The MMA Digest

Tom Casino/EliteXC

With his huge fanbase from Youtube street fight dominance, and successful hop into MMA, Kimbo Slice has become a huge asset for Elite XC. They understood the potential of Kimbo and the loads of buzz surrounding him, and astutely signed him to long-term deal in 2007. Kimbo’s recent win over “Tank” Abbott was a impressive performance, with his quick KO over the UFC veteran. Of course Tank is not a top flight competitor in the heavyweight division, which has drawn much talk about Kimbo’s victory. “When will he fight a real contender?”, some have questioned. There is some negatively which likely stems from the loads of hype and attention Kimbo is attracting. Oddly enough, that will bring even more attention to the Miami brawler turned MMA fighter. He is absolutely a polarizing figure in the sport.

Kimbo’s situation is a very unique one to MMA. He is the first notorious street fighter to enter into the sport. And that notoriety is causing many fans to want him to be tested against top flight competition. But in reality he’s fought 2 fights and an exhibition bout, which were all very quick fights. It’s not fair for a fighter who has just about 2.5 fights under his belt to hop into fighting top 10 fighters.

The problem is Kimbo arrived onto the scene with so much fanfare, and thus will not be able to follow a “normal” MMA career path, if there is such a thing to begin with. An interesting example relating to this situation would be Jorge Masvidal, a Miami native and lightweight MMA fighter. Masvidal was also featured in one of famous street fighting Youtube videos shot in Miami, where he twice defeated one of Kimbo’s protege. Masvidal, however did not generate a cult following as Kimbo did, with his unique look, toughness, thunderous knockouts, heavyweight stature, and long string of victories. Masvidal jumped into MMA and over 4-5 years worked his way up the ranks and to become a very respected and dangerous lightweight with wins over UFC vets such as Joe Lauzon and Yves Edwards. Masvidal was able to pursue his career without having the pressure of factors such as pleasing fans, an organization’s vested interest in him, and other elements play into his matchmaking as it does with Kimbo’s fights.

Nonetheless, for Kimbo, he’s in a very fortunate situation where he has the ability to run with the steam he has picked up and potentially financially free himself and his family for life. Lucky for himself, he is not a novelty act and has staying power. With natural ability to strike with his hands, good head movement, a great athletic background, ability to take a punch and throw very hard ones himself, he’s a force at heavyweight for sure. Of course he will have to work his way up the ladder and put in the time, just like every other fighter has to and just like the way it works in every other profession aside from fighting. He still is a baby in the sport. Albeit a very scary baby. And one of his most beneficial assets is his strong desire to inflict hurt his opponent in the cage. Kimbo genuinely is interested in inflicting damage in competition, and in MMA, that’s the name of the game.

The folks at Elite XC see his potential and marketability, so Kimbo’s in good position in that his success greatly profits them too. So Elite XC will definitely be looking out for his best interest. And for the fans wondering when he’ll fight a real contender, well if he keeps winning and moving the ranks, I would assume in due time. Until then, he is still just a fighter who has fought twice and is getting his feet wet in the sport; and should be treated as such, no matter how much hype is surrounds him.