Elite XC Returns To CBS On Saturday Night

NEW YORK — Kimbo Slice’s rise from street fighter to MMA is a remarkable journey. Many of Slice’s fights off the streets of Miami, FL, were viewed by millions. In the last two years, the legend of Kimbo Slice has grown along with his ability to fight competitively in an MMA setting.

On Saturday night from the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida, Slice’s celebrity and ability to fight more experienced opposition will be tested when he battles on of the most recognizable MMA fighters in history, Ken Shamrock.

Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock will be televised live on national television on CBS beginning at 9 p.m. ET. It’s one of the biggest MMA bouts that can be made.

“I’m honored to fight Ken Shamrock,” Slice told BASN during a media conference call. “I’m bragging about it. First of all, the respect that I got for a legendary fighter like Ken Shamrock is a lot of respect. To lose to Ken Shamrock, to me, is not a bad thing. But to kick his ass is better.”

Kimbo Slice is an intriguing fighter. A lot of people, including Shamrock, are not convinced with Slice’s tear through the MMA ranks. Although he is 3-0, 3 KOs professionally, Slice did it against limited or “washed-up” opposition.

“I have no respect for him — at all!” Shamrock said.

Slice’s win against Bob Cantrell and Tank Abbott lasted a combined 62 seconds. As soon as Kimbo let lose and released a punch, both fighters immediately hit the mat in the first few seconds of the bout. Cantrell, after taking one punch, actually tapped out.

Even though Slice showed an improved grapping and mat skills against Josh Thompson, some observers would say that it exposed Slice’s limitations as a fighter. One thing is for sure; Slice has a lot of power and proved in the Thompson fight that he can knock anyone out at any point during a heated battle.

Aside from being a knockout artist, Slice is focused in becoming a more complete fighter and will be ready for Shamrock.

“Every fight makes me a complete fighter,” Slice added. “Anything that comes down, I’m prepared for a lot of shit. Losing is not an option. Whatever happens, I learn from it. I’m ready to go hard. I’m actually ready for a fight.”

On paper, Shamrock appears to be the more dangerous fighter. Shamrock has been in the hardest MMA heavyweight fights in history. He has fought, beaten, and lost to the best.

However, in recent fights, what the MMA world has seen of Shamrock’s performances hasn’t had the stuff that legends are made of.

Shamrock: The latest Holyfield?

Ken Shamrock has sadly become the Evander Holyfield of MMA.

Holyfield, the only fighter in boxing history to win an Olympic medal, become undisputed world cruiserweight champion, and win the unified world heavyweight championship, has had one of the greatest careers for a heavyweight boxer in history.

Like Holyfield, Shamrock was at the top of MMA. Shamrock was classic. He was legendary. He was more than a fierce competitor. Shamrock was an MMA beast.

However, in the last five-plus years of his career, Holyfield’s name and legacy has been somewhat tarnished. Fighting into his 40s, Holyfield has looked old and lost to fighters he shouldn’t have been in the ring with including: Larry Donald, Chris Byrd, James Toney, John Ruiz, Sultan Ibragimov.

Unfortunately, Shamrock is suffering the same fate as Holyfield. Shamrock is 44 and has lost seven of his last eight fights. That includes a five-fight losing streak by knockout.

All five knockout losses have occurred in the very first round.

“I want to apologize for my last couple of performances in MMA.” Shamrock stated. “I apologize for that. There’s no excuse for it. I had my reasons. But I will tell you this… On Oct. 4, I will shut everybody up. I will make any amends for those performances by putting Kimbo Slice’s lights out.”

Can Shamrock pull off a Brett Favre?

Everyone questioned going into the 2008 NFL season whether New York Jets star quarterback Brett Favre can still throw a football the way he did with the Green Bay Packers. This past Sunday, the 40 year-old Favre silenced all doubters with a six-touchdown passing performance, as the Jets defeated the Arizona Cardinals 56-35.

It was a resounding performance.

The question that clouds Shamrock as he approaches Kimbo Slice is whether the aging MMA warrior can still win a big fight? Shamrock is on a terrible losing streak and a victory against a younger and perhaps fiercer competitor like Slice could somehow convince people that Shamrock still has something left.

A Shamrock triumph over Kimbo would be by Favre, fantastic.

The undercard

In addition to Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock, MMA/fight fans will also witness the featured bouts: Jake Shields makes the first defense of his EliteXC welterweight title against Paul Daley.

The popular female sensation Gina Carano battles Kelly Kobold in a women’s 140-pound bout. Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski challenges Roy “Big Country” Nelson. Also, Murilo “Ninja” Rua takes on Benji Radach in a middleweight fight.