Rumor:Kimbo vs James thompson

Publicado: Vie Oct 12, 2007 10:41 pm

No pense que llegaria a poner una noticia de Kimbo alguna vez , pero lo hice

Entrevista a Kimbo

It isn't everyday you get a phone call from Kimbo Slice's manager in response to an interview request in which he informs you that Kimbo is with him and "can do an interview now."

A longshot interview request comes through and suddenly I had Kimbo on the line. With no questions prepared I knew that this chance might not be around in a few hours and that I had to seize it.

Below is a transcript of an impromptu interview I conducted with Kimbo earlier this afternoon, just hours after ProElite.com announced that Slice had come to terms with EliteXC on a long-term contract.

Sam Caplan: It was announced earlier that you've signed a long-term contract with EliteXC, can you talk about other promotions that were bidding for your services?

Kimbo Slice: My manager can give you more information on that. I don't get involved with that part of the business.

Sam Caplan: When your manager presented you with EliteXC's offer, what attracted you to the deal?

Kimbo Slice: The whole presentation and how he came to me with it. He came and made it seem like it was pretty good. I met those guys and Jeremy (Lappen) and (B.J.) Penn's brother Jaydee and those guys were pretty cool guys and everything was fine and everything worked out good.

Sam Caplan: Can you confirm that you'll be debuting for EliteXC on Nov. 10 on Showtime?

Kimbo Slice: November Tenth! November Tenth, man! Showtime, that's right!

Sam Caplan: You'll be in Texas for that fight. Have they presented an opponent to you?

Kimbo Slice: It's between... I think... I guess they are going to work on either Tank (Abbott) or some guy, Thompson? Jason Thompson? James Thompson?

Sam Caplan: Oh, James Thompson. Okay. Do you have a preference?

Kimbo Slice: Nah. It's whatever. I'll fight anybody, man.

Sam Caplan: Can you talk about the length of the contract? Do you know how many fights it's four?

Kimbo Slice: Um, we're going to do like, maybe, four fights.

Sam Caplan: With the demise of the Cage Fury Fighting Championships, did they still hold an option on your contract to retain you? In other words, when did you become a free agent?

Kimbo Slice: I became a free agent the night that shit got canceled. (Laughs) The night that fight got canceled that's the night I became free.

Sam Caplan: You've been training with Bas Rutten a lot in LA. How's that training been going?

Kimbo Slice: Aw man, it's been going great. I miss those guys. I don't think any other trainers can match that type of training. When I'm not there I do miss it. I'm looking forward to going back and continuing to train with those guys.

Sam Caplan: Coming from street fights into mixed martial arts, have you found you've had to make any big adjustments?

Kimbo Slice: Yeah, there have been some major adjustments. Just everything. My life, the way that I am with my family. Being patient and being more dedicated to things and things that are more important. My life has been a complete transition coming from the streets and being a professional fighter now.

Sam Caplan: So your life has changed. Has it changed for the better?

Kimbo Slice: Yeah. Definitely.

Sam Caplan: Is street fighting something you'd ever consider going back to?

Kimbo Slice: I mean, it's the streets. You never know when you'll be back on the streets. If a fight happens, it happens. But as far knowingly? No, I wouldn't knowingly have a fight on the street with anybody now because it just wouldn't be fair.

Sam Caplan: Cage Fury seemed to push the matchup with Tank by having him in attendance after your win over Ray Mercer. Is there anything personal against Tank or is it just business?

Kimbo Slice: Aw no, it's just business. I don't know the guy. I only met him that night and I'm sure to his friends he's a real cool guy. I don't have no personal beef or issues with this guy whatsoever.

Sam Caplan: Is competing for a title something that would interest you down the line?

Kimbo Slice: Sure. But the money's got to be right. That's what it's pretty much about; fighting whoever for whatever amount of money or purse. If getting that title is going to get me more money then damn right, I'm going after it.

Sam Caplan: You've mentioned Tank and you've mentioned James Thompson. Who are some other guys that you think would be big money matchups for you?

Kimbo Slice: I'm not really sure. The heavyweights I know are big, big names; guys that have been in the business for years like Bas Rutten and Randy Couture and those guys are guys that I have a lot of respect for. Cro Cop, Fedor, and those guys -- I look up to those guys. I hope that I can stay in the game long enough so that I can be on their level and have the respect that they get.

Sam Caplan: Was there any apprehension in transitioning from unsanctioned street fights to mixed martial arts bouts before you made the deal to sign with Cage Fury?

Kimbo Slice: Fighting is something I want to do and it's just about being happy with the offers and what they present to me. I'm not ignorant to it. I have a brain in my head so it's about putting it to use and listening to the presentation. It has to be right. I have to be happy with that considering what I'm going to be doing as far as the training and the time I'm going to put in. Yeah, I have to be happy because I have to make them happy with my performance. I'm coming to fight. I'm not coming to pussyfoot around and play games and shake anybody's hand. I don't want to shake no one's hand. No one's hand! I'm coming in to fight.

Sam Caplan: A lot of fighters who come from standup backgrounds have trouble with the wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu aspects of MMA. You had a pretty good takedown on Ray Mercer but what's it been like trying to pick up Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling skills?

Kimbo Slice: It hasn't been easy, man. It's been frustrating. I get frustrated a lot. It's almost like 90% of the time I get frustrated. But that's what drives me. My frustration is what drives me. I'm determined and I will not be denied.

Sam Caplan: You have such a tremendous fanbase. A lot of people have gotten behind you and your YouTube videos are huge. What's it like to have that support behind you?

Kimbo Slice: Man, they like what they see. I know what they want and I'm going to give them what they want. They want to see me come in and bang and I'm coming in to bang. I'm going to what I got to do, you know (laughs)? I love the fans. They cool. I get a lot of respect from all of them out there and that's what it's about. They respect me and I respect them. They show me love and I show love back.

Sam Caplan: You have a lot of support out there and you're getting a lot of love from the people but you do have some critics here and there. They feel like there's no room in MMA for someone with a street fighting background. How do you respond to those kind of people?

Kimbo Slice: Everybody needs critics. Everybody needs critics. Without those type of people, people like us wouldn't exist. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. I'm cool with that. I need some more. I wouldn't mind more people critiquing me.

--

Sam Caplan

Lead Writer/Editor - ProElite.com

SamCaplan.ProElite.com

Publicado: Vie Oct 12, 2007 11:31 pm

Si esto es verdad yo apuesto por Kimbo al 80%, aunque quien sabe...

Publicado: Sab Oct 13, 2007 12:20 am

Thompson es medio burrin para pelear, derrepente pierde. Hay que esperar el combate

Publicado: Sab Oct 13, 2007 12:46 am

Yo pensaba que le iba a tocar vs Baroni pero Thompson esta bien los dos muy fuertes y musculados XD.

Publicado: Sab Oct 13, 2007 12:53 am

naaa... yo kiero ke a kimbo le pongan un buen peleador... de nivel... pues para ver como se desempeña... es ke tompson no es tan bueno... igual hasta aora seria su segundo combate pro... esperemos a ver a ke avanse el tiempo a ver ke sorpresas nos da "fucking kimbo"