UFC
UFC 113 RESULTS: Kimbo Slice cut from UFC after TKO loss to Matt Mitrione at UFC 113
May 9, 2010 - 8:55:35 AM UFC 113 RESULTS: Kimbo Slice cut from UFC after TKO loss to Matt Mitrione at UFC 113

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The Kimbo Slice experiment in the UFC is finished.

After pulling record ratings for the UFC on Spike TV during the tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter, the famed former street fighter-turned-professional-MMA fighter is out of the UFC after only two official fights.

UFC President Dana White announced in the post fight press conference for UFC 113 that Slice would be released following his loss in Montreal to Matt "Meathead" Mitrione by TKO in the second round.

Slice opened up the first round well, getting a couple of big slams early after catching a kick from Mitrione, but the former NFL player showcased a fairly adept ground game in his second professional fight, nearly locking in a triangle and then later an anaconda choke complete with a gator roll in the first round.

Heading into the second round, Slice appeared to be gassed, allowing Mitrione to punish slice with leg kicks and combinations, eventually crumpling Kimbo to the ground against the cage. Mitrione moved to the mount position and landed a series of punches to which Slice could only throw up his hands to avoid. After briefly attempting a submission, Mitrione continued to land uncontested shots from the mount, causing the referee to stop the fight.

Asked about why Kimbo wouldn't receive at least one more shot considering this was his first and only UFC loss (technically), White told Ariel Helwani at MMAFighting.com, "Kimbo Slice is no different than any of the guys that don't make the cut and get cut from the UFC."

"It's not about being a huge draw, it's about having the right to be here. Whether you're a big draw or not this is about the sport and about who's the best and there's other people out there who deserve to be in the UFC."

White did express his gratitude and respect for Slice, not only for taking him up on the challenge to enter the UFC through The Ultimate Fighter, but also by legitimately trying to improve as a mixed martial artist. For Slice, however, that journey will no longer take place in the Octagon.

Penick's Analysis: I understand why White made the decision, and while I wouldn't disagree with giving Kimbo another shot, it's clear there's a very finite ceiling to his improvement as a fighter and far better competitors have been released from the UFC after losing fights. Quite simply he was exhausted after the first round, and Mitrione in his second fight showed a lot more promise and ability than Kimbo is going to be able to reach. Part of it is his age, part of it is simply his style, but despite some solid slams he was unable to keep Mitrione on the canvas and was outworked on the feet by a bigger, stronger and faster Mitrione.

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