C'mon now. Really...

[rekcutnevets]

What is so hard to understand about Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson?

Kimbo has very little back ground in the sports fighting world. There is no amateur boxing to speak of. I haven't seen any martial arts competition experience. He was never an amateur wrestler. All I have seen, before entering mma, are wins over nobody oposition with what looked like modified boxing rules.

Kimbo is still appealing. He is athletic, and appears to work hard. He has his own, pirate like, look as well. It is not his fault people are willing to buy what he can sell.

James Thompson is bigger and stronger. Thompson also has 22 mma fights, compared to 3 for Slice(if you count Mercer). How many times do people at such an experience disadvantage face off, with the inexperienced fighter being the overwhelming favorite?

Why is it such a big deal that Kimbo struggled, and nearly lost to Thompson? That Kimbo is so hyped? He has an appeal that causes even non fight fans to pay attention. That he gets payed more than more establised veterans? This is not fair, but neither is life. If people are paying to see him then why shouldn't he benefit?

If you like mma, Kimbo brings more attention to the sport. If he can't succeed, he proves that not just anyone can do it and will quickly fade away. If he suceeds, he is an awsome talent that brings more attention to the sport.

...what's the problem?

[Polymath]

...what's the problem?

Probably that what amounted to a fixed-fight featuring a (at best) sideshow was the main event in MMA's big network TV foray. Nothing against Kimbo personally, its the circumstances.

[québecwarrior]

tell what make him athletic please

[rekcutnevets]

Originally posted by quebecwarrior
tell what make him athletic please
Speed and strength.

[québecwarrior]

Speed and strength.
Speed?

[lawton]

What is so hard to understand about Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson?

Kimbo has very little back ground in the sports fighting world. There is no amateur boxing to speak of. I haven't seen any martial arts competition experience. He was never an amateur wrestler. All I have seen, before entering mma, are wins over nobody oposition with what looked like modified boxing rules.

Kimbo is still appealing. He is athletic, and appears to work hard. He has his own, pirate like, look as well. It is not his fault people are willing to buy what he can sell.

James Thompson is bigger and stronger. Thompson also has 22 mma fights, compared to 3 for Slice(if you count Mercer). How many times do people at such an experience disadvantage face off, with the inexperienced fighter being the overwhelming favorite?

Why is it such a big deal that Kimbo struggled, and nearly lost to Thompson? That Kimbo is so hyped? He has an appeal that causes even non fight fans to pay attention. That he gets payed more than more establised veterans? This is not fair, but neither is life. If people are paying to see him then why shouldn't he benefit?

If you like mma, Kimbo brings more attention to the sport. If he can't succeed, he proves that not just anyone can do it and will quickly fade away. If he suceeds, he is an awsome talent that brings more attention to the sport.

...what's the problem?

It was good for Kimbo that he had to fight 3 rounds. That is experience he needs to build up.

[Beebs]

...what's the problem?

The crookedness of screwing James Thompson.

[rekcutnevets]

He appears slow to you?

[québecwarrior]

He appears slow to you?
not slow, average

[rekcutnevets]

I apologize, quebecwarrior. I must be easily impressed. I don't think he'll be giving Belfort a run for his money; but Slice looks faster than Sylvia, Couture, Coleman, others that are currently better than he is.

[sugarngold]

What is so hard to understand about Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson?

Kimbo has very little back ground in the sports fighting world. There is no amateur boxing to speak of. I haven't seen any martial arts competition experience. He was never an amateur wrestler. All I have seen, before entering mma, are wins over nobody oposition with what looked like modified boxing rules.

Kimbo is still appealing. He is athletic, and appears to work hard. He has his own, pirate like, look as well. It is not his fault people are willing to buy what he can sell.

James Thompson is bigger and stronger. Thompson also has 22 mma fights, compared to 3 for Slice(if you count Mercer). How many times do people at such an experience disadvantage face off, with the inexperienced fighter being the overwhelming favorite?

Why is it such a big deal that Kimbo struggled, and nearly lost to Thompson? That Kimbo is so hyped? He has an appeal that causes even non fight fans to pay attention. That he gets payed more than more establised veterans? This is not fair, but neither is life. If people are paying to see him then why shouldn't he benefit?

If you like mma, Kimbo brings more attention to the sport. If he can't succeed, he proves that not just anyone can do it and will quickly fade away. If he suceeds, he is an awsome talent that brings more attention to the sport.

...what's the problem?
I don't have a problem with Kimbo. I enjoyed the fight against Thompson. I think some fans object because Kimbo is drawing more attention than fighters such as Fedor, Couture, Arlovski who should most likely be considered more deserving of main eventing a pay-per-view due to their contributions to the sport. But this comes down to business. Kimbo sells tickets. Make him the main event. It seems like a no-brainer. Budo does not matter in the business world. Technique does not matter in the business world. $$$ is all that matters. Kimbo = $$$.

I don't care if Kimbo sells or not - but I can say that I would have much rather seen the main event of the inagural Saturday Night Fights feature Cung Le and Robbie Lawler for the STRIKEFORCE/ELITE XC middleweight title.

[geppy]

Headline on Yahoo.com "CBS, Kimbo make 'mockery' of MMA..."


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[Big T]

So Kimbo couldn't knock down JT, so what kind of MMA fighter dose that make Butterbean?

[rekcutnevets]

Originally Posted by Big T
So Kimbo couldn't knock down JT, so what kind of MMA fighter dose that make Butterbean?
Butterbean is around 350 lbs, has 17 mma fights, 88 lower level professional boxing matches, and numerous tough man wins. I believe that would make Butterbean a much bigger, more experienced fighter that has proved himself to be at a higher level than Kimbo.

I have never claimed Kimbo to be the next best thing. I don't feel he is deserving of fights with Couture or Fedor. I'm just trying to say if people are willing to pay to see this limited experienced fighter, then why not let them? Does he deserve title shots? No. Does he deserve the attention? Getting attention is different that getting a title shot. It is not based on reward for accomplishment. Attention has its own rules. Attention comes from interest, and people find Kimbo interesting.

I said before that Butterbean has proven himself to be a higer level mma fighter than Kimbo at the moment. When you compare those accomplishments to someone who's had like 8 modified boxing rules fights against fighters with less credentials than many of Butterbean's professional boxing opponents, one unofficial mma fight, and now 3 mma fights with someone like Butterbean's; it doesn't seem like much. I do have to admit that if a fighter with such limited experience is already a notch below someone with such an extensive background does at least say something positive about the guy.

[steelem]

do any of you watch insidemma - elite xc director was on with kimbo before saturdays event - he said kimbo is the furture of mma - so it doesnt surprise if there was a fix - kimbo best be ready for his next challenger as that black dude who was fighting in the first show looked well mean!!

[sugarngold]

do any of you watch insidemma - elite xc director was on with kimbo before saturdays event - he said kimbo is the furture of mma - so it doesnt surprise if there was a fix - kimbo best be ready for his next challenger as that black dude who was fighting in the first show looked well mean!!

I think Kimbo would flatten Rogrs. Rogers has no respect for him, but Bas Rutten can prepare Kimbo for a still rough around the edges fighter such as Rogers.

[Punisher33]

Kimbo is extremely popular, the mans fighting style and look is what draws the big crowds. I see Kimbo as the Tyson of the MMA world, not talent wise, but the intensity and fire people love to see. I'm not a huge fan of the MMA, but Kimbo really has got my attention, I wish the best for him in the future.

[Ubersteve]

Stick him in with Overeem and see what happens.

[RUSKULL]

The crookedness of screwing James Thompson.

Kimbo appeared to tap out in the second but the ref wouldn't let him!:rofl

[rekcutnevets]

I watched the fight when it aired, and not since.

When does this tap happen?

[sugarngold]

I watched the fight when it aired, and not since.

When does this tap happen?

I didn't see a tap in the second round - but I remember thinking Kimbo tapped when first trapped in that guillotine by Thompson in the first round. Upon subsequent viewings, I do not think Kimbo tapped - but I can't tell you what he was doing with his hand. He just kind of waves it for a second. :huh

[sugarngold]

Kimbo is extremely popular, the mans fighting style and look is what draws the big crowds. I see Kimbo as the Tyson of the MMA world, not talent wise, but the intensity and fire people love to see. I'm not a huge fan of the MMA, but Kimbo really has got my attention, I wish the best for him in the future.

Thanks for your comment. That's a perfect example of why Kimbo is good for MMA. Some new fans will come to MMA for Kimbo and then stick around for BJ Penn, GSP, Cung Lee, Anderson Silva, Wanderlai Silva, CHuck Liddell, etc. . .

[rekcutnevets]

I remember seeing him give the thumbs up sign to the ref, like he was saying he was ok, to the ref while he was caught in the gillotine. I did not know that's what people were talking about. I thought people were talking about an actual attempt to quit.

[sugarngold]

I remember seeing him give the thumbs up sign to the ref, like he was saying he was ok, to the ref while he was caught in the gillotine. I did not know that's what people were talking about. I thought people were talking about an actual attempt to quit.

I've heard mention of a phantom tap in the second round when Thompson had Kimbo trapped in that top crucefix. I didn't notice it so I'm not sure when it was supposed to have happened. Kimbo sure didn't rush to his corner after round 2! That was almost a TKO right there - but thanks to crafty cornerman Bas Rutten for running over and picking Kimbo up off the canvas between rounds. :yep

[Punisher33]

Thanks for your comment. That's a perfect example of why Kimbo is good for MMA. Some new fans will come to MMA for Kimbo and then stick around for BJ Penn, GSP, Cung Lee, Anderson Silva, Wanderlai Silva, CHuck Liddell, etc. . . Yep, Kimbo's not the most talented, but his fighting style and street tough appeal is what drives me and alot of others to him. If Bas keeps working with him, he will get better, and not always have rely on his powerful punches.

[Koa]

He's got a good aggressive style and is very grateful about his opportunity in MMA.. He has had nothing bad to say about people who have spoken down to him, which shows he is a person of good character.. I didn't like his hype train, I believe he is a B level fighter who has risen to that status through hard work and determination. I like him now, especially after his response to Dana White and Chuck Liddel, who basically called him garbage..

In the end, he has very respectable standup which is unique and pretty much self taught. I would dare call it, "good standup." He couples this with some aggressive grappling and he will be as good and more entertaining that just about any bum out there.. He's one of those guys that really could have been a great MMA fighter had someone started training him early.. Very good raw talent.

[RUSKULL]

I only saw the fight once as it wasn't worth wasting the space on my DVR but it appeared as if Kimbo tapped Thompson's arm in the second round................my wife noticed it at the same time.

[RUSKULL]

Check YouTube, there are a few mentions of it, especially from Brett Rogers, a real MMA fighter with a lot more potential than Ferguson.

He calls Kimbo an embarassment to MMA & says he tapped out in the second round to the applause of many in the crowd.

I doubt Shaw lets his money machine Kimbo in the ring against Thompson anytime soon.................

[AJAX]

The fight should have been stopped when Thompson had him down at the end of the second and pounding his head in the matt and Kinbo not even responding.....And then the quick standup when Thompson had him down....It was the quickest standup I think i've ever seen. And then the ref stopping the fight when Thompson was taking a few shots.....it was no different then the shots he was taking earlier in the fight. You peice all those together and it was obvious what was going on.

[sugarngold]

2 months later. . .opinions changed any?