Mixed-Up Martial Hoax Artist

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0722091tulsa1.html

Tulsa man behind false death reports of Ultimate Fighting star

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JULY 22--The fabricated claim yesterday about the purported death of a former Ultimate Fighting Championship star was the handiwork of a self-described "Internet troll" with a "weird mind." Beau Taylor, a 31-year-old Oklahoma man, created a thread on a popular mixed martial arts (MMA) web site reporting that Kimo Leopoldo had died in Costa Rica of a heart attack. Taylor told TSG that he selected Leopoldo as the subject of the hoax in light of the fighter's arrest earlier this year on drug charges. "I thought it would be a good fit," said Taylor. The fabricated account of Leopoldo's death leapt beyond MMA web sites and bulletin boards when TMZ.com reported yesterday afternoon that it had "confirmed" the 41-year-old athlete's demise (this confirmation was presumably delivered by one of the gossip site's paid sources). The erroneous story was later yanked from the site, which is now batting .500 on recent death exclusives. For his part, Taylor's eventful week has also included a public intoxication arrest. He was busted early Sunday morning after security officers at a shopping center found him passed out in his car with the engine running, with "an open container of beer in the center console," according to a Tulsa Police Department report. Cops noted that Taylor reeked of alcohol and had difficulty standing. "Taylor said that he had left his house intoxicated in order to buy cigarettes," noted cops, who reported that Taylor said he had consumed three glasses of wine and six beers. Asked about his beaming mug shot, seen below, Taylor spoke of trying to strike the right booking photo balance: "You know, I didn't want to look like Nick Nolte," he said. "Or that I was too happy to be arrested."

 

Here's That Scumbag's Press Conference

http://www.tapoutlive.com/media/7565/Exclusive_OMA_Press_Conference/

 

http://www.mmanews.com/other/Exclusive:-Kimo-and-Manager-Talk-Fake-Death-Story-Much-More.html

Yesterday, when rumors began to spread that Kimo Leopoldo had past away, many fans were left wondering if the story was actually true. It began to spread like wild fire due to a rumor that began on one of the more popular MMA message boards out there and then was followed up with confirmations from the likes of TMZ.com. Kimo’s manager, Brandt Stebbins, spoke to TMZ about the issue

“I talked to TMZ and asked how they confirmed it and they wouldn’t tell me anything.” Stebbins told MMANews.com. “We then talked to the coroner’s office and sheriff because we knew he was in Orange County or LA. I finally seen Kimo face to face around 3:30pm and once I did I spoke to Kimo’s son who was distraught all day and he spoke to Kimo and other family members. The sheriff called us when they knew we found Kimo and wanted to do a press conference. They couldn’t receive any regular calls because the lines were so busy with people wondering about Kimo.”

A dangerous game to play when there are real stories out there and people that may have been in emergency situations, not able to make contact when they are in trouble due to phone lines being clogged up due to a fake rumor. Because of the pain and suffering caused from the incident, Stebbins says they will take action.

“Yes we are definitely going to take action. Kimo is the type of person that you can step on his toes and you can push him but he isn’t going to do anything but when his son spends a whole day balling his eyes out thinking his father is dead, and his family is going through all this mental anguish than we have to take action. We are on the hunt to find the name of this person. We believe it started on Mixedmartialarts.com so we will pursue that avenue. Our attorneys are now putting everything together to take further action. Something like this, even if he’s telling a joke, is something you don’t joke about. We talked to the coroner and he said in the 20 years he’s been doing the job he’s never seen anyone be confirmed dead when they weren’t dead.”

Another problem Stebbins and Kimo have is the fact the culprit seems to be getting a laugh out of the whole situation.

“We’ve been told this guy thinks it’s great and that it’s a big joke. We were also told that the owners of the website, even though they banned the guy, are loving this because of the traffic to their site. There is responsibility behind your actions in something like this. He thinks it’s funny and he’s all proud of himself but he doesn’t realize he hurt a poor kid here, he hurt a family, and he hurt the fans.”

When asked about his initial reaction to the news, Kimo was in shock,

“I was woken up and told the news and hopped on the computer and started browsing around. I was pretty startled by all this. The media has power to it so I was shocked at first. Then I got really upset about it, because some of my past actions, people assumed I had a heart attack due to drugs.”

Kimo then gave his thoughts on the type of person he sees doing something like this

“Honestly, I think it was a joke, maybe the guy didn’t think it was going to get so big. Obviously the guy doesn’t like me so he probably thought he was funny. I think the guy is a weakling who would be nice to my face and then do this kind of stuff behind my back. The damage is already done and there is no way to rectify it. People that I love have been hurt. Nothing can be done to fix the pain that was caused. What I would like to do is slap that fool just to wake him up and little and ask him how this feels.” Kimo continued “He probably through it out there as a joke, but on the other hand he doesn’t know or understand the damage he caused. It reminds me of some immature kid.”

Leopoldo is no stranger to the media attacking him in the past now and he feels this just goes to show how trust worthy the media can be.

“I think this is a blessing in disguise because it shows how shady the media can be.”

The UFC legend is also upset that the media outlets that reported the story as true, did not apologize for their mistake.

“The media has failed to apologize and has failed to show any remorse. All these sites with their false accusations couldn’t sit back and say “Hey Kimo, we made a mistake and we’re sorry”. That would be good enough for me everyone makes mistakes but to ignore it and pretend you didn’t report this is sad. TMZ did the most damage when they went ahead and confirmed.”

All fake death rumors aside, Kimo does have the desire to fight at least one more time.

“I want to fight one more time. Physically it really isn’t in the cards but emotionally and mentally it will be like my first fight. I went in there on faith and I had faith in God. I did it for God and he took care of me. I want to go out the same way I came in. I want to carry the cross. When I carried the cross I wasn’t doing drugs, or a womanizer, a hypocrite. Along the way I got lost in the Kimo glory and pride and once the fame and money came along I was led astray.”

And on whom he would like in that final match up

“I have the philosophy any fighter should have, any fight, and any time.”

 

Kimo Press Conference

http://www.ocregister.com/video/index.php?bcpid=1127694947&bclid=1125901233&bctid=30233422001