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Is Kimbo 'TUF' Enough?
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 It appears we’ll soon find out.
According to an exclusive report from Yahoo Sports!, the former EliteXC heavyweight contender is slated to be one of 16 contestants on the upcoming season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the UFC’s highly successful reality TV series.
Slice is an awkward addition to the cast of Season 10, considering the former web-fighting sensation has been a source of mockery for UFC president Dana White.
The outspoken White, who publicly called Slice a “joke,” a “bum” and many other unprintable aspersions, has repeatedly insisted that Kimbo would never fight contractually with the UFC unless he won his way into the organization via “The Ultimate Fighter.”
That time has come, and though it seems more like a bad joke than credible casting, it could give mixed martial arts a larger dip into the mainstream.
The season, which begins filming Wednesday and will air in September, features only heavyweights, marking the first time the UFC has focused the series on a single weight class. White's decision to cast Slice on “TUF” can be partially attributed to his theory that any fighter should be given a chance. But let's not kid ourselves; the UFC is mostly trying to stack and promote its heavyweight division.
And why shouldn’t they? Just like Brock Lesnar was a great heel in WWE before he transitioned to the UFC, Slice is hated in the MMA world for his street-fighting roots and one-dimensional talent. The two aren’t comparable fighters, but the marketing parallels are undeniable.
What’s even more appealing is that Slice will join the show with UFC former light heavyweight champs Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson as opposing coaches.
The casting comes as a blessing for the embattled Slice who is 3-1 as a professional and hasn’t fought since his knockout-loss to Seth Petruzelli last October.
He's been billed as a legitimate MMA fighter.
Now he has a shot to prove it.
Will you watch or boycott “TUF” 10 with Kimbo Slice? Should he succeed, is he good for the UFC? Can he be a contender or is he a marketing ploy at best? Weigh-in here.
Message Edited by ComcastSports on 06-02-2009 03:49 PM
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