Kimbo Slice: Strikeforce’s Missed Opportunity?
Loretta Hunt Jun 4, 2009
For all his putdowns, UFC President Dana White sure moved in on
“Kimbo Slice” fast enough. Just over two weeks ago, Slice, also
known as Kevin
Ferguson, was still contracted to Pro Elite. Now the father of
six is lounging on a bunk bed inside a secluded Las Vegas house
with 15 other UFC hopefuls.
MMA’s answer to Gordon Gekko, White knows a win-win situation when he sees one.
Though it’s easy to dismiss the novice cage dweller as a fighting
fraud -- especially after his dismal 14-second non-performance
against late replacement Seth
Petruzelli last October -- fans have certainly flocked back
around to see where Slice has landed and how he will handle it.
Of the myriad of enticing storylines that might come from the bearded one’s TUF sleepover this September: backyard brawler proves legit after all or sport’s ultimate sham is exposed.
Until two weeks ago, Spike TV’s early Christmas present was Strikeforce’s to unwrap. The San Jose-based promotion had optioned Slice’s contract from the ruins of EliteXC, but couldn’t negotiate a pay scale amicable to both sides.
Ferguson was paid an astronomical $500,000 for his last appearance -- an amount Strikeforce would have been hard-pressed to bargain from.
With no middle ground reached, Ferguson was released from his EliteXC contract on May 13, and with that, did the proverbial golden goose glide right out Strikeforce’s door? CEO Scott Coker seemed unemotional about his choice.
“I think with Kimbo there still is that question mark and this will be an opportunity for him to test himself,” Coker told Sherdog.com Tuesday. “He had a rough start in the first part of his career and only time will tell how we develops.”
Though Coker might live to regret his decision, he saw obvious obstacles in promoting the much-publicized fighter, who’s had very little on-the-job experience.
“For us, we’re built differently than the UFC is,” said Coker. “Who would I have [Slice] go in and fight? Alistair Overeem? Arlovski? Or Brett Rogers right now? Being on a different platform, let’s see how he can flourish under those guidelines and with those quality of fighters.”
MMA’s answer to Gordon Gekko, White knows a win-win situation when he sees one.
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Of the myriad of enticing storylines that might come from the bearded one’s TUF sleepover this September: backyard brawler proves legit after all or sport’s ultimate sham is exposed.
Either way, it’s a rating’s bonanza waiting to happen, and you bet
the sport’s most formidable promotion will be there to ride the
wave.
Until two weeks ago, Spike TV’s early Christmas present was Strikeforce’s to unwrap. The San Jose-based promotion had optioned Slice’s contract from the ruins of EliteXC, but couldn’t negotiate a pay scale amicable to both sides.
Ferguson was paid an astronomical $500,000 for his last appearance -- an amount Strikeforce would have been hard-pressed to bargain from.
With no middle ground reached, Ferguson was released from his EliteXC contract on May 13, and with that, did the proverbial golden goose glide right out Strikeforce’s door? CEO Scott Coker seemed unemotional about his choice.
“I think with Kimbo there still is that question mark and this will be an opportunity for him to test himself,” Coker told Sherdog.com Tuesday. “He had a rough start in the first part of his career and only time will tell how we develops.”
Though Coker might live to regret his decision, he saw obvious obstacles in promoting the much-publicized fighter, who’s had very little on-the-job experience.
“For us, we’re built differently than the UFC is,” said Coker. “Who would I have [Slice] go in and fight? Alistair Overeem? Arlovski? Or Brett Rogers right now? Being on a different platform, let’s see how he can flourish under those guidelines and with those quality of fighters.”
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