Internet street-fighting sensation
Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson (Pictures) will return to the cage as part of a primetime EliteXC show on Oct. 4 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla. Ferguson’s inclusion on the card, scheduled to air live on CBS, was announced on Saturday.
No opponent was named for the Bahamian-born heavyweight, who grew up 30 miles away in Miami, Fla.
“Fighting back at home, again, for the second time, is going to be great,” Ferguson said. “Way more fans this time, way more friends. We’re going to do it again, and hopefully, I’ll pull off another victory … win by another KO and have a bigger party this time. I’m not sure who I’m fighting yet, but I’m looking forward to a hard fight.”
Having parlayed his notoriety as a backyard brawler on YouTube into a lucrative professional mixed martial arts career, Ferguson (3-0) last competed in May when he stopped Pride Fighting Championships veteran
James Thompson (Pictures) on third-round strikes at EliteXC: Primetime. The menacing 34-year-old was the centerpiece of the show, EliteXC’s first on CBS, and while he kept his undefeated record intact, many felt glaring holes were exposed in his game. Much of his luster was lost as a result.
Noticeably fatigued, Ferguson ruptured Thompson’s swollen right ear with a crisp right hook in the third round. He followed with a jarring combination that left his British foe wobbly and sent him back pedaling into the cage, where referee Dan Miragliotta intervened. His controversial stoppage was the subject of conversation for weeks.
Ferguson, a protégé of MMA legend
Bas Rutten (Pictures), made his debut with EliteXC in November and quickly emerged as the promotion’s top draw following back-to-back wins over journeymen
Bo Cantrell (Pictures) and David “Tank” Abbott.
In addition to Ferguson, women’s MMA sensation
Gina Carano (Pictures) will also compete at the early autumn event in South Florida.
Though no opponent has been selected for the undefeated muay Thai stylist, Bodog Fight veteran
Kelly Kobald (Pictures) and Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos have surfaced as leading candidates.
Carano (6-0) has not competed since she delivered a TKO victory against fast-rising prospect
Kaitlin Young (Pictures) as part of EliteXC’s historic CBS premiere two months ago.
Based out of the same Minnesota Martial Arts Academy at which Young trains, Kobald (16-2-1) kicked off her professional career with a 17-match unbeaten streak but has since dropped consecutive bouts to
Tara Larosa (Pictures) and
Julie Kedzie (Pictures). Santos (5-0), meanwhile, stopped
Shayna Baszler (Pictures) by second-round TKO at EliteXC: Unfinished Business on Saturday. The 23-year-old product of the Chute Boxe Academy has finished her last four opponents.
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