C) “It’s like if you have a Ferrari and a police officer gives you a speeding ticket before you turn the key.”
D) “I’m definitely one of the players in the weight class. It might depend on the outcome of this fight and a couple of other fights in the UFC. The 155-pound class is definitely one of the most stacked in the UFC.”
E) “I heard Kimbo Slice is calling me out. Hold on, Dawg, you aren’t even in my weight class! You don’t even fight in my organization!”
MMA Junkie is reporting that ProElite - the parent company of EliteXC - is set to announce a partnership with CBS to air their events. An agreement has apparently been approved between both parties.
The EliteXC airs on Showtime under EliteXC and ShowXC. As we already stated, EliteXC and Kimbo has had at least something to do with Showtime’s recent spike in subscribers. Showtime is cheaper than dishing out for UFC pay-per-view events every month and you get to see tasteful adults films late at night as a bonus. This rumor is easy to buy into because CBS owns Showtime and has certainly recognized the channel’s cross-over potential to network television - “Dexter” airing on CBS being a recent example. EliteXC: “Street Certified” pulled in a sold-out crowd and pulled in over 500,000 viewers to Showtime. Sure, Kimbo was a major part of that, but other EliteXC shows will reap residuals from him being in their fold. Network execs know that larger-than-life sports personalities draw ratings, so naturally they’d want to be in the Kimbo business.
And with Dana White ruining every chance of getting the UFC on network television - CBS was once the frontrunner to air UFC events - networks have started seeking other organizations to sign up. CBS and EliteXC is by far the marriage with the least hoops to jump through, so we could get this announcement very soon. The events would be broadcast live in prime-time and probably every month.
This could be a very large step and do for MMA what network TV has done for Arena Football…okay, bad example, but you get what I’m saying about the exposure. And I know I probably don’t even have to mention it, but “What Would Kimbo Do?” would be natural fit for CBS’s Saturday morning kid’s programming. Story line ideas now being accepted.
When there’s an MMA event, medical suspensions are sure to follow. The Florida State Boxing Commission has dropped their list of suspended fighters from the EliteXC: Street Certified joint that happened in Miami last Saturday. (Props MMA on Tap)
Tank Abbott got a 60 day medical suspension because he got KTFO by Kimbo. Joining Tank on the 60-day list were James Thompson, Kyle Noke, John Doyle, and Edson Berto. Mario Rinaldi wasn’t KO’d but got the shit kicked out of him by Dave Herman, so he also earned 60 days on hold. On that note, Dave Herman and Jirka Hivati - who made $500 for the night - were told they must be cleared by a doctor before being allowed back in the cage. Herman due to a knee injury and Hivati because of a laceration on his face.
Let’s talk more suspensions, shall we? The California State Athletic Commission has fined and suspended two fighters for dancing with mary jane. The fighters - Mike Moreno and Jermaine Wilson - both fought last Saturday at the Total Combat 26 show that went down in San Diego. Mike Moreno will be out of action until May 16th and was fined $500 (maybe he can get Jirka Hivati to cover his fine). Jermaine Wilson is out until August 14th and was fined $1,000. Wilson’s penalty was a bit stiffer because it was his second marijuana offense in three months - his pro record is two fights, two lossess, and two suspensions due to drug use. That’s rollin’ Kendall Grove style.
Only four out of the fourteen fighters at the event were tested and half tested positive for drugs. And both fighters lost via submissions, so what does that tell you, Kids? If you’re going to toke it up, improve your takedown defense.
On a side note, Total Combat’s ring girls are called the Combat Dolls. They deserve close inspection…trust me.
“That fight was put together by a local promoter. “Gabin is paid a salary by the promoter who sponsored that bout.”
Outside promoter or not, Gabin got railed with no lube. Maybe he’s into that sort of thing…or maybe he was dying for something from the Wendy’s dollar menu. Either way, he notched a win, so it’s all good…kind of.
(He can now afford to buy ten more of these hats.)
Hey, remember that EliteXC event last Saturday known as “Street Certified”? Well, dudes got paid for that - especially the main eventers. Kimbo earned $4,069 and change for every second of his fight, while Tank Abbott took home almost $3,000 for every second he was making like Kimbo’s punching bag. Not sure how he wrangled that sort of payday for going 1-8 since 1998, but guys like Jimmy Ambriz should be calling Tank’s manager. Also, being a getting KTFO specialist paid off for James Thompson — he grabbed $25,000 for going to sleep, while Brett Rogers earned just $4,000 for making that happen.
Antonio Silva did okay for himself, but had to go the distance to earn his $80k. However, if you’re not in the top 2-3 fights for an EliteXC show, it gets kinda shitty. Just ask Jirka Hlavaty. He got a sweet $500 for his losing effort. Don’t think that even covered his hotel room. (UPDATE: And Moyses Gabin earned just $1, not $1,000 as we reported earlier. We don’t know if that’s because Gary Shaw found out Gabin was banging Shaw’s wife or his daughter, but we’ll update you when we know for sure.)
The payday rundown:
Kimbo Slice - $175,000 ($125,000 to show, $50,000 to win)
Tank Abbott - $126,000
Damn. I was pulling for a rare Tank Abbott victory in this one. Seriously, the dude has only won 1 fight in the last decade, right? Oh well, I was still giving him a punchers chance, and at least he came out swinging. He looked frustrated after his first few punches didn’t do what he wanted them to do, then he started getting connected on. Tank went to the mat after a Kimbo Slice punch, but Tank kept hold of Kimbos ankle, so Kimbo started raining down punches to the back of Tanks head. The referee stopped the fight to warn Kimbo of the illegal punches. The fighters started back on their feet, but Tank took more punishment, and fell flat on his face. KIMBO SLICE, Knockout, Round 1.
The Ricco Rodriguez/Antonio Silva fight was good, although it went all 3 rounds to a split decision. I had Ricco winning rounds 1 and 3, and Silva winning round 2. However, the judges decided differently and the victory went to Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva.
w00t! Tank Abbott and Kimbo Slice are due to fight in about an hour or so, this should be entertaining whether it’s a good fight or not. I would like to see Tank Abbott KO Kimbo, but I really don’t see it happening. I figure Kimbo will score a takedown and submit or TKO Tank, or, Tank will gas out.
I’m also hoping to see Ricco “Rehab” Rodriguez win his match against Antonio Silva.
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