Why We Love Kimbo Slice

Kimbo Slice took the Internet and the public's consciousness by storm in 2003. Six years later he's still going strong, much to the dismay of the Kimbo haters. Just what is it about Kimbo that has so firmly captured the public's attention? 

Kimbo's First Fight Video
Who could ever forget the infamous Kimbo vs. Byrd (Big D) video that popped up on the Sublime Directory with it's guresome surprise ending? And what about Kimbo allowing his opponent several free shots to his face and then declaring, "That's all you got! Then it's over!" How many people were horrified by the seemingly unstopable Kimbo, a man who by all appearances had just been released from prison? Kimbo's frightening appearance and ferocity were what initially caught the public's imagination.

Kimbo Enters MMA
Kimbo's first MMA fight was against Ray Mercer (Kimbo vs. Ray Mercer) and many people expected the more experienced former champion to dispatch Kimbo with ease. We were shocked when Kimbo quickly took Mercer to the ground and finished the bout via guillotine choke. It was at this point that many people began to see a real future for Kimbo as a mixed martial artist.

Kimbo's Defeat
The world was shocked when Kimbo was knocked out by Seth Petruzelli 14 seconds into thier bout on Elite XC's live broadcast. Kimbo went underground and the world wondered if Kimbo Slice's career as a fighter was now over.

Kimbo Returns as a Contenstant on The Ultimate Fighter
How surprised we were to see Kimbo Slice return to the public eye as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter. While Kimbo was fighting for Elite XC Dana White openly trash talked Kimbo, disparaging his skills as an MMA fighter repeatedly. When asked whether Kimbo would ever fight in the UFC he said that the only way that would happen is if Kimbo competed as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) and won his way onto the show, and Kimbo took him up on that challenge.

Kimbo continues to challenge the public's perception of just who Kimbo Slice is. Nobody expected the humble, earnest, and down to earth person Kimbo's turned out to be. Even though he lost his first fight on TUF and showed that he has nearly zero ground game, many of his former detractors are now rooting for Kimbo.

Kimbo's Future as an MMA Fighter
It remains to be seen whether Kimbo can develop the takedown defense and ground game necessary to compete in MMA, but we all want to see him give it his best shot. Kimbo may not be the best fighter out there, but he's one of the most entertaining to watch. It's entirely possible that if MMA doesn't work out for Kimbo he may have a future as a professional boxer. Whichever career Kimbo decides to pursue, you can be sure there will be an audience ready to watch his efforts.

More Kimbo Resources
Kimbo Slice Fights
Kimbo Slice Biography
Kimbo Slice News