"Inside MMA" video: Is Kimbo Slice right for primetime? With a heavily-marketed, primetime slot on CBS just days away, did EliteXC President Gary Shaw make the proper decision in featuring street-fighting legend Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson in the night's main event? At least one fighter doesn't think so. Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia shared his thoughts during the latest edition of "Inside MMA," which provided MMAjunkie.com "I just don't agree with (him being in) the main event," Sylvia said. "Don't get me wrong, Kimbo is a hell of an athlete -- big, strong, tough guy. And I believe he's doing the right things to become a better person. I just didn't like how he became famous on the Internet. It gives the wrong impression to kids nowadays. They see Kimbo made this big impact by fighting on the Internet and fighting guys on the street. "I feel you're going to have kids fighting on the street and making all these videos and putting them on YouTube hoping they can get the same break that Kimbo did." Right or wrong, "Kimbo Slice" will be watched by what could end up being the largest audience ever to watch an MMA fight in North America. "Gary Shaw said they expect three to four million people to watch," "Inside MMA" host and longtime fighter Bas Rutten said. "I actually think it's going to exceed that, to tell you the truth. I think a lot of people are going to watch this show." Beyond "Kimbo," the card will feature a middleweight title bout between champion Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith, as well as a female match-up between Gina Carano and Kaitlin Young. Sylvia feels those bouts will be the real draw to the network television presentation. "I truly believe Robbie Lawler and Scott (Smith) have earned the right to be the main event," Sylvia said. "I really think Gina (Carano) is the real deal, too. She's not just a flash in the pan that's a pretty face. The girl can fight." (www.mmajunkie.com) with the enclosed discussion clip. Dudes on point. I cant disagree with a word he said.
Kimbo should'nt be the main event because he's a blood journeyman. That's the main issue for me. It's taking the **** out of the other fighter's. Especially Lawler who is pretty much the Pride middleweight champion in my eye's.
I look at it like this, Kimbo brings alot of mainstream media attention, and without him there wouldn't be nearly as much of a draw to this event. Should Lawler be the main event as champion? Of course, he rightfully deserves it way more than a guy with 3 fights. But, instead of having to watch Lawler on a youtube video of a bootleg from the stands, or a Yahoo stream, I get to watch him live on CBS.
Exactly why the **** is he in the main event ? Lawler is a Champion in 2 different orgs including Elite XC and has accomplished more in this sport then Kimbo will ever accomplish. Title bouts should always be main events. Gary Shaw is spoon feeding Kimbo his opponets first its Bo Cantrell,a 50 year old bar rat in Tank,now Thompson who gets KOed in 1 minute every time he fights including to Rogers whos fighting a unknown on the undercard. Then you got Shaw calling out a fat 43 year old Tyson whos addicted to coke and hasnt won a real fight in 5 years.
Kimbo is a huge name now and if he continues to the top it will only help market MMA. Kimbo said if Chuck Liddell wants to hate on fellow MMA fighters then he needs to put a bug in Kimbo's ear then if he has a problem with him. Rutten said Kimbo hits the hardest of anyone he can remember fighting and thats with protection on. :yep