"What has the guy done to deserve to be in the UFC? Nothing. I don't consider him a real athlete or anything. He won't win The Ultimate Fighter." — Dana White, October 26, 2008
"And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span..." — 1 Samuel 17
Kimbo Slice is a golem.
Most fighters are forged, but Kevin Ferguson is different. He was created from parts, a stiff punch and a thick beard, an attitude and an era. Unhoned, lumped together, closer to clay than steel. Even his name isn't real; who calls him "Kevin" these days? He's Slice, a trophy for the particularly vicious cuts he caused on video (note: NSFW; language and graphic violence).
Everything is video these days. Used to be, you had to line up that perfect photograph and pray you'd get one in your career. A pinnacle shot like the leering Ali, bicep curled, Liston down. Now it's all on tape. Pick your screencap from a million cameras. Would you like that in high-def?
We don't have video on Goliath. Maybe David had great aim, or maybe we had Goliath a cubit too tall, a length too wide on the Tale of the Tape. Maybe this was all the first run of the Great Hype Machine, building our fighters up until it's necessary to destroy them. Until it's time for a newer, fresher King. Don't know. Don't have video.
Who was Kimbo destroyed for, in his second act? Do you see a crown on Seth Petruzelli's head? The last time I saw Seth he was on a leash, being used as a prop. Where's his throne? If not Petruzelli, it might have been Ken Shamrock. Shamrock didn't need that win, but he may well have gotten it anyway. EliteXC had one huge name and they dangled him too far and he fell apart, and then they paid for it with their company.
Kimbo Slice had to fall. We demand it of every name we build. But why so soon?
Kimbo Slice is a pariah.
Watch the name "Kimbo Slice" float past the ear of a hardcore MMA fan. Watch their eyes roll, their distaste, that look of "I'm-so-PAST-that".
Article comments
1 - JJ
very well written piece. i completely agree wit u
2 - Caroline Hagood
You know, not only am I not a self-identified sports nut as you are, but I have little or no interaction with the fight world, but I will say that your article was so well written, so intriguing, that I read the whole thing with much enjoyment. Now that's the mark of a good writer.
3 - MDT
Thank you both!
4 - Dex
That was a really good article, very well written.
5 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Great Article...
The sad thing is that Kimbo is going about it the right way. Unfortunately, Hard work & Talent doesn't guarantee the type of success that these "one hit wonders" are looking for. Kimbo has to shed that mystique because,imho, there is nothing behind it. Unlike Fedor who not only has 32 wins & is undefeated but is a 12 time Gold Medal Sambo Champion in Russia. The only mystique Fedor ever had was toughness,endurance & an intelligent mind that keeps him from getting caught up in Mr. White's Circus. It's pretty sad that people think that training like your going to war is so mysterious.
BUT, part of me hopes that Kimbo wins TUF. He seems to understand that he needs to become well rounded though it might be too late.