time and shame on them. Shamrock is a turd and probably got scared and chickened out, not a big shot he is too old and scared now and did not like the idea oh getting one of Slice's elbows through his big head, yes he is a cowardly turd. Slice should be in the WWE and Nelson my gosh what the hell happened to him?? He used to throw kicks in that IFL and destroy people, now he looks like some two cases a day pig farmer.
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Corry Fatigante 9 months ago
Kimbo is a joke, that's about what it comes down to. Anyone who follows the sport of MMA can see that he was brought in simply to hype the new league's push to go on mainstream television. Anyone that does know MMA does know about some of the fighters that you put down as " a guy who looks like a fat trucker". Roy Nelson is an impressive fighter who won a fair amount of fights in the IFL, even winning a heavy weight title. So he got knocked out by Arlovsky? There are many fighters who can say the same thing. Speaking of "the Pitbull", he was the reason that people watched that fight. He is beginning to look back to form after he lost it to "the Maniac" in a title defense. The fire in his eys his back, and, though I was disappointed with the main event, I was more than happy with seeing the old Pitbull back
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Ricky Butts 8 months ago
This to me was hilarious. I don't follow MMA all that much. I had read a lot about Kimbo Slice and wanted to see what the big deal was. Watching him get handled by a man that at least looks like a fairy (come to find out he dresses in drag) was downright pathetic. A match that could have brought numerous fans in, I think did the opposite. Like I said I don't know much about it, but this match totally turned me off from MMA.
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Kirth Gersen 8 months ago
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EliteXC, as PRIDE/UFC fans know, is a novelty fighting organization which exists only because CBS is behind it. Kimbo? A huge man with heavy hands but NO skill. Ken Shamrock? Ken was a great fighter...TEN YEARS ago. Don't get me started on the chick fights. IMO bloody female fights have the potential to create another backlash against the sport.
UFC had a similar problem, on occasion, in years past with fights between what was clearly a FIGHTER and a VICTIM (UFCs 21-32, in general had quite a few mismatches and pre-fight substitutions). Now UFC (UFCs 35+, especially NOW with the recent addition of the PRIDE fighters) is a TRUE SPORT where trained athletes match SKILL against SKILL in competition. UFCs only "novelty" fighter is Brock Lessnar and he seems to be actually learning mixed techniques (I don't think he'll ever be a champion, but I don't think he's been an embarassment. either).
Strikeforce and EliteXC are riding on the ground of PRIDE & UFC. Hopefully new fans will get enough UFC on free TV to entice them to the pay-per-views. THERE'S the real difference and the danger; EliteXC and Strikforce are on free TV and that will be news fans first exposure to the sport. All of us who know how great UFC is need to direct to newbies to the QUALITY and away from the posers.
And, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Pettuzelli banned by Dana White from UFC for refusing to follow referee instructions?
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Tom Giannini 8 months ago
I think it will help the sport. I never watched it before this but now I am interested.
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Tom Giannini 8 months ago
I think it will help the sport, before this, I never watched but now I am interested.
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john candy 6 months ago
Kimbo did not fall from a flurry of punches from this guy. He slipped and fell then took the punches. Look im not bashing Seth Petruzellim or kimbo but they both are just average fighters. Point is, that the ref ended the fight way to fast and they both suck anyway eliteXC let me down on this one kimbo you letting me down man damn
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