Tuf 10 Kimbo vs Roy Nelson next Wednesday?
- Thread starter Shogun Locc
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Kimbo Slice denies he declined rematch with Petruzelli, discusses "TUF" fight with Nelson
For anyone expecting an explosive and over-the-top Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson on today's media call to promote this week's new episode of "The Ultimate Fighter 10," the fighter and cast member likely disappointed.
Ferguson, whose fight with Roy Nelson highlights episode three of "TUF 10" on Wednesday night (10 p.m. ET/PT, Spike TV), expertly handled the swarm of questions and came across quite pleasant, if not charming, during the one-hour media session.
His tone changed, though, once he was asked about Seth Petruzelli's recent comments that Ferguson turned down multiple opportunities for the fighters to rematch.
As has been well-documented, Ferguson suffered a loss to late replacement Petruzelli at "EliteXC: Heat" in October 2008. Petruzelli jumped up a weight class and took the fight on just a few hours' notice when Ferguson's original opponent, Ken Shamrock, suffered a facial cut and wasn't cleared to compete. Petruzelli posted a 14-second TKO victory, delivered Ferguson his first career loss, and threw the last bit of proverbial dirt on the grave of EliteXC, which folded a few weeks later.
Ferguson later signed with the UFC to appear on the current heavyweights-only season of "TUF." And last week, in a posting on the popular forum The Underground, Petruzelli stated he, too, was likely to sign with the UFC.
But in the post, the "TUF 2" cast member and former UFC fighter also called out Ferguson and suggested he was the reason no rematch ever happened between the two fighters.
"There were three times that we could have fought after the [EliteXC] show for you to get a rematch, but you declined all three times," Petruzelli wrote in an open letter to Kimbo.
Today, media members heard the softer side of Ferguson, who said his spot on "TUF" will serve as proof to his kids that dreams can come true. However, when told about Petruzelli's comments, Ferguson couldn't hold back.
"Seth needs to be careful now because we both live in the same backyard, and I know that little sissy ice cream shop (he owns), I can walk in at any given time and go, 'Yo, what's up, man?'" Ferguson said after MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) told him about Petruzelli's comments. "No one ever approached me with no rematch with Seth, and I never turned that [expletive] down. That right there is B.S. bull [expletive]. ... It didn't happen."
Ferguson was steadfast in his claims that he never had been approached about a rematch. In fact, he said he welcomes it and has never turned down a fight with anyone.
"If Seth signed with the UFC, and if Dana (White) and them want to match it up, damn right I'll run it again with him," Ferguson said. "We don't even need to do it in a ring. We can do it bare-knuckle style because I don't like liars. I've never turned down a rematch with anybody. Anyone I fought, I'll fight them again.
"It ain't personal. It's just the fact that it's bull [expletive]. No one ever said, 'Hey Kimbo, do you want to rematch Seth?' and I was like, 'No.' I've never said no to nothing. Not like that. Not to him."
In fact, Ferguson said he didn't even have a reason to think about Petruzelli because he considered the matter resolved.
"I'm thinking I've got no reason to shut up this guy because he hasn't been talking [expletive]," Ferguson said. "But since you're the first one that's told me that this man has posted up something saying that I've denied a rematch with him three times – come on, man. Are you for real?"
Regardless of whether Ferguson vs. Petruzelli II ever happens, viewers will definitely get to see Kimbo in his first UFC fight on Wednesday's episode of "TUF." Although the episode was taped a few months ago, everyone involved with the reality show has been tight-lipped about the results. And while Ferguson obviously didn't divulge any results of the fight, he did say he was pleased with his effort against Nelson, the final heavyweight champion of the now-defunct IFL organization who's widely regarded as one of the division's top 15 or 20 fighters.
"I was impressed with my performance," Ferguson said. "I'm not crying about anything."
Wednesday's episode of "TUF 10" is expected to be the highest-rated in "TUF" history with UFC president White suggesting the possibility of seven million viewers. "TUF 10," which also features three former UFC fighters and four NFL vets, debuted on Sept. 16 with a series record 4.1 million viewers, crushing the previous high of 2.8 million set in 2006 with the season-three debut.
For anyone expecting an explosive and over-the-top Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson on today's media call to promote this week's new episode of "The Ultimate Fighter 10," the fighter and cast member likely disappointed.
Ferguson, whose fight with Roy Nelson highlights episode three of "TUF 10" on Wednesday night (10 p.m. ET/PT, Spike TV), expertly handled the swarm of questions and came across quite pleasant, if not charming, during the one-hour media session.
His tone changed, though, once he was asked about Seth Petruzelli's recent comments that Ferguson turned down multiple opportunities for the fighters to rematch.
As has been well-documented, Ferguson suffered a loss to late replacement Petruzelli at "EliteXC: Heat" in October 2008. Petruzelli jumped up a weight class and took the fight on just a few hours' notice when Ferguson's original opponent, Ken Shamrock, suffered a facial cut and wasn't cleared to compete. Petruzelli posted a 14-second TKO victory, delivered Ferguson his first career loss, and threw the last bit of proverbial dirt on the grave of EliteXC, which folded a few weeks later.
Ferguson later signed with the UFC to appear on the current heavyweights-only season of "TUF." And last week, in a posting on the popular forum The Underground, Petruzelli stated he, too, was likely to sign with the UFC.
But in the post, the "TUF 2" cast member and former UFC fighter also called out Ferguson and suggested he was the reason no rematch ever happened between the two fighters.
"There were three times that we could have fought after the [EliteXC] show for you to get a rematch, but you declined all three times," Petruzelli wrote in an open letter to Kimbo.
Today, media members heard the softer side of Ferguson, who said his spot on "TUF" will serve as proof to his kids that dreams can come true. However, when told about Petruzelli's comments, Ferguson couldn't hold back.
"Seth needs to be careful now because we both live in the same backyard, and I know that little sissy ice cream shop (he owns), I can walk in at any given time and go, 'Yo, what's up, man?'" Ferguson said after MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) told him about Petruzelli's comments. "No one ever approached me with no rematch with Seth, and I never turned that [expletive] down. That right there is B.S. bull [expletive]. ... It didn't happen."
Ferguson was steadfast in his claims that he never had been approached about a rematch. In fact, he said he welcomes it and has never turned down a fight with anyone.
"If Seth signed with the UFC, and if Dana (White) and them want to match it up, damn right I'll run it again with him," Ferguson said. "We don't even need to do it in a ring. We can do it bare-knuckle style because I don't like liars. I've never turned down a rematch with anybody. Anyone I fought, I'll fight them again.
"It ain't personal. It's just the fact that it's bull [expletive]. No one ever said, 'Hey Kimbo, do you want to rematch Seth?' and I was like, 'No.' I've never said no to nothing. Not like that. Not to him."
In fact, Ferguson said he didn't even have a reason to think about Petruzelli because he considered the matter resolved.
"I'm thinking I've got no reason to shut up this guy because he hasn't been talking [expletive]," Ferguson said. "But since you're the first one that's told me that this man has posted up something saying that I've denied a rematch with him three times – come on, man. Are you for real?"
Regardless of whether Ferguson vs. Petruzelli II ever happens, viewers will definitely get to see Kimbo in his first UFC fight on Wednesday's episode of "TUF." Although the episode was taped a few months ago, everyone involved with the reality show has been tight-lipped about the results. And while Ferguson obviously didn't divulge any results of the fight, he did say he was pleased with his effort against Nelson, the final heavyweight champion of the now-defunct IFL organization who's widely regarded as one of the division's top 15 or 20 fighters.
"I was impressed with my performance," Ferguson said. "I'm not crying about anything."
Wednesday's episode of "TUF 10" is expected to be the highest-rated in "TUF" history with UFC president White suggesting the possibility of seven million viewers. "TUF 10," which also features three former UFC fighters and four NFL vets, debuted on Sept. 16 with a series record 4.1 million viewers, crushing the previous high of 2.8 million set in 2006 with the season-three debut.
In other notes:
• Shooting down this week’s obnoxious rumor that Slice pulled a gun after getting armbarred in training at ATT: “First of all, I carry my gun wherever I go. I don’t have to leave and come back with nothing,” said Slice. “I was at ATT a couple of years ago and I got armbarred, but I didn’t go get no pistol or nothing like that or come back with no pistol. I got armbarred and didn’t like it, but I know how to defend that sh-- now, so I won’t be having that problem anymore.
• On coach Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s retirement revelation: “He’s not walking away from the UFC. Rampage is chasing his career right now,” said Slice. “Fighting was his job…his bread and butter. He’s an actor as well. Right now, he’s just putting fighting on hold.”
Though Slice said he hasn’t spoken with Jackson recently, he whole-heartedly supported Jackson’s decision.
• Speaking of acting, Slice is reporting in a week and a half to Texas to shoot a small role in a film, but said the 2- to 3-day shoot won’t affect training.
“A three-month training camp is what I’m used to,” said Slice. “I’m in camp now for my fight in December. I’m never away for two weeks or three weeks or anything like that. I wouldn’t do anything that takes three weeks of my time when I know I have a fight coming up. That would be just stupid on my part.”
• Slice told reporters his stamina has never been an issue in a three-round fight, citing his bout with James Thompson at EliteXC.
• Though he weighs a comfortable 230 pounds most days, Slice said he’d be willing to shed the pounds to fight at light heavyweight if the promoters asked him to do so.
• Slice seemed open to a training jaunt with rival coach, Rashad Evans, who voiced his interest in bringing Slice to his famed camp.
“That would be a possibility,” said Slice. “Greg Jackson’s camp, I’ve heard, is the best that’s out there right now. Anyone who’s trying to become a fighter or if you’re fighter and you want to become a better fighter, other than American Top Team, Greg Jackson’s camp is the best one out there.
• Momma Slice seemed to believe backyard brawling was a better alternative to drug dealing or burglary:
“I couldn’t get selling drugs, or stealing something for somebody or breaking into someone’s house. I couldn’t get caught with a mother like mine, so I had to find another way to make a living,” said Slice.
• Shooting down this week’s obnoxious rumor that Slice pulled a gun after getting armbarred in training at ATT: “First of all, I carry my gun wherever I go. I don’t have to leave and come back with nothing,” said Slice. “I was at ATT a couple of years ago and I got armbarred, but I didn’t go get no pistol or nothing like that or come back with no pistol. I got armbarred and didn’t like it, but I know how to defend that sh-- now, so I won’t be having that problem anymore.
• On coach Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s retirement revelation: “He’s not walking away from the UFC. Rampage is chasing his career right now,” said Slice. “Fighting was his job…his bread and butter. He’s an actor as well. Right now, he’s just putting fighting on hold.”
Though Slice said he hasn’t spoken with Jackson recently, he whole-heartedly supported Jackson’s decision.
• Speaking of acting, Slice is reporting in a week and a half to Texas to shoot a small role in a film, but said the 2- to 3-day shoot won’t affect training.
“A three-month training camp is what I’m used to,” said Slice. “I’m in camp now for my fight in December. I’m never away for two weeks or three weeks or anything like that. I wouldn’t do anything that takes three weeks of my time when I know I have a fight coming up. That would be just stupid on my part.”
• Slice told reporters his stamina has never been an issue in a three-round fight, citing his bout with James Thompson at EliteXC.
• Though he weighs a comfortable 230 pounds most days, Slice said he’d be willing to shed the pounds to fight at light heavyweight if the promoters asked him to do so.
• Slice seemed open to a training jaunt with rival coach, Rashad Evans, who voiced his interest in bringing Slice to his famed camp.
“That would be a possibility,” said Slice. “Greg Jackson’s camp, I’ve heard, is the best that’s out there right now. Anyone who’s trying to become a fighter or if you’re fighter and you want to become a better fighter, other than American Top Team, Greg Jackson’s camp is the best one out there.
• Momma Slice seemed to believe backyard brawling was a better alternative to drug dealing or burglary:
“I couldn’t get selling drugs, or stealing something for somebody or breaking into someone’s house. I couldn’t get caught with a mother like mine, so I had to find another way to make a living,” said Slice.
From what I've seen from Roy in the ifl, dude was pretty bad ass. Hard to call this fight. Jus seen kimbos ground game while he was trainin (in tuf), he SUCCED. Don't really kno y rampage was on kimbos dicc so much when he picced him. I'd think that rampage had more respect for mma than to jus picc kimbo off top like that. I can't call it tho. If it goes to the ground def Roy. If it stays standin, then I don't kno. Eh. Fold
PAYMENT DUE: KIMBO'S TIME HAS COME
“I’m not a mixed martial artist, I’m a fighter. I’m gonna fight him, win or lose.”
Such were the words of Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson when his fight against Roy Nelson was announced for this week’s episode of “The Ultimate Fighter: The Heavyweights.” And perhaps this simplicity is the appeal of the man who built his initial reputation in backyard brawls on YouTube.
Nelson is a former International Fight League champion. His professional record is 13-4. He enters the bout with Kimbo coming off of back-to-back losses for the first time in his lengthy career, but those losses were to former UFC heavyweight title challenger Jeff Monson and former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. Nelson has four times the mixed martial arts experience of Kimbo.
The majority of his fight experience being the aforementioned backyard punch-outs that highlight him on YouTube, Kimbo has a record of 3-1 in MMA. Most of those bouts were little more than his backyard experiences, save for a tough test against British brawler James Thompson.
In Nelson, Kimbo easily faces the most difficult test of his career. He must fight a true, well-rounded mixed martial artist.
“I wouldn’t want it no other way,” he said during a conference call with the media on Monday to promote Wednesday night’s TUF episode.
And he’s not fazed by the attention the fight has drawn.
“It’s just the first fight for me after my last fight,” he said, of course knowing full well what the result is with the episode being filmed months ago. “This fight is very exciting. This fight is probably, pound for pound, one of my best fights.”
Regardless of how the fight turned out, Kimbo will be fighting again in December’s finale. It’s now just a matter of finding out if he made it to the finals of the series, or whether he’ll be part of the supporting cast elsewhere on the card. But either way, he knows he has work to do and has already begun to shoulder the load.
“I’m still there... a puncher working on my ground game. Mixed martial arts, it’s that type of training where you learn life. The more you roll, the more you learn. That’s something you have to continue to do,” said Kimbo, adding that he has signed on to train with American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla.
“I need a camp now. I need to be involved in a camp; I need a home. That’s why I made this move that I’ve made.”
But he knows now the focus is on his TUF experience and whether or not this fighter can run the gauntlet to become a mixed martial artist.
It doesn’t come easy. Every athlete at this level pays his dues.
“That’s just pretty much how it is in the world; you have to prove yourself.”
And visual evidence of that proof comes Wednesday night.
“I’m not a mixed martial artist, I’m a fighter. I’m gonna fight him, win or lose.”
Such were the words of Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson when his fight against Roy Nelson was announced for this week’s episode of “The Ultimate Fighter: The Heavyweights.” And perhaps this simplicity is the appeal of the man who built his initial reputation in backyard brawls on YouTube.
Nelson is a former International Fight League champion. His professional record is 13-4. He enters the bout with Kimbo coming off of back-to-back losses for the first time in his lengthy career, but those losses were to former UFC heavyweight title challenger Jeff Monson and former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. Nelson has four times the mixed martial arts experience of Kimbo.
The majority of his fight experience being the aforementioned backyard punch-outs that highlight him on YouTube, Kimbo has a record of 3-1 in MMA. Most of those bouts were little more than his backyard experiences, save for a tough test against British brawler James Thompson.
In Nelson, Kimbo easily faces the most difficult test of his career. He must fight a true, well-rounded mixed martial artist.
“I wouldn’t want it no other way,” he said during a conference call with the media on Monday to promote Wednesday night’s TUF episode.
And he’s not fazed by the attention the fight has drawn.
“It’s just the first fight for me after my last fight,” he said, of course knowing full well what the result is with the episode being filmed months ago. “This fight is very exciting. This fight is probably, pound for pound, one of my best fights.”
Regardless of how the fight turned out, Kimbo will be fighting again in December’s finale. It’s now just a matter of finding out if he made it to the finals of the series, or whether he’ll be part of the supporting cast elsewhere on the card. But either way, he knows he has work to do and has already begun to shoulder the load.
“I’m still there... a puncher working on my ground game. Mixed martial arts, it’s that type of training where you learn life. The more you roll, the more you learn. That’s something you have to continue to do,” said Kimbo, adding that he has signed on to train with American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla.
“I need a camp now. I need to be involved in a camp; I need a home. That’s why I made this move that I’ve made.”
But he knows now the focus is on his TUF experience and whether or not this fighter can run the gauntlet to become a mixed martial artist.
It doesn’t come easy. Every athlete at this level pays his dues.
“That’s just pretty much how it is in the world; you have to prove yourself.”
And visual evidence of that proof comes Wednesday night.
