Why Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock makes sense for EliteXC

[jlruthven84]

Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson will get a shot at a UFC Hall of Fame fighter in his second prime-time appearance on CBS.

EliteXC has paired Slice with Ken Shamrock (26-13-2) in the main event of the third edition of EliteXC CBS Saturday Night Fights on Oct. 4 from the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla. The promotion and CBS will make the official announcement on Tuesday.

"This is the biggest fight that can be made right now," EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw today told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com). "It's bigger than Brett Rogers. It's bigger than Sean Gannon. Millions and millions have been entertained by Ken Shamrock over the years in Japan, in the UFC, and in the WWF, now the WWE. He's the biggest proven pay-per-view commodity in the sport. Together, those two will maximize the eyeballs for mixed martial arts on Oct. 4th."

While Rogers and Gannon were considered as opponents for Slice's fourth pro MMA bout, both carried more risk for EliteXC and Slice than Shamrock. The unbeaten Rogers criticized Slice (3-0) following the former backyard brawler's victory over James Thompson in May. Rogers would easily be the best fighter Slice has faced at this point in his career, and having Slice lose on CBS would be a significant setback for EliteXC as it builds to a major pay-per-view show in early 2009.

Gannon represented risk of different kind. The Boston cop is just 1-1 as a pro and hasn't fought since 2005. He's credited with a street-fight victory over Slice in a scrap that's become something of a legend on YouTube. However, resurrecting the street-fighting past of two fighters with a combined five pro fights between them would have been too much of a sideshow for network TV and alienated scores of MMA purists.

"It's a very, very legit and dangerous fight for both sides," said Shaw. "Ken says he's seen holes in Kimbo's game like Swiss cheese, and he's looking to expose them. And Kimbo Slice is the baddest man standing today in any combat sport."

In the 44-year-old Shamrock, EliteXC re-signs a fighter it cut in April following his knockout loss to Robert Berry in March. While Shamrock's skills have eroded, he's still a name in the sport that has the potential to draw viewers. CBS will promote this as the MMA version of "Rocky versus Clubber Lang" ala Rocky III. It's Shamrock, the wily veteran, looking to prove he still has game against the young wrecking machine Slice.

It could be good TV, even if it's not a great fight.

In an interview with MMAjunkie.com in June, Shamrock said Slice is "not ready" when asked about his development as a big-time fighter. Shamrock will now get a chance to decide firsthand just how much Slice has improved since he was tested against Thompson.

Prior to his taking a dive against Berry, I'd have picked Shamrock all day in this fight, but now I just don't know. If anything similar happens here, we could have something of a scandal on our hands. Still, I do find it amusing that Brett Rogers is definitely a bigger threat to Kimbo at this point than Shamrock.

Source: Why “Kimbo Slice� vs. Ken Shamrock makes sense for EliteXC | MMAjunkie.com

[Kimuras"R"Us]

"And Kimbo Slice is the baddest man standing today in any combat sport."

Gary Shaw is a moron. I don't care what idiotic shit Dana says for the rest of his life, this is the stupidest shit I've ever read. For all the shit everyone gives Dana....

[Noise Chopped]

Yea - That's a good point. I think...Most would probably take Brett Rogers over Ken Shamrock. Wish people would stop blaming KIMBO for the shit the PROMOTION does, but everything I've said falls on deaf ears.

Like I said in another post, I'm kinda hoping Kimbo loses just so people get off the guys back already. He's probably the fighter that's taken the most shit for no real good reason from people.

[ChrisAM]

"It's bigger than Brett Rogers. It's bigger than Sean Gannon. Millions and millions have been entertained by Ken Shamrock over the years in Japan, in the UFC, and in the WWF, now the WWE. He's the biggest proven pay-per-view commodity in the sport."

I stopped there, they are so fucking stupid, I get trying to sell the fight, but you don't have to bullshit people like that.

[Severn]

While Rogers and Gannon were considered as opponents for Slice's fourth pro MMA bout, both carried more risk for EliteXC and Slice than Shamrock. The unbeaten Rogers criticized Slice (3-0) following the former backyard brawler's victory over James Thompson in May. Rogers would easily be the best fighter Slice has faced at this point in his career, and having Slice lose on CBS would be a significant setback for EliteXC as it builds to a major pay-per-view show in early 2009.

So they can't afford to have him lose is what he's saying. Bah, it's something people expected anyway.

[atj-lucko]

Originally Posted by Noise Chopped

Yea - That's a good point. I think...Most would probably take Brett Rogers over Ken Shamrock. Wish people would stop blaming KIMBO for the shit the PROMOTION does, but everything I've said falls on deaf ears.

Like I said in another post, I'm kinda hoping Kimbo loses just so people get off the guys back already. He's probably the fighter that's taken the most shit for no real good reason from people.

True the guys been 100% respectful of mma, just look at the shit that Lesnar pulled off in his last fight, imagine if Kimbo did that.

People don't like Kimbo cause of his youtube days, and they just won't give this guy a break. They wanna see him lose so badly, why I don't know, they have to look within themselves and see why they hate him so much.

[leedogg900]

this fight appeals more to me then his previous fights. i hope kimbo ko's shammy.

[Severn]

Originally Posted by leedogg900

this fight appeals more to me then his previous fights. i hope kimbo ko's shammy.

The more I think about it the more I think Ken is fucked. He's prior glory has nothing to do with this fight. He's going to get his brains scrambled AGAIN. He really should retire.

Maybe after this Kimbo can fight Dan Severn. He's already KO'd Tank, most likely will KO Ken as well. Change his name to Kimbo "the Legend Killer" Slice. He can fight Don Frye after that.

[scottsec]

the baddest man in mma?....why even say something like that?...lol...

[cpac77]

Man it would be so awesome to see Ken own Kimbo and send him away from MMA for good. It would almost... it would definitely make up for the disheartening beatings we've seen Kenny take over the past few years. Kenny should do his final service to MMA by destroying Kimbo, and then retiring.

Sidenote, Dana would send hookers to Kenny the next day. Burying EXC's biggest draw even before they get to PPV.