Kimbofight.net

Kimbo Slice training with Bas Rutten for match vs Tank Abbott on October 12, 2007 at CFFC 6.
Kimbo’s training started in July and was run by ex powerlifting champ Milan “The Rib-cracker” in Miami, Florida. Then he moved to the West Coast where he has continued the training with Shawn Tompkins and Bas Rutten. He was working with Bas Rutten and Shawn Tompkins a lot on his grappling technic, foot work and boxing technic.
Completely new for Kimbo was a high altitude training (first time in his life) which increases cardiovascular endurance on Sierra Nevada mountains.

The video with Byrd spread to countless internet MMA forums, eventually making its way to the MMA.tv website, where Boston police officer and amateur MMA fighter Sean Gannon noticed it. As the legend goes, Gannon saw the video, thought little of Kimbo’s skills, and challenged him, beginning the notorious Kimbo vs Gannon fight. The fight took place in an undisclosed, makeshift sparring location.

At the one minute mark of the Kimbo vs Gannon Fight, Gannon puts Kimbo in a guillotine, showing off his mma skills, but Kimbo’s crew rushed in saying it’s against the rules. Sean releases Kimbo and Kimbo punches Gannon while he’s on the ground which is against the rules. Later Gannon puts Kimbo in another guillotine and this time the fight isn’t stopped. They exchange punches with both fighters appearing tired. At the 6:20 mark, Gannon knees Kimbo and once again people jump in letting Kimbo catch his breath. The Kimbo vs Gannon fight is over at this point with Kimbo getting knocked down a couple of times and finally being counted out.

Both fighters were fatigued to the point of collapsing, and Gannon’s face was brutally mangled. Reportedly, the spread of the Kimbo vs Gannon fight video prompted the UFC to invite Sean Gannon to UFC 43, and leading up to Gannon’s match, commentator Joe Rogan mentioned several times Kimbo Slice, the video of the Kimbo vs Gannon fight, and its internet attention. Gannon went on to get whipped in his UFC match and is now 1-1 in MMA.

As seen during the Kimbo vs Gannon video, there was much controversy over the fight’s rules, particularly when Sean Gannon attempted a guillotine choke. It’s known that Kimbo only accepts stand-up, bareknuckle boxing bouts.
It was rumored before now that a fight with Kimbo required a $10,000 bet from both sides. On the MMA.tv boards, Gannon hinted at this, saying, “Anyone who enjoyed the fight should kick him a little something. He earned it.” A post from Kimbo’s management, Southbeat Records, also mentioned a wager of ten thousand dollars, and added that a challenger need not have any fighting experience, only money to bet. The Kimbo vs Gannon fight is the most widely known Kimbo fight.

With EliteXC’s next show not planned until January 25’s ShoXC event in Atlantic City, news pertaining to the promotion has been very limited. However, EliteXC live events president Gary Shaw drew a few headlines after he issued a challenge to Tito Ortiz for a match against Kimbo Slice following Ortiz’s comments during an E:60 story on ESPN last week in which Ortiz was less than complementary towards Slice.

I recently had the opportunity to ask Shaw about his thoughts on a Slice vs. Ortiz matchup, Gina Carano’s involvement on American Gladiators, whether EliteXC is in talks to promote a match between Ken Shamrock vs. Frank Shamrock, and much more.

Sam Caplan: Tito Ortiz made some interesting comments regarding Kimbo Slice during last week’s ESPN feature. Since then you’ve been quoted about expressing an interest in making a match between Tito and Kimbo. Is that correct?

Gary Shaw: Yes, absolutely. Any time someone talks either on TV or to a reporter and either demeans a fighter or says “let’s bring it on,” I’m willing to do the fight. And Kimbo Slice would get into the cage with Tito Ortiz any day.

Sam Caplan: How do you think that fight would play out?

Gary Shaw: I think Kimbo Slice would probably knock him out. I think Tito would try to submit him, try to bring him down. I believe he’d get knocked out; he’s got a suspect chin. But I’m confident with Bas behind Kimbo that he’s fine on the ground.

Sam Caplan: There’s been a lot of talk that Kimbo’s next fight for EliteXC will be in February. Is that true? And if so, has an opponent been signed for that bout?

Gary Shaw: Yes. February 16. And we’re working right now (on an opponent).

Sam Caplan: There was a report in the print edition of The Wrestling Observer last week and another report on 411Mania.com that EliteXC is considering a super heavyweight/heavyweight four-man eliminator that would feature Kimbo, Tank Abbott, Bob Sapp, and Butterbean. Is there any truth to those rumors?

Gary Shaw: No, but I like the rumor. I’ll start thinking about it. It’s just a rumor. It’s nothing that we’ve discussed in the office or anywhere else.