Abbott, Ferguson Follow Streets to EliteXC Cage
Follow Streets to EliteXC Cage
Feb 15, 2008
Some of you think MMA is all about finding out who the best fighter
in the world really is, and you're really wrong.
MMA is all about David Abbott and Kevin Ferguson (Pictures). Don't believe me? Just ask Gary Shaw, he'll tell you.
While the sight of Tank and Kimbo going at it won't resolve much of
anything, we'll all watch it because it's MMA on television. Be
honest, you know you've occasionally wondered what would happen if
MMA briefly regressed to 1995.
For all you elitists out there, EliteXC also has bouts featuring fighters who aren't YouTube celebrities. Satisfied?
David "Tank" Abbott vs. Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson
In a world where Emelianenko-Couture seems about as likely as Ron Paul winning the presidency, the average MMA fan can at least take solace in seeing the sport's street-fight representatives set aside their egos in the name of the almighty dollar.
After all, I know I've spent many a night pondering what would happen if the Gods saw fit to bestow us puny mortals with a mighty clash between David Abbott and Kevin Ferguson (Pictures).
While no one would argue that these two are among the last human beings you would want to encounter in a bar, it is Kimbo Slice who has the mystique of being the latest YouTube-driven semi-celebrity. With a collection of viral videos to his credit that show Slice manually detaching retinas with all the skill of a drunken surgeon, there was no doubt that the whispers of a MMA debut would drive enough fans into a frenzy sufficient to force his hand.
That long-awaited debut came under the EliteXC banner against Bo Cantrell (Pictures), who entered the cage looking like someone just told him there is no Easter bunny. As if Cantrell's day wasn't bad enough as is, Slice made it worse by scoring an effortless win just 19 seconds into the supposed "contest."
Lucky for us, Abbott (9-13) has already made peace with the lie that is the Easter bunny and stands ready to snatch away Slice's beloved bread. By bread, I mean consciousness, as Tank has made his name by sending opponents to the nearest trauma center in short order.
That reputation is on the verge of falling apart thanks to Abbott losing seven of his last eight bouts. It's no secret that he has never taken his training seriously, and the days of getting by on booze and overhand bombs are long gone.
Granted, Ferguson doesn't exactly have the perfect MMA pedigree. But he is Bas Rutten (Pictures)'s pet project, and by all accounts is well on his way to becoming a true mixed martial artist instead of the parody that Tank has allowed himself to become.
That downward trend will continue for Abbott as the heavyweight Floridian closes the gap early and forces a TKO stoppage with knees in the clinch. Hopefully the post-fight ceremony includes someone handing Slice a package of Wonder Bread.
Antonio Silva vs. Ricco Rodriguez (Pictures)
"Celebrity Rehab" meets cryptozoology when reality TV graduate Ricco "Suave" Rodriguez meets the certifiably ginormous Antonio "Big Foot" Silva.
With a wide-open EliteXC heavyweight division there for the taking, this fight could either establish Silva's dominance or mark a much-needed renaissance for Rodriguez.
Rapidly becoming known more for his difficult personal life than anything else, it's easy to forget that Rodriguez (27-7) was once the most promising American heavyweight prospect in ages. After defeating MMA legend Randy Couture (Pictures) for the UFC heavyweight title, he became the odds-on favorite to become the next standard bearer for the division.
Three straight losses and a well-publicized battle with both the bottle and the bulge changed all that in short order. Regarded as little more than a cautionary tale, Rodriguez finds himself at a crossroads in a career that was once brimming with promise.
The promise of great success is still a very real possibility for Silva (9-1), who is one of the most intriguing prospects the heavyweight division has seen in some time.
With a combination of size, speed and skill rarely seen from former super heavyweights, Silva's move to American Top Team bodes well for his future prospects, as does competing against physically smaller opponents instead of 300-pound half-man/half-komodo dragon monstrosities.
Having already posted a pair of wins in EliteXC over Jonathan Wiezorek (Pictures) and Wesley Corriera, Silva is inching closer and closer to becoming the kind of heavyweight attraction that any fledgling organization needs to compete against the UFC. Under normal circumstances, he would be in danger of taking a step back against someone as talented as Rodriguez, but it's been years since "Suave" has resembled a serious fighter.
To make matters worse, Silva is the kind of physically dominant opponent that's been known to rattle Rodriguez's psyche. Unless Rodriguez can secure the services of H.G. Wells' Dr. Nebogipfel, expect Silva to score an uneventful ground-and-pound TKO late in the first round.
Dr. Drew won't be happy about this at all.
MMA is all about David Abbott and Kevin Ferguson (Pictures). Don't believe me? Just ask Gary Shaw, he'll tell you.
Advertisement
For all you elitists out there, EliteXC also has bouts featuring fighters who aren't YouTube celebrities. Satisfied?
So, tune in to Showtime come Saturday night (10 p.m. ET/PT) and in
the meantime, read this preview. If you don't like it, read it
again. If you still don't like it, just pretend you did.
David "Tank" Abbott vs. Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson
In a world where Emelianenko-Couture seems about as likely as Ron Paul winning the presidency, the average MMA fan can at least take solace in seeing the sport's street-fight representatives set aside their egos in the name of the almighty dollar.
After all, I know I've spent many a night pondering what would happen if the Gods saw fit to bestow us puny mortals with a mighty clash between David Abbott and Kevin Ferguson (Pictures).
While no one would argue that these two are among the last human beings you would want to encounter in a bar, it is Kimbo Slice who has the mystique of being the latest YouTube-driven semi-celebrity. With a collection of viral videos to his credit that show Slice manually detaching retinas with all the skill of a drunken surgeon, there was no doubt that the whispers of a MMA debut would drive enough fans into a frenzy sufficient to force his hand.
That long-awaited debut came under the EliteXC banner against Bo Cantrell (Pictures), who entered the cage looking like someone just told him there is no Easter bunny. As if Cantrell's day wasn't bad enough as is, Slice made it worse by scoring an effortless win just 19 seconds into the supposed "contest."
Lucky for us, Abbott (9-13) has already made peace with the lie that is the Easter bunny and stands ready to snatch away Slice's beloved bread. By bread, I mean consciousness, as Tank has made his name by sending opponents to the nearest trauma center in short order.
That reputation is on the verge of falling apart thanks to Abbott losing seven of his last eight bouts. It's no secret that he has never taken his training seriously, and the days of getting by on booze and overhand bombs are long gone.
Granted, Ferguson doesn't exactly have the perfect MMA pedigree. But he is Bas Rutten (Pictures)'s pet project, and by all accounts is well on his way to becoming a true mixed martial artist instead of the parody that Tank has allowed himself to become.
That downward trend will continue for Abbott as the heavyweight Floridian closes the gap early and forces a TKO stoppage with knees in the clinch. Hopefully the post-fight ceremony includes someone handing Slice a package of Wonder Bread.
Antonio Silva vs. Ricco Rodriguez (Pictures)
"Celebrity Rehab" meets cryptozoology when reality TV graduate Ricco "Suave" Rodriguez meets the certifiably ginormous Antonio "Big Foot" Silva.
With a wide-open EliteXC heavyweight division there for the taking, this fight could either establish Silva's dominance or mark a much-needed renaissance for Rodriguez.
Rapidly becoming known more for his difficult personal life than anything else, it's easy to forget that Rodriguez (27-7) was once the most promising American heavyweight prospect in ages. After defeating MMA legend Randy Couture (Pictures) for the UFC heavyweight title, he became the odds-on favorite to become the next standard bearer for the division.
Three straight losses and a well-publicized battle with both the bottle and the bulge changed all that in short order. Regarded as little more than a cautionary tale, Rodriguez finds himself at a crossroads in a career that was once brimming with promise.
The promise of great success is still a very real possibility for Silva (9-1), who is one of the most intriguing prospects the heavyweight division has seen in some time.
With a combination of size, speed and skill rarely seen from former super heavyweights, Silva's move to American Top Team bodes well for his future prospects, as does competing against physically smaller opponents instead of 300-pound half-man/half-komodo dragon monstrosities.
Having already posted a pair of wins in EliteXC over Jonathan Wiezorek (Pictures) and Wesley Corriera, Silva is inching closer and closer to becoming the kind of heavyweight attraction that any fledgling organization needs to compete against the UFC. Under normal circumstances, he would be in danger of taking a step back against someone as talented as Rodriguez, but it's been years since "Suave" has resembled a serious fighter.
To make matters worse, Silva is the kind of physically dominant opponent that's been known to rattle Rodriguez's psyche. Unless Rodriguez can secure the services of H.G. Wells' Dr. Nebogipfel, expect Silva to score an uneventful ground-and-pound TKO late in the first round.
Dr. Drew won't be happy about this at all.
Related Articles
