Kimbo Slice, the next Ultimate Fighter???

Will Kimbo be the Next Ultimate Fighter?

The big news in MMA lately has been that Kimbo Slice, the Youtube street fighting legend, and Elite XC contender, is now a participant in The Ultimate Fighter 10, Heavyweights. Such a household name making it onto the show has caused alot of talking, and the big question, will Kimbo become the Ultimate Fighter season 10 winner?
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson showed immediate interest in Kimbo as soon as he walked through the door. Rampaged feels as if Kimbo has what it takes to win the whole show hands down, and has taken Kimbo under his wing, making him his personal project, similar to how Tito Ortiz had treated Matt Hammill. But many of the household members disagree. They seem to feel that Kimbo is merely a street fighter, and does not belong in the house. Every man in that house has the right to his own opinion, but the issue here is if that is how u feel, your going to have to beat Kimbo. To say he don't belong is one thing, beating him off the show is another.
There is no doubt in my mind that Kimbo is legitimately tough. There is doubt, however, wether or not he has what it takes to compete in the UFC. If you recall, Kimbo got TKO'd quickly in his last fight in Elite XC, by Zeth Petruzzeli, a former Ultimate Fighter, who lost the show by the way. Petruzzeli has a good karate and kickboxing background, and that was enough to beat Kimbo, and the level of competition in the house, and the UFC heavyweight division, is greater than Kimbo's skillset. If a guy who lost the Ultimate Fighter is able to beat Slice, what about the guys who didn't lose the Ultimate Fighter, what about the guys who are already at the top of the UFC rankings, what about the guys as good or better than Zeth Petruzzeli, that are in the house right now?
Kimbo is to fight next week against Roy "Big Country" Nelson. Big Country is a former IFL standout, he is already known, and has a good amount of experience. Big Country however is going to lose this fight. His tendency to want to slug it out when he fights will get him KOd by the stronger, better striker in Kimbo. This fight will cause alot of talking and speculation as to if Kimbo will go all the way. Kimbo will not win the show though, thats all there is to it.
As a big Ultimate Fighter fan however, I know very well, that you don't have to win the Ultimate Fighter to get into the UFC. All you have to do is make an impression. Kimbo no doubt will make the impression needed to fight in the UFC, and not to mention the amount of money having Kimbo Slice on any fight card will bring in. So yes, you can expect to see Kimbo Slice fight in the UFC, but do not look for him to be a big contender, because when pitted against a well rounded fighter, he will lose every time. Any fighter who is skilled on the groung will win, fighters such as UFC champ, Brock Lesnar, Former champ, Frank Mir, and Pride legend Rodrigo Nogueria, are in no danger of losing a fight to Kimbo Slice. Fighters with a higher pedigree of standup such as Cheik Kongo, Mirko Crocop, or Cain Velazquiz are not in danger either. I am not saying Kimbo won't be an exciting edition to the UFC, I am just saying, it is extremely unlikely that Kimbo Slice will ever be the UFC champion, or the Ultimate Fighter winner.

Silva's Title Reign in trouble???

Nate Marquardt back in title contention

Nate "the great" Marquardt has spoke repeatedly about a rematch with Anderson Silva, and winning the UFC Middleweight championship. After his 21 second KO victory of the undefeated Damian Maia, that rematch looks very possible. Marquardt has been driven to the edge of insanity over his loss to silva, saying he knows he can beat him, and will beat him and become champ.

Nate currently is on a 3 fight win streak, all impressive wins, Damian Maia(Maia's first loss), wilson Gouveia (ending Wilson's 7 fight win streak) and Martin Kampmann(ending Martin's 9 fight win streak). No doubt, Marquardt seems hellbent and determined, and is definately on the right track for a title shot. But is even a streak such as this one enough to derail the current UFC Middleweight champ? Has Marquardt improved enough to win this time? Can Marquardt become UFC champion? .................. I say YES!

Marquardt no doubt posesses the credintials to win. He is the 7 time King Of Pancrase, he is on an impressive win streak, and he trains at Greg Jackson's gym. Jackson is a master of strategy, and it is unlikely that he would allow Marquardt to make the same mistakes twice. On top of that, Marquardt trains with great fighters such as George St. Pierre, Rashad Evans, Keith Jardine, and Duane Ludwig. A team of elite fighters such as this is always helpfull, and can do nothing other than improve eachother's games.

Marquardt is a dominant force, and scary enough, he is improving. He believes that there is always more to learn, and he constantly tries to better himself. He has done just that, especially as of late.

I believe Nate Marquardt should be next in line for Anderson Silva's title. I also believe Silva is in big trouble. Silva has not defended his title against anybody legitimate lately, and put on lackluster performances in each of his last two title defenses. His most recent fight was at lightheavyweight, and he squared off against Forrest Griffin, and KO'd Griffin in the first rd. No doubt that shows Silva still has it, but has this streak of terror gone to Silva's head. Is it not possible that Silva may be too confident? I can assure you, Nate Marquardt is extremely hungry for the win, and is very driven, and that alone could be the difference maker.

Either way, this will be a great fight, potentially fight of the year, and I hope it happens soon. Marquardt has been counting down the days til he gets a rematch, and he's not counting alone, I too am very excited, and I too believe he will beat Silva when they match up. The only thing that could be in Marquardt's way right now, is having to fight the winner of Mike Swick vs martin Kampmann, and Marquardt has already beaten Kampmann, so that fight is unlikely to derail Nate "the great" Good luck Silva, enjoy the title while you have it, The King Of Pancrase is coming for it!!!

UFC 102 was a jampacked card with great fighters and even greater fights! if u didn't get the chance to see the action unfold, here are the results.Randy Couture vs Antonio Rodrigo

Nogueira- Nogueira won by decisionThiago Siva vs Keith jardine- Silva won by first rd. K.O
Jake Rosholt vs Chris Leben- Rosholt won in the 3rd rd. with a head and arm choke
Nate Marquardt vs Damian Maia- Marquardt won by Knockout in the first rd.
Brandon Vera vs Krystoff Sozynski- Vera won by unanimous decision
Aaron Simspson vs Ed Herman- simpson won by TKO in the 2nd rd
.Gabriel Gonzaga vs Chris Tucserer- Gonzaga won by first rd. TKO
Mike Russow vs Justin McCully- Mike Russow won by Unanimous decision.
Tod Dufee vs Tim Hague- Duffe won by first rd. KO
Mark Munoz vs Nick Catone- Munoz wins by decision
Evan Dunham vs Marcus Aurellio- Dunham won by decisiona

couple shockin endings to say the least, but thats how the ufc works, you just can't predict whats going to happen in that cage! and if you thought that card was good, just you wait til 103!
Labels: Mixed Martial Arts: UFC 102 results