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**norway1** · 07-18-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Two names had been cropping up as Kimbo Slice's next opponent: Sean Gannon and Brett Rogers.

No deal has been signed (far from it, actually), but sources involved in the negotiating say Slice will probably fight on a CBS-televised card in early October, and his opponent likely will be neither Gannon nor Rogers.

What happened?

Gannon
Gannon was the best bet. His legendary unsanctioned brawl with Kimbo still lingers as Slice's biggest—and only—blemish on his record. With more bout experience and months of training with Bas Rutten's crew, Slice would have been a good bet to avenge his earlier loss. "Kimbo has become of a student of the entire MMA game since then," says Jared Shaw, Elite XC's vice president of fighter relations and son of company president Gary Shaw. "Gannon hasn't done that."

Additionally, the longer Elite XC can keep the Kimbo phenomenon going before a fight with a legit MMA star, the better it is for building both the company and fighter brands. A win against Gannon, with the fight possibly sharing a card with another of Slice's rivals, Rogers, would have made their eventual clash an even bigger draw.

But Gannon, a Boston cop, would jeopardize his 9-to-5 career by taking a frowned-upon fight. He rightly has been asking for a huge chunk of money---Shaw says negotiations hovered around $250,000 for one fight—and Elite XC has been unwilling to meet his demands. (Shaw says if Gannon would have accepted around $100,000 the deal would already be done). Both sides have taken understandable positions. But it has completely derailed negotiations. Don't expect a Gannon/Kimbo rematch any time soon.

"There are two ways to avoid a fight you don't want," Shaw says. "One, you decline the fight. Two, you price yourself out of it. I'm not sure which one is the case here, but that fight is unlikely to happen."

Rogers
Rogers seemed like a perfect fit. He's unbeaten, has consistently called out Kimbo since they both won on May 31, and Slice badly wants the fight. Elite XC would love to do it, though the timing has been a little off. The company would love to have Kimbo unbeaten before an iffy fight against a talented opponent.

So, despite lengthy discussions, a Rogers/Kimbo bout is unlikely to happen. At least in October.

Kimbo will fight somebody, though. "We are getting close (to signing a contract) but I can tell you it's 90 percent not (going to be) Brett Rogers," one knowledgeable source says. The source adds that a contract has not been signed, though it could happen as soon as a week from today. Shaw, on the other hand, puts the chances of Rogers/Slice not happening at 70 percent. Neither number paints a promising picture.

Now what?
So who will Kimbo fight? The most likely opponent is somebody not currently on the Elite XC roster. The company is reviewing free agent fighters, and has a list of about three that Shaw will present to the Slice team a week from now. Same with Rogers. Shaw admits the most likely scenario is that Slice and Rogers fight back-to-back on a strong CBS card in October (Gina Carrano and a much-anticipated KJ Noons/Nick Diaz rematch are also being discussed for that night). If both win, they're very likely to fight a few months later.

"It's a 100 percent certainty that Kimbo and Brett Rogers go at it at some point soon," Shaw says. "That fight has to happen. It's just a matter of when."

WEC's September show
The WEC still hasn't officially announced the entire undercard for its Sept. 10 show, headlined by Urijah Faber against challenger Mike Brown. But Jens Pulver says he expects to fight that night, too, against an opponent yet to be named. His long-term goal: keep winning, and force a rematch with Faber, arguably the best fighter on the planet.

After their June 1 fight, a unanimous five-round decision in which Faber retained his featherweight title, Pulver went to the hospital. CAT scans showed no damage, but Pulver sustained a chipped elbow bone. He has since recovered and thinks with a win or two, he deserves a rematch. He'd be a decided underdog, but it's a fight that fans would again turn out for. "He's a great champion," Pulver says. "His speed is better than anybody I have ever seen. But I think I can beat him."

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3493996

stitch1z · 07-18-2008, 09:42 PM

In other words, Kimbo gets another tomato can to KO for 100,000 bucks. And the announcers will scream "Kimbo is for REAL!!! He is clearly a much better fighter than we saw on May 31!"

Ugh.

I hope Carano faces the winner of Baszler-Cyborg!!

**norway1** · 07-18-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stitch1z

And the announcers will scream "Kimbo is for REAL!!! !!

they will scream " Kimbo is the real deal , making his impact on the MMA world " in a really false exited voice

ralphbenjamin · 07-20-2008, 02:44 PM

after seeing fedor and silva last night, i have lost any interest WHATSOEVER in kimbo.. hope he gets rocked next fight.. then he can see what an assbeating feels like.

fedor > all.

UFC 89: BISPING vs. LEBEN

AFFLICTION 2: DAY OF RECKONING

CAGE RAGE 28 - V I P

UFC FIGHT NIGHT 15:
DIAZ vs. NEER

WEC 36: FABER vs. BROWN

UFC 88: BREAKTHROUGH

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