Kimbo in the UFC: The Ultimate Hypocrite
Published by Jim Genia on June 4th, 2009 in Current Events

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The morning after Kimbo Slice fought James Thompson on EliteXC’s “Primetime” CBS venture, UFC honcho Dana White was on TV, joining the ranks of the opinionated talking heads to decry the spectacle as garbage and bad for the sport. His invective would include painting Slice as the furthest thing from a mixed martial arts athlete, and later on, after stating that the former backyard brawler would get killed in the Octagon against even the weakest of UFC competition, he said Slice’s only entrance into his organization would be as a contestant “The Ultimate Fighter”. Well, with the recent announcement that Slice is participating in TUF 10, the UFC president wasn’t lying in that regard. But for dangling whatever financial carrot he could (i.e., a purportedly far more lucrative contract than those usually meted out to TUF winners, as well as probable “under the table” incentives) to entice Slice into breathing life into his stagnant reality show, White is “The Ultimate Hypocrite”.

These are the facts: Slice’s EliteXC scrap against Thompson was the most-watched MMA bout in American history; Slice’s losing venture against Seth Petruzelli, again on CBS, was the third most-watched MMA bout; when Slice debuted in an exhibition bout against ex-boxing champ Ray Mercer he earned over fifty grand, and when he lost to Petruzelli his price tag was at least 500,000 bucks (and rumored to be around $700,000). The YouTube legend is a proven media magnet and a ratings goldmine. Consequently, he is used to big, fat, juicy paychecks.

However, enriched TUF winner’s contract notwithstanding, is it believable that Slice would subject himself to the rigors of the TUF House for nothing more than face-time on SpikeTV and all the free Xyience and UFC apparel he could pilfer? No, it’s not even remotely believable. And if Slice were to even consider such financial folly, there’s no doubt his loyal but famously shrewd manager “Icey” Mike Imber would remind Slice of his high-paying offers from Strikeforce and K-1 in Japan, and savagely beat him with a loaf of bread until his ward regained his senses. White is making it very worthwhile for Slice to risk further exposure as an inexperienced MMA competitor. Very, very worthwhile.

This is, of course, a smart business move. Slice on TUF means far more than having an all-heavyweight season, a quartet of ex-NFL players as aspirants and whatever coaching heat Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans can muster. Fans will tune in to see Slice win and fans will tune in to see him lose. They’ll tune in like never before just to see a man who built his reputation beating on the unskilled in backyards and parking lots. If Slice is defeated, he’s defeated on the UFC’s terms, and his luster – which made him a headliner for other organizations – is lost. If Slice somehow shines, the UFC will have its on roster the biggest, most-recognizable star the sport has ever seen. It’s a scenario that contains very little potential for downside for White and his company.

And if you close your eyes and squint, and ignore the hypocrisy of turning the spotlight on what was once described as nothing more than a circus act, you may even enjoy it.