Clark Kent
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12-05-2009 11:58 PM:
For a guy who built his career by brawling in the streets in the early 2000's you wouldn't expect anything to be handed to him. Kimbo Slice wasn't going to get into mixed martial arts' elite promotion, the UFC, without having to go through what most prospects do, a stint on "The Ultimate Fighter." The streetfighting legend got a raw deal on the show by having to face a 17-fight veteran in Roy Nelson. He lost because his ground game was weak. Tonight in Las Vegas, he made his official UFC debut with a more favorable matchup in Houston Alexander. He had just enough to take a unanimous decision over Alexander 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28.
The fight itself was bizarre. Alexander has carved out a reputation as a slugger but was tentative throughout most of the fight. He was at a considerable size and power disadvantage. Kimbo (3-1, 1-0 UFC) normally fights at 230 pounds but cut down to 212 for the fight against Alexander, who is normally at 205. But Alexander's strategy to run from the get-go only served to sap his gas tank by the middle of the second round. When the fighters did trade Alexander looked sluggish and lacked pop in his strikes. He also allowed Kimbo to actually show off a decent ground and clinch game. Anytime the two fighters locked horns Alexander (9-4, 2-4 UFC) was thrown around like a rag doll.
The fight was expected to be an absolute throwdown. The joke was that it wouldn't last a minute. Instead, Kimbo chased Alexander around the ring for five minutes. The former EliteXC star didn't throw a punch until 2:15 left in the round and attempted only seven. Alexander won the round on Cagewriter's card 10-9 because he landed several inside leg kicks.
The second round turned into a ground battle. Kimbo scored a takedown with 2:50 left in the round and then landed a suplex-like takedown with 2:02. He had Alexander mounted on several occasion and got off some good shots but it was clear that he was uncomforable on the ground. His power was impressive and any thoughts that he can't compete with the big boys fighting up at 230 pounds is ridiculous.
In the third, Alexander did heavy damage with a leg kick that floored Kimbo. Beyond that he did little to grab the round.
More...
Yahoo! Sports.
Cagewriter is an MMA blog edited by Steve Cofield.
For a guy who built his career by brawling in the streets in the early 2000's you wouldn't expect anything to be handed to him. Kimbo Slice wasn't going to get into mixed martial arts' elite promotion, the UFC, without having to go through what most prospects do, a stint on "The Ultimate Fighter." The streetfighting legend got a raw deal on the show by having to face a 17-fight veteran in Roy Nelson. He lost because his ground game was weak. Tonight in Las Vegas, he made his official UFC debut with a more favorable matchup in Houston Alexander. He had just enough to take a unanimous decision over Alexander 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28.
The fight itself was bizarre. Alexander has carved out a reputation as a slugger but was tentative throughout most of the fight. He was at a considerable size and power disadvantage. Kimbo (3-1, 1-0 UFC) normally fights at 230 pounds but cut down to 212 for the fight against Alexander, who is normally at 205. But Alexander's strategy to run from the get-go only served to sap his gas tank by the middle of the second round. When the fighters did trade Alexander looked sluggish and lacked pop in his strikes. He also allowed Kimbo to actually show off a decent ground and clinch game. Anytime the two fighters locked horns Alexander (9-4, 2-4 UFC) was thrown around like a rag doll.
The fight was expected to be an absolute throwdown. The joke was that it wouldn't last a minute. Instead, Kimbo chased Alexander around the ring for five minutes. The former EliteXC star didn't throw a punch until 2:15 left in the round and attempted only seven. Alexander won the round on Cagewriter's card 10-9 because he landed several inside leg kicks.
The second round turned into a ground battle. Kimbo scored a takedown with 2:50 left in the round and then landed a suplex-like takedown with 2:02. He had Alexander mounted on several occasion and got off some good shots but it was clear that he was uncomforable on the ground. His power was impressive and any thoughts that he can't compete with the big boys fighting up at 230 pounds is ridiculous.
In the third, Alexander did heavy damage with a leg kick that floored Kimbo. Beyond that he did little to grab the round.
More...
Yahoo! Sports.
Cagewriter is an MMA blog edited by Steve Cofield.
