Kimbo Slice Vs. Mike Tyson Would Put MMA Back 10 Years
MMA May 17th. 2008, 2:50pm
Ten years doesn’t seem like a long time, but in a sport that’s been in the public eye for only a relatively short time, it’s an eternity. So when I hear something like a rumored Mike Tyson – Kimbo Slice fight, I cringe.
Before I go on, I must repeat that this is unsubstantiated rumor that could have been written on April 1st. And while we don’t usually “report” on rumors, someone asked EliteXC’s Live Events President, Gary Shaw about it and he was open to it.
“I have the media report about Mike,” Shaw said during a media conference call today. “I’ve had no discussions with Mike or anyone around Mike. I know Mike. Yes, I would make that fight in a heartbeat.”
Let’s be clear – Kimbo Slice vs Iron Mike would automatically be the most famous mixed martial arts fight in the history of the sport. It would feature an internet sensation and the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world in boxing. Basically, it would be the first fight that featured two fighters nearly everyone has heard of.
And it would be a freak show. Tyson was last seen quitting at the beginning of the 7th round against Kevin McBride in 2005. Since then Jimmy Kimmel and Bill Simmons have been using him to box kangaroos on late night television. (I don’t really need to recap how he’s crazy, right?)
As for Slice, he’s the hottest thing in MMAinstream right now. He’s gaining name recognition by beating up guys who were once almost-somebodies. On May 31st, he’ll be the main event on the first ever nationally televised MMA event. He’s got an air of invincibility and could someday become a legitimate force in MMA.
Putting him in a cage with Mike Tyson isn’t the way to do that. The idea of these two facing off under the guise of a real fight promoter is absurd. It would be the equivalent of human cockfighting. There would be no skill involved. It wouldn’t be Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson, the up and coming heavyweight contender versus the former boxing champ. It would be the guy who beat up people in backyards while wearing sweatpants against the biggest freak show in the history of sports. The only thing missing would be Dennis Rodman playing the referee.
So, while Gary Shaw and EliteXC might be “open” to the idea of the fight they shouldn’t be. It won’t help Kimbo Slice’s legitimization (which should be priority #1) in the world of MMA and it certainly won’t help turn your organization into a legitimate contender to the UFC’s crown. In the end something like this would turn into a televised affirmation of everything people think is wrong with Mixed Martial Arts.
11 Responses to “Kimbo Slice Vs. Mike Tyson Would Put MMA Back 10 Years”
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May 17th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Gary Shaw really wants me to hate Elite XC. This is such a joke it’s not even funny. If Tyson and Kimbo want to go at it, put them in a freakin boxing ring.
May 17th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
FYI: I think Gary Shaw is a joke. He thought MMA was a joke four years ago.
May 17th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
MMA is teh gay.
May 17th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Never heard of ‘em.
May 17th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I know Dana White has said numerous times that he wants to stay away from the “freak” fights. But, there’s no evidence to suggest that they hurt Pride in any way, the fixed fights notwithstanding.
So how exactly does it set MMA back? The hardcore fans no exactly how to differentiate who’s legitimate and who’s not (Tank Abbott). So what’s the big deal here. Sometimes you err on the side of entertainment.
May 17th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
And yes, I spelled “no” like a 5-year old.. I’m that cool.
May 17th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Of course it wouldn’t set it back in the eyes of actual fans, but in a sport that is growing this would be the defining image for people just being introduced to MMA. And a Mike Tyson fight – billed against a “street brawler” would surely attract casual viewers.
May 17th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
But my question is what’s the harm? So people see a fight in which Kimbo dodges a punch and gets a two-legged takedown, then proceeds to ground and pound Tyson. How does that result in the decline of the sport? I’m just not seeing the connection I guess. Their PPV buyrates show that even if the sport never gains one more new fan, it’s self sustaining.
May 17th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
HA! Great one-liner. I don’t even follow MMA, and I think this would be nothing more than a “sweeps” type ratings getter. I might watch, but just for the carnival aspect.
May 17th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
If ever UFC ever wants to go public (which I’m sure the money hungry Dana White will have no problem convincing the Fertittas is best for their organization), then self-sustaining will not be good enough.
May 17th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
ground and pound > gay