Skip to main content

Slicing the Integrity of the Sport: A Review of MMA's Big Night

So Kimbo Slice is the next great fighter?

According to Elite XC he is.

The street fighting legend who became a household name because of his fights on YouTube and his rags-to-riches story was victorious in his third MMA fight for Elite XC. In the main event role, Slice was a sure lock for interest and ratings for the struggling MMA company as it not only broke through on the national stage for the first time, but represented the entire sport on it's quest for mainstream recognition.

In a fight which seemed right out of the book from Don King's manual, the entire night was built around Slice's fight, his background, and his merits. From the pre-fight interviews and introduction, to the announcers excitement for every Slice haymaker and jab, the night almost seemed disrespectful to the fighters that have learned honed the MMA honor and discipline for years. In what was MMA's breakthrough night, the entire sport laid rest on the back of a two fight, internet sensation.
On the other hand, giving Slice his due, he does put rear-end in the seats and eyes on the idiot box, which must please Elite XC officials. However, for a sport which prides itself on being "real" in more ways than one, and eliminating the politics and fluff that has ruined boxing, Slice's match did more harm for the entire sport than good.

The fight which saw Kimbo dominated on the ground, including a 30 second period of ravish forearms to his head, yet only to win because of a popped cauliflower ear reeked of fabrication and marketing. Despite a great display of women's MMA, Elite XC's sheer poor representation of the sport and production of a marketing gimmick in Slice did nothing but set the sport of MMA back a few steps.

Although, MMA kingpin and UFC President Dana White must have been happy to watch the terrible production of rival Elite XC, a part of him had to cringe as he watched the sport being maimed Saturday night before a national audience.

Recently Read

The Madness is Maddening

There is a lot that can be said about the state of college athletics, particularly basketball. NIL has surely shaken the foundation that once grounded college sports for the product that we see today. There is a lot that can be said, and lots of conversations that can be extended for hours of thoughtful dialogue (by the right people).  The current March Madness playing out - on both sides - has plenty of thoughts (and mostly feelings) bouncing around in my mind (and heart).  Just a few:  I really do love how much the Women's game has grown and improved. In various ways, the pureness of the game itself is often more enjoyable than the current men's game.  Despite the growth, the lopsided scores in the first two rounds are evident of a still top-end talent pool. Overall, there is room for growth in talent around the country. The "student-athlete" in this space is on life support. In many ways it's dead.  It's outright sad to see programs that have zero continuit...

Quick Ponder: My Island Vibes

I would love to have an island, of all the people,  who brought great vibes to my life - past and present.  My island would be amazing. 

Predictions and Wild Guesses for the 2025 MLB Season

Well, after that off-season where the Dodgers deferred enough money to build the Athletics a new ballpark, it's time for the remaining fanbases who don't have Guggenheim money to hope for the best. Even with Opening Day finally here, it's the only time of the year we can actually pretend everyone has a chance, and hope feels, well, somewhat authentic.  White Sox fans, how are we feeling?  As we do every year around these parts, I'm throwing out some predictions and wild guesses for the upcoming MLB 2025 season.  Good luck, White Sox.  --- STANDINGS (WIN) AL EAST  Yankees - 92 Red Sox - 90 Orioles - 88 Rays - 85 Blue Jays - 82 AL CENTRAL Royals - 90 Tigers - 90 Guardians - 88 Twins - 87 White Sox - 65 AL WEST Rangers - 92 Astros - 92 Athletics - 86 Mariners - 85 Angels - 77 NL EAST Phillies - 94 Mets - 92 Braves - 88 Nationals - 78 Marlins - 75 NL CENTRAL Cubs - 88 Brewers - 88 Reds - 87 Pirates - 83 Cardinals - 80 NL WEST Dodgers - 96 Diamondbacks - 90 Padres - ...