And the Kimbo Slice Hype-Machine Gets Smashed
October 4, 2008 at 9:31 pm by Jason Hatcher in News, VideoSeth Petruzelli just showed the world (or that part of the world that believed the EliteXC hype) that Kimbo Slice is not the new face of mixed-martial-arts. I am left with one big question. One has to wonder whether ESPN Magazine now regrets putting Slice on its cover? Certainly it was undeserving and premature. But it was equally a testament as to the growingly unpopular yet successful promotional tactics of Gary Shaw.
One thing is for certain. Kimbo Slice was not the only one who lost tonight. In many ways so did EliteXC. Kimbo was the face of the organization. His early and devastating defeat by way of fists certainly stops the hype in its tracks. If not, then I think we can finally begin to store any future hype on the same shelf with Chupacabra and Bigfoot.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
In fairness, Kimbo did show humbleness in defeat. Especially during the post-fight conference. And as I have written before, the hype-machine behind Kimbo was not his own creation. An over-zealous promotion team in that of Gary and Jared Shaw simply pushed a non-proven brawler into the ranks of top-level MMA without the groundwork to properly get there.
The CBS event was actually a well-paced and entertaining night of fights. And free to boot. The main event featuring Kimbo was anti-climatic on many levels with the Andrei Arlovski and Roy Nelson fight deserving top billing for a wide number of reasons. Who knows what the future holds for EliteXC and Kimbo Slice. Hyping Kimbo back to where he was prior to October 4th will not be easy. But now Kimbo has the opportunity to fight real competition and work his way to the top if possible.
On another note, Jared Shaw of EliteXC seems a bit out of touch even in the aftermath of the fight. MMARated.com provides an interesting post fight interview:
October 6th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I agree with you that Kimbo was humble in defeat and it’s true that he wasn’t driving the hype train. However, how could he possibly think he was remotely prepared to enter the MMA world? I think greed and potential stardom was appealing and now he’ll have to pay for not thinking this whole thing through. As for EliteXC, I’m happy to see them fail…other than creating a place for the girls to get some exposure – I’m hoping they crumble and disappear.
October 6th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Shaw was out of line and totally unprofessional. However, it’s hard to keep it together when you are watching the only thing keeping your business afloat drop to the mat like a ragdoll. Cha-ching and flushhhhhhh goes EliteXC.
October 6th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Maybe Kimbo will retire now? They can put him in the EliteXC Hall of Fame.
October 6th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I’d rather pay $50 to UFC every weekend than be tortured by this freakshow again.
Gina did look hot though.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:47 am
Nothing in nhl jerseys life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. The soil in return for her service, keeps the tree tied to her, the boston bruins sky asks nothing and leaves it nhl jersey sales online free. High buy edge jerseys expectations are the key to every chicago blackhawks thing. If you wait, all that happens is that you get older. http://www.nhlbuy.com/