By Brett “The Conqueror” Beverly
I admit, after three months of MMA boredom, I was ready to cancel my subscription to Showtime. Then entered Kimbo Slice.
Due to his size, stature and reputation, Kimbo, and fighters like him, has become something fighters like Fedor Emelianenko or Quinton Jackson could never be, a sideshow.
Hold off on the hate mail; hear me out.
After agreeing to pay $14.95 a month to see the Shamrock vs. Gracie fight, Showtime was showing to be a bit of an MMA bust. Shelling out $15 a month, while only seeing MMA once every three, was becoming a bit of a financial “situation.” Then entered the X factor known as the sideshow fight.
It happened to be Kimbo, but it could have been anyone; Butterbean, Johnny Morton or Sean Gannon. Sideshow MMA is as much of an MMA tradition as “Big” John McCarthy.
Yet, as much as MMA snobs (like myself) intend on turning their heads for the better of the sport, we can’t help but watch. Let me throw myself under the bus.
Take the recent Showtime debacle; the purpose of purchasing the pay channel was completely based off of my love of MMA. Movies, schmovies, I was in it for the battles in the cage.
Literally a month away from canceling my underused subscription, Sherdog announced the Kimbo signing by Elite XC. How could I cancel?
For good or bad, Kimbo sells PPVs. If the “fight” with Bo Cantrell, was based strictly off MMA records and even talent, it would have been buried so far in the undercard even Steven Quadros would hit fast-forward. Yet, there was Kimbo, with no MMA record, starring on an Elite XC card (and I’m buying).
Let’s look at this for a second. Kimbo has great skills, no doubt. But how good is someone who lost to Sean Gannon?
Remember UFC 55? In an attempt to capitalize on the fifteen minutes of fame Sean Gannon got by beating Kimbo Slice and the drama that followed (Gannon was fired from the police force) by matching him up against a beatable Brandon Lee Hinkle. Bad move.
Four minutes and fourteen seconds later, Gannon was a bloody mess who needed assistance walking out of the ring.
Remember, the general MMA public doesn’t know Brandon Lee Hinkle for a reason.
Even if Kimbo’s newfound training has taken him to a level on par with the greats of the game, how do we know that? Who has he beaten? No one.
The truth is, Kimbo, just like Sean Gannon and others, is headlining cards for one reason; entertainment.
This isn’t a knock at Kimbo. Kevin Ferguson is a talented and dangerous man who has attempted to leave the world off street fighting to make a legitimate living. Unlike Gannon, Ferguson seeked out the right people to make this transition the right way.
But let’s be real. Kimbo was scheduled to face Cantrell, not Antonio Silva. Even if Slice had been scheduled to fight someone of a higher caliber, it would have been for excitement, not ability.
With a premium of talented stars, it’s not hard to understand why organizations have tried to capitalize of the proverbial 15 minutes of fame. With MMA snobs like myself unable to look the other way, it’s doubtful the trend will taper any time soon.
CONQUEROR’S NOTE: Fedor’s opponent is still to be named? What the hell? Who’s M-1 plan on pitting him against? Bill Goldberg? Rumors have been circulated that a future fight could involve Pedro Rizzo. Is this 2001? I realize M-1 is just getting off the ground, but is an Emelianenko lumberjack match in the future? It’ll be good to see “the man” back in action, but here’s to hoping M-1 signs Josh Barnett.
