As regular readers know, I don't have much respect for Kimbo Slice as an MMA fighter. But I do have a lot of respect for Bas Rutten as a fighter, trainer and commentator, and I was interested in some of the complimentary comments that Rutten had for Kimbo on this week's edition of HDNet's Inside MMA.A segment of the show included a question from a viewer asking Rutten to name the best fighters he's trained. Rutten mentioned several, including Kimbo, whom he has consistently praised for his natural ability as a striker and his hard work and dedication to improving his craft.
"I think Kimbo's striking really came together," Rutten said. "His boxing got better and better."
Of course, any time anyone says anything positive about Kimbo, the question remains: So why couldn't he last even 15 seconds with Seth Petruzelli?
Rutten's answer: "There's always a chance that you get hit. That doesn't say anything about his techniques."
I won't be convinced until I see Kimbo beat an opponent of some quality. But Rutten has a lot of credibility in MMA, and it says something that he's willing to put that credibility on the line in his unwavering support for Kimbo.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ive been saying this for a while. People want to doubt from the onset on this guy cuz of the street fighting. You have to remember hes only been training for about 1 and a half years. At that level what do u think will happen against pros? He is a crazy good, explosive athlete with great power. I say this in 2 to 3 years if he keeps training like he is Dana and a lot of Sh@t talkers will be shook!
Kimbo is 34 years old (soon to be 35)..so in 2-3 years simple math tells us that will make him 37-38...his game as a pro will not happen on any major level..EVER! You might see him on an exhibition card, such as Butterbean ect. ect.. He was never a great MMA fighter nor a boxer (or a street thug/fighter)..but he did possess good power and a strong will to...well make money.Getting knocked out by Seth did not factor my opinion at all, that can happen to anyone at anytime in this sport.He is a dime a dozen, nothing special..big dude with good power, mediocre boxing skills, and zero ground game.No one will be "shook" believe me, he is no threat to a real pro at all.BJ Penn, the current UFC, LIGHT WEIGHT champion..would dismantle him in my opinion, much less a true HW.I respect Bas Rutten, but I cannot agree with him on this one.I don't know the whole story or what money is to be made or was made through his connection with Kimbo but I do not think a single person in the sport outside of him seriously thinks of Slice as a MMA fighter nor ever did.People will continue to have their opinions, and I will have mine, but I'm pretty much done with even thinking about him.In 5 years you will say I wonder what happen to that guy..what was his name again..? In 10 you won't even care to recollect.
kimbo to this day im your number 1 fan.i hope u read this,and to those people who talk bad about u,wherever i am i stick up 4 u no matter what.most of these critics never had a fight in there life.
i fought in the golden gloves so i know what it feels to fight in front of thousands.i hope you come back and fight petrazelli and beat him.he hit u in the back of your head but you never use that as a crutch!brock lesner just got into mma!you would knock him out!
some people say getting into mma in your 30's is a disadvantage.i say it is an advantage.u havent taken as many hits as these guys.take care kimbo you have a fan for life no matter if you fight ever again or not.
your number 1 fan Tony Thibault