Kimbo Slice Predicts a "Stand and Bang" Fight with "Meathead" at UFC 113

Kimbo Slice always had a mean look about him.

He might never have become the most famous street fighter in the world if it weren't for his dew rag and glistening beard topped off by a heavy metal grill that he flashes in what barely passes as a smile.

Yet aside from his outward appearance, there's an undeniable intensity to the man born as Kevin Ferguson.

During the open workouts in the lead-up to UFC 113 in Montreal, most of the martial artists went about the whole thing in a nonchalant way.

UFC champion Lyoto Machida casually floated across the mat with his patented karate footwork.

The title challenger, Mauricio Rua, spent his time doing some light shadowboxing.

Preparing for his second UFC appearance, Kimbo Slice swaggered his way onto the mat and proceeded to hit the training pads with cracking punches. He then flexed his ever improving grappling game by executing a takedown and showing off his improving ground-and-pound.

By the time he was done, he was drenched in sweat from head to toe.

“Losing is not an option,” he growled.

When he finished his workout, he spoke to the media, answering questions with a steely-eyed and confident stare.

Kimbo Slice has already come a long way from his streetfighting days.

When Slice fought his first official UFC fight last year opposite veteran Houston Alexander, he showed some solid improvements by executing a highlight reel throw and showing off some improved grappling ability.

Speaking about the fight, Kimbo said, “It shows the fans that you don't know what to expect from Kimbo, you know what I'm sayin? He's growing. He's becoming a mixed martial artist.”

“It shows patience.”

Slice has shown patience in more ways than one.

Inside the Octagon, he had to deal with an unexpected strategy, as Alexander spent a lot of time running around and avoiding contact. “In my street fighting days I probably would have made a mistake.”

Outside of the cage, Slice had to cope with a lot of growing pains in the transition from professional brawler to dedicated and disciplined athlete. Slice is still one of the least skilled fighters in the UFC when it comes to wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, two of the fundamental disciplines of mixed martial arts.

“Sometimes, I'm not going to lie, I get sick of it, but (coach) drills me over and over and over again until it sticks, you know?”

“American Top Team, it's not a gym, that's a learning facility. You have no choice but to learn. If you go there, you're going to learn. You have no choice but to learn. They have trainers there, I call them professors.”

Slice says that he's been focused upon learning all aspects of mixed martial arts. “I didn't want to still be just a street brawler: one-dimensional.”

Despite all of the changes he's made, he hasn't totally left his old instincts behind.

When asked about how he'd defuse a bar fight, Slice said, “You don't defuse a bar fight. You fight a bar fight. When you're on the street, you've got to handle yourself a bit differently.”

Speaking more generally, Slice said, “If someone's disrespecting you, then you've got to put your foot down in some sort of way.”

In everyday life, intimidation alone is probably enough, but it won't be against Saturday's opponent, Matt “Meathead” Mitrione, an ex-NFL player who is taller, heavier, and younger than Slice.

“I normally like fighting bigger opponents. It's kinda what I'm used to.”

“You've got some advantages being a smaller heavyweight. You can kinda stay right underneath the radar, right underneath the chin.”

He's aware of the disadvantages as well, citing “unexpected knees, uppercuts.”

As far as how the fight is going to transpire, Slice predicts a throw-down brawl with the man with whom he spent eight weeks on the Ultimate Fighter reality series. “I don't expect Meathead to run. He's going to live up to his name.”

“His trainers might be like, 'take Kimbo the the ground and take him out (of) his element.' Him being a meathead he's going to want to stand and bang.”

Looking toward the future, Kimbo talks about his continuing dedication and the impact on his life. “I have six kids, the distractions will always be there. I have to make some sacrifices and isolate myself.”

When Slice first became a Youtube street-brawling sensation, it was mostly because he was a scary looking dude. Now people have begun to learn about his enthusiasm for improving his craft and about the family man behind the beard.

When Kimbo Slice enters the Octagon this Saturday, he'll be a big fan favorite. When asked specifically if he thinks he'll receive a warm reception in Montreal, Kimbo said, “If I come out with a (Canadiens) hockey jersey on, I believe so.