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By Ryan Kane, Guest Columnist With just three days remaining before EliteXC makes their network television debut, on CBS, this Saturday at 9pm, there certainly will be a lot riding on the event. The single biggest factor to the show's success, outside of the ratings, will be internet sensation Kimbo Slice and his success headlining the event against British native, James Thompson.
Elite XC has to be happy about the coverage their top star has received leading into the event. Weeks back ESPN ran a documentary on one of their shows, E-60, about Kimbo and his trials and tribulations leading to his transformation from bare-fisted, YouTube fight king to a Bas Rutten disciple in the word of Mixed Martial Arts. Subsequently Kimbo has found himself on the newest cover of ESPN the Magazine. These two examples are clear-cut signs that even ESPN knows EliteXC has "something" in Slice and aren't afraid to expose that to their audience.
But with great hype comes great expectations. Slice cannot afford a loss this Saturday in EliteXC's network debut. James Thompson should provide a good challenge for Slice, as Thompson has a good amount of experience inside the octagon. Thompson is 14-8 in Mixed Martial Arts and he certainly "looks" the part. There's a reason they call him the "Colossus." However, Thompson is 2-6 in his last eight fights and hasn't won a fight in over a year.
There is no doubt that the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. should be predominately Slice fans due to the fans wanting to see Kimbo dominate and his exposure, thus far, leading into the event has been tremendous. There is a certain energy he exudes and the fans should relate to that. Fans enjoy his aggressive fighting style. Not one of Slice's three fights (three wins, zero losses) have lasted more than 1 minutes and 12 seconds, with his last two fights ending decisively via the knockout.
A nationwide audience will have their eyes on EliteXC this Saturday and in particular their biggest star, Kimbo Slice. There is no room for disappointment, not after all the hype.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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