Kevin Ferguson, better known as Kimbo Slice, has been in the fight world for some time now. Slice has garnered many viewers on the web for his famed street fights. He has also gained criticism for being strictly a street fighter who hasn't developed a big enough skill-set to compete in MMA, and definitely not the UFC.
Slice made his MMA debut with a series of decisive wins against low profile and "over the hill" opponents, before being knocked out seconds in by Seth Petruzelli, late replacement for MMA legend Ken Shamrock, after Shamrock backed out of the fight due to injury.
Against James Thompson he set the record for the most watched MMA fight in history, when it was broadcast nationally on CBS.
Spectators thought that it may have been the end of Slice's short-lived MMA career at the hands of Petruzelli. But they were wrong.
During his Elite-XC, days he was portrayed as an unbeatable opponent, getting praise and comparisons to the likes of Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. His invincibility dampened by the likes of Petruzelli's "upset," Kimbo went into oblivion for a short period of time.
He resurrected with a career defining move. He set out to prove the media false, and more importantly prove to himself that he could compete with the best.
He tried out for UFC's Ultimate Fighter 10. Exclusively for the Heavyweights. Kimbo's biggest doubter, Dana White, was then challenged, as he had been very vocal about Slice's career.
"What has this guy done to get 10 million views on You-Tube?" Dana White said. But White had a plan. Casting Kimbo, having an uncanny ability to garner so much press and support and also criticism, made for a good business move.
Kimbo's first episode on the show received the biggest audience on Spike TV, proving that Slice's drawing power had not decreased.
The previous seasons of the Ultimate Fighter averaged about two million viewers per episode. This past season averaged over 3.5 million, according to Spike TV. The episode featuring Kimbo's first fight against eventual season 10 winner Roy Nelson had an average of 5.3 million viewers, including 6.1 million that tuned in during fight time.
In the entire season, White took another approach with Slice. Instead of displaying him as an invincible foe who would be erased with one loss, White displayed a fighter that showed progress, a fighter who would train hard to be the best but knew he wasn't.
White succeeded.
Kimbo Slice has since been portrayed as a fighter with a dream—a dream to prove his place in the biggest MMA promotion today: the UFC.
He got his chance.
Houston Alexander was to be his opponent—a fighter who was an aggressive standing fighter, a fighter who would trade punches with the heavy handed Slice. It would make for a great fight and welcome Slice into the UFC with a win.
Alexander circled the octagon the entire first round, making it even harder for Slice to display his power and his seemingly best chance to compete. But hard work pays off.
Kimbo beat him on the ground. What was thought to be a weakness of his, became a strength through hard work and dedication.
He didn't lose any fans. In fact, he may have gained supporters.
Slice, having earned a couple hundred dollars for a fight in the streets, earned $25,000 for the bout with Alexander. And another fight in the UFC.
Solidifying his keep in the company were the Nielsen numbers. Spike TV reported to MMA Weekly that his fight was the most watched fight on the card.
The Nielsen totals, including the live telecast and all replays for the following seven days, raised the average number of viewers for the Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson versus Houston Alexander fight up from 5.2 million for the live telecast to 6 million total.
Even minus the replay views, the numbers were still strong enough to make his fight with Alexander the most watched MMA fight in 2009.
With his Elite-XC fights and his two fights with the UFC, Kimbo Slice's last four matches have been firmly placed in the top 10 watched MMA fights in history.
Bryant Maxwell can be reached at maxwritings@gmail.com
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