Earlier today we reported that EliteXC will hold an event on November 10 in Texas that will feature a 160lb title fight with Nick Diaz. Looks like that same card will also feature the EliteXC debut of Kevin Ferguson (a.k.a Kimbo Slice).
Kimbo made his MMA debut in the Cage Fury Fighting Championships at CFFC 5 last June where he defeated Ray Mercer by guillotine choke in the first round. Slice was scheduled to fight David “Tank” Abbott at CFFC 6 tomorrow night in Atlantic City, NJ, but the show was canceled late last week.
After the CFFC show cancellation many fans speculated where Kimbo might end up and who he would fight next. Today ProElite announced that Kimbo had been signed by EliteXC and Sam Caplan was able to interview EliteXC President Gary Shaw about the signing:
Sam Caplan: I just wanted to confirm the report on ProElite.com that Kimbo Slice has been signed by EliteXC?
Gary Shaw: Yes, we have a long-term deal with Kimbo Slice. I’m very excited about the signing.
Sam Caplan: Can you discuss the length of the contract?
Gary Shaw: The one thing I never do is talk about money or the length of contracts other than to say it is a multi-year, multi-fight deal with Kimbo. He’s going to be a part of the EliteXC and ProElite family and we love to have him. I am really excited about putting him on Showtime and letting the world see him.
Sam Caplan: Is this an exclusive contract?
Gary Shaw: It’s an exclusive contract, yes.
Sam Caplan: You mentioned showing Kimbo to the world on Showtime. How soon will fans get to see him fight under the EliteXC banner?
Gary Shaw: November 10 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Sam Caplan: Has an opponent been named?
Gary Shaw: Not that we have decided on yet. We’ll make that decision this coming week.
Sam Caplan: Is there a chance that Tank Abbott, who was scheduled to have faced Kimbo Slice this weekend for Cage Fury Fighting Championships this week before the event was canceled, could be the opponent?
Gary Shaw: (There’s) always a chance that anyone fight with EliteXC and on Showtime, yes.
Will we still see Kimbo vs Tank or will Kimbo face someone else? Either way, we know he has found a new home with EliteXC and now we can see what kind of MMA career he can put together.
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a couple months ago i read that paul buentello wanted to fight kimbo and since hes already faught for these guys and is under contract with them then i think that will be kimbos opponent
[...] Original post by MMA HQ - Mixed Martial Arts News and Analysis [...]
MAN PAUL BUENTELLO WOULD WHOOP HIS ***.. PESHHH
for sure patrick,im a huge buentello fan
They better give him some C- fighters for a while. Any true MMA fighter with a little talent will tap him out quickly. You never know though he might have picked up a little skill lately and suprise people. I’ll be interested in watching this fight.
Well EliteXC just lost my respect.
Which is sad really cause I was starting to like EliteXC. I’ve also found myself getting into the IFL more and more, sorta grew on me. But I don’t see the IFL around much longer.
I don’t see the IFL hanging around for much longer, especially after how they are botching this whole Grand Prix.
But the EliteXC definitely looks like it is showing some good progress.
Are they going to sign Sean Gannon next?
I ragged on the UFC for letting Gannon fight Hinkle just like I’m going to rag on anyone who signs Kimbo.
I was just reading an article about the IFL grand prix and why Ben Rothwell and Mike Whitehead are out. Seems like they employ the same brash tactics that the UFC does when it comes to contracts. They were supposed to be the organization that cared for their fighters but it seems they are just like all the other promotion in this regard and just care about their well being. If they don’t retain Ben it will hurt them because he’s probably their biggest star. The whole grand prix doesn’t really make sense any way because even if they win and have the belt they will go back to the team format so it doesn’t matter. So if say Chris H wins the lightweight belt which I believe he will then he goes into team competition and loses he still retains the belt. Doesn’t make sense to me.
I think there is more to the story with the IFL and Monte Cox’s guys. I’ve read both Monte’s side of the story and Kurt Otto’s side.
I’m sure the real truth is probably somewhere in the middle and we will never know the real deal.
That’s true there are alway two sides to a story and the truth usually lies in between. Hope the IFL gets it together I was just starting to really like them and their approach. The UFC needs more competition so the fighters have options.