Kimbo Down But Not Out of TUF After Loss

NFL News - October 1st, 2009 - Written by John

Spike TV's mixed martial arts reality show, The Ultimate Fighter, has repackaged Kimbo Slice as a raw up-and-coming student that is humble and ready to be competitive in the sport. A dramatic change from last season's appearance in EliteXC, where he was painted as an immovable object, who's fights lasted as long as he let them. A miserable national television debut, being knocked cold in 14 seconds, took care of those assumptions.

And now, with his vulnerability already proven, Slice lasted only a round-and-a-half Wednesday night against Roy Nelson, a much more experienced fighter who at one time was the International Fight League heavyweight champion. It was a far better result than his live train-wreck on CBS a year ago, but still proved that he has a long ways to go.

Nelson controlled every minute of the match of the match, avoiding Slice's crushing blows and forcing him into grappling maneuvers. Nelson clearly had the edge and, despite being hit with a right early in the Second Round, rolled him into a crucifix position twice and was never at the bottom of the pile. Slice was able to fend him off until the bell in Round One, but the fight was called in the second when Nelson landed soft, repeating blows that couldn't be answered.

And the UFC seems to be on-board. Founder and CEO, of sorts, Dana White announced that Kimbo would remain on the show and continue to learn the ropes a sport that requires less punching power and more whit.

It's clear White can see the bigger picture. Despite two unremarkable fights, Slice still has his followers with memories of his one-punch knockouts on YouTube that instantly made him a legend. Both of his fights were ratings gold mines and it would be senseless for the UFC to turn it's head to guaranteed money. There are reports that Marcus Jones, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer who is fighting on the show, falls ill on the next episode and Slice is the favorite to replace him.

He will continue to train with American Top Team in the Miami area he is from and will probably be on the card for TUF 10 in December. He could even be in UFC 107.

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