In the 12 hours since the first mixed martial arts show on prime time network television, I've received dozens of questions from people who are new to the sport and aren't quite sure what they saw when Kimbo Slice beat James Thompson. I'll answer some of those questions here.
Was the fight rigged?
No. Although I disagree with referee Dan Miragliotta's decision to step in and stop the fight, quick stoppages happen in MMA and boxing all the time. I respect Miragliotta as a referee and believe he genuinely thought Thompson, who was bleeding profusely from his ear, needed to be protected.
Did EliteXC want Kimbo to win?
Yes. Kimbo is by far the organization's most popular fighter. EliteXC boss Gary Shaw was obviously rooting for Kimbo, and his son entered the cage with Kimbo.
Is Kimbo a good MMA fighter?
No. I doubt there's a single heavyweight under contract to UFC who would even struggle to beat him. Most UFC light heavyweights would beat him. Some UFC middleweights would beat him, and there might even be a couple of welterweights and lightweights who could beat him. UFC fighters are skilled athletes; Kimbo is a curiosity.
If the fight had gone the distance, who would have won?
Probably Thompson. Through two rounds, Bloody Elbow reports, Thompson was leading 20-17 on one card and 20-18 on another. It was tied 19-19 on a third. So even if Kimbo had won the third round 10-9 on all three judges' cards, Thompson would have won a split decision. Obviously, we don't know what would have happened in the rest of the third round, but the early stoppage was fortunate for Kimbo.
Where does Kimbo go next?
Unless the CBS ratings were terrible, he'll get another prime time fight. It might be against IFL heavyweight champion Roy Nelson, whom I've criticized in the past, but who I now think, having watched last night's fight, would have to be favored to beat Kimbo.
Does UFC need to be worried about EliteXC?
No. UFC 84 was a much better card than last night's EliteXC show, and UFC 85 will be, too. Tonight's WEC show will be, too, and WEC is owned by UFC's parent company. I'm all for putting MMA on free TV, but fans recognize that the best MMA is on UFC pay-per-view, not on CBS.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-01-2008 @ 11:16AM
Oh No Romo said...
Enough of this Elite XC crap. My Gary Shaw ulcer needs to go away. The WEC should cure it just like that.
Reply
6-01-2008 @ 2:48PM
troy wohlgemuth said...
iT WAS RIGGED AND IT WAS BULLSHIT. ANOTHER VERSION OF THE CORRUPT BOXING PROFESSION. I WOULD NOT DOUBT IT IF THOMPSON WAS PAID TO LOSE. LOOK AT THE PADDY CAKE HITS TO KIMBO WHEN HE WAS LAYING ON HIM FOR A MINUTE AND A HALF. THIS MAN WEIGHS 256 LBS. WHAT A JOKE!
Reply
6-01-2008 @ 12:01PM
jonsey said...
Elite XC is pushing MMA in the wrong direction (closer to professional wrestling). The main attraction doesn't possess fundamental mma skills and is fighting second rate (and lower) fighters as the main event!!??? What?? CBS is simply trying to market an inferior product. Both fighters gassed; thomposon tapped kimbo for several minutes with the softest forearms I've ever seen (can't really even call them elbow strikes); Kimbo couldn't defend himself on teh ground; kimbo didn't know how to hip escape; the announcer didn't know the difference between a kimura and an Americana.... They might attract some new fans at first, but unless they get better quickly, true mma fans will go elsewhere.
Reply
6-01-2008 @ 12:43PM
Tony P said...
The women's fight was the best one!!! I think the doc and the refs are too worried of making a bad decision and having someone dead or permanently injured. It's better for them to get booed then to wake up every day thinking, I should have stopped it.
It's a tough job. Maybe if you got more than 5 minutes recovery for an eye poke we could have seen the ending of another great fight. It is an exciting sport! I hope it stays and grows!!
Reply
6-01-2008 @ 12:19PM
MMA Fan said...
Elite XC had potential, but it was too much of a circus atmosphere. There were dancing girls (which were nice in their own way) and Busta Rymes hopping around the stage before fighters came out. I think it took Phil Baroni three days to make it to the cage between his "dancing" and profiling for the crowd. Maybe if he had saved some of that energy for the cage, he could have put on a better perfomance against his opponent. It was kind of like the NFL days when the players carried out a 30 minute scripted dance after each touch down. Yes, it was still NFL football, but it was kind of demeaning to the athletes and took dignity from the game.
Reply
6-01-2008 @ 12:39PM
Shevon Kelly said...
Kimbo Slice is a fraud, fake name & probably fake footaqe on youtube. Kimbo is being propped up by fighting a bunch of chumps. He is being hyped so people can make money. Kimbo is a chump and fraud!
Reply
6-01-2008 @ 12:55PM
Hoot said...
Kimbo was nervous agout bringing this sport to primetime. He had the "1st fight jitters", and this wore him down. Kimbo would have beat this guy to death if he continued to hit him at the end. He is still new to the sport. He will be as tough as he wants to be when can relax in the octagon. The early stoppages of the fights were due to the Elite XC not wanting this to look like a blood sport the 1st time out on Primetime.
Reply
6-01-2008 @ 9:58PM
David Nowakowski said...
Randy Couture would crush Kimbo within the first minute. The UFC fighters are to Kimbo as what Kimbo is to the unskilled street brawlers. Kimbo was gased quickly. Even though if the fight was not stopped I did see Kimbo finishing it unless you got taken down to the ground. GSP, Chuck Liddell, Anderson Silva are only a few of the fighters that would destroy Kimbo. All of the UFC heavyweights would crush him. Kimbo is all hype. No real leigtimate wins for him. I am happy Dana White does not sign fighters based on popularity. Elite had some bad stoppages also. I would never pay for this event on pay per view. UFC has nothing to worry about.
Reply
6-01-2008 @ 3:24PM
The Boss said...
most people do not know how the fighting world works..its simple..pay the fighters lesss while the top guys make all the money..like GARY SHAW (HE OWNS KIMBO)
kIMBO CAN NOT FIGHT..and for his size trust me..he does NOT punch hard..sure it seems it with 4 oz gloves on but as in boxing..he COULDNT CRACK AN EGG....he's a money ticket for GARY SHAW (owns ELITE XC) he will ride the kimbo thing till he gets exposed & loses..then throw him away...thats why the UFC was smart enough to NOT take him..he;s not a bad guy..but belongs in back yard brawls..and lets not forget the fight on youtube he did lose...
Reply
6-01-2008 @ 4:04PM
JoeT said...
another tomato can.
http://www.fromthecage.com
Reply
6-01-2008 @ 3:54PM
aintscared said...
I have been a fan of mma since the first UFC payper view(93).Last night was a disgrace.I have been to a live Elitexc event and had high hopes(despite the dancing)but after the stoped finger poke,and the bloody ear Im not a fan.Kimbo is not a mma fighter, nor does he belong in the octagon.Scott Smith was robbed.I believe both fights were stopped because fav. fighter was losing.MMa has fought hard for respect they deserve.Elite should be ashamed of thier show.The excuse of Prime-TV doesnt cut it.The only bright spot was the women.
Reply
6-01-2008 @ 5:18PM
The Boss said...
who ever said 'I dont care if it was on prime time' is right..but being in the fight world its all again about $$ to be on prime time..they get 'coached' and warned to not let to much violence on prime time..(the promoter,ref's etc) or no tv deal = no $$ and places like BK would drop it again about $$
Reply