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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
In an attempt to perhaps pull in lapsed former casual MMA fans, Bellator MMA is going to put on a fight that was supposed to happen on CBS in 2008.
The organization announced on Thursday that Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock will headline a Bellator event on Spike TV on June 20 from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo.
"I remember how excited I was when this fight was originally announced, and how disappointed I was when it didn't come to fruition at that time," said Bellator President Scott Coker in a press release on the bout. "I'm very happy we were able to put this one together because I know these guys still have a lot of unfinished business to take care of, and when they do, it will be something special."
The release hypes how Slice and Shamrock were separately part of two fights drawing some of the best numbers in MMA history back in 2008 and 2006, respectively. The two were supposed to fight in an EliteXC main event in October of 2008 on CBS, with Shamrock suffering a cut just before the event that put Seth Petruzelli in against Slice instead. Petruzelli then scored the upset win, handing Slice his first loss.
"Ken Shamrock, I owe you this ass whooping," Slice said in the release. "No more running! No more hiding!"
"I am back," added the 51-year-old Shamrock, who hasn't fought in over four years. "It's good to be performing again for my fans. I feel great, and my health is great. Age should never be a factor if an athlete is healthy, in great shape, and has the drive to continue their sport. I will quit fighting when I want to."
"Kimbo Slice and I have some unfinished business. I am a fighter - that's who I am. Fighting has always invigorated me. Never give up."
Penick's Analysis: What's most sad about this is that people are going to tune in. It's lowest common denominator booking, trying to bring in eyeballs with names that people know no matter how far from relevance they may be. Seriously, Ken Shamrock is going to not only be fighting but headlining a Bellator card in 2015. There are parts of Scott Coker's philosophy I've enjoyed with Bellator, but I still have zero interest in these types of bookings.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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