Frank Mir, the Brazilian jiu jitsu specialist who will be a coach on The Ultimate Fighter this season and will fight for the UFC heavyweight championship in December, is a smart, articulate man who represents the sport of mixed martial arts well.But Mir thinks MMA has an image problem, and he thinks some of the sport's best-known competitors -- including Kimbo Slice -- are the reason for that. He tells Five Ounces of Pain:
Let's face it, the public's perception of MMA is not exactly fantastic. Every time guys like Tank Abbot or Krazy Horse (Charles Bennett) fought or even now with Kimbo Slice; every time Kimbo fights it sets the sport back. Guys like that just reinforce the idea in the public's eye that we are all blood thirsty barbarians who just want to pummel each other and that there is no skill required. Guys like them do the sport a disservice.Kimbo will fight Ken Shamrock on October 4; Mir will fight Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira on December 27. I'll be watching both, and while I agree that Mir-Nogueira is a better fight, that doesn't mean I think Kimbo-Shamrock is bad for the sport.
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And Brock Lesnar is any different?
Brock lesnar is totally different he was an NCAA wrestling champion and 4 time all american were as kimbo slice fought in back yards and admitting that he was high for the majority of those fights. How is Lesnar bad for the sport
I say Kimbo vs Lesnar. Both are huge, strong guys. Both can grapple but are NOT geniuses on the ground (yet). It would not be a dull fight (but it could be a short one!)
I agree. Brock is a side show! It takes more guts to fight in the street and especially high then to wrestle in college. I'm no fan of Kimbo but Dana is going to make huge MONEY off that fight, therefore Kimbo+Lessner=SELLOUT
I'm not huge Kimbo fan but he's not bad for the sport. People like Melvin Guillard and Sherk who are doing steroids are. Mir has his ups and downs. He's come in out of shape and lost. Ok, he's one of the best in the HW division but he's sounding a like a bit of an elitist (sp). Kimbo interviews well and is trying to establish himself and is humble about it. So he's had a checkered past. So does Liddell and many guys on the TUF. Lighten up Mir and get in the cage..
shamrock has looked way past it for years.
I disagree with Mir 100%. How is Kimbo bad for the sport? Yes, he is known for his striking and stand up "gladiator" street brawling. So what. That is what he is bringing to the sport, that is his style. That is the brilliance of the sport, you can have 2 different styles in the octagon in any match, and may the best man/best technique win. Put him in there vs. a submission specialist or a muay thai fighters and see who wins. That is why the sport is more entertaining vs. traditional boxing. Mir needs to focus on Antionio and not worry about other fighting organizations.
I tend to agree with Frank on this one ... but it really doesn't matter. As soon as Kimbo fights a real mixed martial artist he will lose quickly and decisively. Thompson (Kimbo's last opponent) is not a good fighter, and he has a glass jaw (he got knocked out a lot in Pride). Yet Thompson had him in serious trouble in that fight ... Kimbo looked like he didn't want to continue after being beaten on the ground a little bit. Ken Shamrock is well past his prime, and even though he is in the UFC hall of fame he has never been a great fighter. He doesn't have any victories vs todays elite mma fighters. That being said, if Ken comes into this fight with decent conditioning and gets this fight to the ground he will likely win by submission. Once the Kimbo bubble bursts, hopefully some of the more talented MMA fighters from Elite XC will get the spot light!
I give huge props to Mir. Coming back from a motorcycle accident is one thing. To fight at top level again, hell thats heart, and luck. From someone who has 15 years of Kempo and Shotokan and some years of Thai boxing, I say why shouldnt anyone, who has enough skill in whatever form of fighting, not be allowed to fight? If they pass all requirements to fight, whatever they may be. Example: over weight limits, testing for drugs. If they pass, they pass. If they cant really fight, they are dead anyway. Have you ever been punched or kicked by someone with multiple black belts? The average Joe will have a broken jaw with one punch. A broken leg with one cut kick. A round house to the head.. Right,,, I think you get the idea. If the fighter complies with regualtions and all tests given by the promotor. Why complain about it? We all have skeletons in our closets. Let them fight and you can enjoy the fights from your armchair, and not get hurt. Stop trying to be the judges on any of this, look in your own back yards first. OR pony up and get in the damn ring yourself.
Why does everyone want to see a kimbo, Lesnear fight? That would be horrible. Did anyone watch the three fights brock had vs the kimbo fight. Kimbo is a absolute joke its an insult fight good pros everywhere that the xc puts this guy on a pedistal the way they do. Brock, Kimbo would be 2 seconds long, you can spend your hard earned money on that if you would like!