Sports Talk: Everyone's Got An Opinion About Kimbo

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Site Last Updated: 5:46 AM EDT, May 15, 2008	Make BallerStatus Your Homepage

Published: Tuesday - May 6, 2008
Words by Mike Monson

Kimbo Slice
Photo: Kimbo305.com

I was doing my daily check of ESPN.com when I came across an article written by LZ Granderson, a Page 2 columnist and a senior writer with ESPN: The Magazine. In his column, he refers to streetfighting veteran and MMA fighter, Kimbo, as a runaway slave, and a cross between Lil Wayne and Kunta-Kinta with a mouth full of gold teeth.

I must say I was shocked to read those words. But I continued to read the article and came across other things LZ wrote that I feel were unfair towards Kimbo and the sport of MMA. I do not feel Kimbo is playing up a stereotype. He has been branded a street thug because of his YouTube fights obliviously, but I've never heard or read anywhere of Kimbo being arrested, violating probation or parole. I can name more then a few well known fighters (I won't 'cause sh** happens) that are on probation, have been to jail for assault, and even assault on an officer, and they are not branded with the "I'm a thug" stamp.

In fact, the fighters I'm thinking of are world class athletes, and that is how they should be known. Not for a bad night out. Kimbo, however, is considered a thug. He should be judged on how he fights and trains not by his beard and skin color.

Kimbo does have a lot to prove to hardcore MMA fans, and most don't believe he is capable of fighting at the level of top tier fighters. That is what the Kimbo haters all say: "He hasn't fought anyone." I agree, but also he has admitted that he is new to the sport and needs to learn a lot of new techniques. Even his coach Bass Rutten, who is a former UFC heavyweight champ, has said they are going to bring him along at steady pace, and that is the smart thing to do. Why would you throw him to the wolves after only three fights?

When I watched the first UFC back in 1993, I thought it was the coolest thing. To have people from all sorts of martial arts back rounds fight was great. I kept watching and became a big fan, and I remember when Tito Ortiz made his debut, his style of fighting was considered "street fighting," just how Kimbo is considered today. I thought that was cool and I couldn't wait to see what he could do and he beat the sh** out of Guy Mezger, but Tito lost anyways via a gullieton choke. But I wanted to see Tito fight again. When I did get to see Tito fight again, he was more polished. He didn't get tapped with the same move. In fact, he was never tapped out again.

Also a fighter by the name of Sakuraba comes to mind. His style was "pro-wrestling," as in fake pro-wrestling, but his jiu-jitsu was better then most of the Brazilians and he could throw his hands pretty good.

The point I'm making is that these two fighters came from two completely different cultures, and later developed into top tier MMA fighters. To me, this is what makes MMA the best sport on the planet.

Kimbo does have a long road to travel to get to that top echelon level of fighters, but he also has the right coach to get him there. Plus, he is obviously gifted with size and strength. No MMA fighter has or had the hype that Kimbo has, but the sport of MMA has exploded thanks to the UFC over the last few years, so it was only a matter of time before the search for the "Mike Tyson of MMA" came along. Is Kimbo Slice is that person? I'm not sure if he will be the "Mike Tyson of the sport," but one thing is for sure, Kimbo is MMA's public enemy #1.

To read the full ESPN article I'm referencing, visit ESPN.com.

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COMMENTS (5)

Curtis Says:
Thursday - May 15, 2008 at 4:35am

First of all LZ Granderson is a jackass for saying that. Lil Wayne is 5'6", Kimbo is 6'3". Wayne probably weighs around 140-150, Kimbo weighs a good 250-300 lbs. Wayne has dreads and barely even has a beard, Kimbo is bald and has as much hair on his jaw than Dr.J had on his head back in his heyday(Ok, maybe thats an exaggeration). As for the whole UFC vs EliteX deal UFC signed a contract to the Boston Police Officer guy who is the only person to beat Kimbo in a street fight(only because he had him in a choke hold for 75% of the fight, and Kimbo was still eatin his plate even though he was tired as hell) so I think EliteX got an idea to grab some attention by signing Kimbo. Mike Tyson of MMA may be an overstatement. The man is what around 35 years old just getting into the sport? He may be well past his prime if he had started when he was younger. As for "He hasn't fought anyone." that man beat Ray Mercer without even using his hardest punch. Last time I checked Ray Mercer was no joke.

Kimbo Slice Says:
Sunday - May 11, 2008 at 6:44pm

Who talkin shit? talk shit get hit lil nigga.

MMA Fanatic Says:
Friday - May 9, 2008 at 6:08am

I agree with ya man. Kimbo should just stick to what he's doing and work his way up. The media is always gonna come down on him because he's so popular, but if he trains and keeps doing what he's doing he should be ok.

Jerrell Says:
Tuesday - May 6, 2008 at 12:28am

Kimbo is the best, is going to be the best... They don't want him in the UFC cause their scared of him. THEY KNOW THIS NICCA HIT HARD!

Angela withers Says:
Tuesday - May 6, 2008 at 7:02am

There is no-one to touch James Whale's chat show. the stand-ins you have had in over the past few weeks just don't compare with James. I listen to see who it is and 99% of the time turn is straight off. What a shame and what a loss to us listeners I think Talk Sport will live to regret this.