Kimbo Slice & Elite XC Set for Prime Time

By Jim Barlieb

30/05/2008

Kimbo Slice & Elite XC Set for Prime Time

MMA Card Appearing on CBS, Saturday at 9pm est

Elite XC will kick off the first prime time mixed martial arts broadcast on CBS May 31st at 9pm.  The show will be headlined by former back yard brawler and current ESPN the magazine cover boy, Kimbo Slice.  Slice, (2-0), is still widely known for his brutal knockouts on Youtube, but is slowly gaining respect in the mma world under the tutelage of Bas Rutten.  Following his first round knockout of another heavy handed fan favorite, Tank Abbott, Slice appears to be ready for prime time.


On Saturday night Kimbo will be taking on Pride Fighting Championships veteran James “The Colossus” Thompson (14-8) who is known for quick fights-he’s only gone past the opening round five times.  Thompson boasts heavy hands but a suspect chin.  “The Colossus”  has fought some of the best MMA fighters in the world and will nonetheless be a step up in competition for Slice.  It might just present Elite XC with the perfect type of crowd pleasing fight for there showcase event on CBS. 


The rest of the card at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ should present some great fights as well.  Robbie Lawler (15-4) takes on Scott Smith (13-4).  Lawler has 12 knockouts among his 15 wins, which shows that he has ridiculous power in both hands and has a solid technical grasp on his feet.  Scott Smith has 11 knockouts and his story is very similar to Lawler’s in that he will want the fight to stay off the ground in attempt to test Lawler’s chin.  Phil Baroni (10-9) will take on Joey Villasenor (25-6) in another bout.  The New York Bad Ass, Phil Baroni, is a Pride and UFC veteran who hits hard, has solid technical skills, and has solid ground control.  Villasenor is a well rounded fighter that isn’t necessarily outstanding at any one area.  Other fights include Gina Carano (5-0) vs Kaitlin Young and Brett Rogers (6-0) vs Jon Murphy (4-2).  Carano is a great athlete, now seen on American Gladiators, while Rogers has never been out of the first round making quick work of all of his opponents. 
 
CBS-EliteXC: Saturday Night Fights
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Prudential Center in Newark, NJ
MAIN CARD:

Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson
Robbie Lawler vs. Scott Smith
Gina Carano vs. Kaitlin Young
Phil Baroni vs. Joey Villasenor
Brett Rogers vs. Jon Murphy

PRELIMINARY CARD:

Carlton Haselrig vs. Carlos Moreno
Chris Liguori vs. Jim Bova
Wilson Reis vs. Justin Robbins
Nick Serra vs. Matt Makowski
James "Binky" Jones vs. Calvin Kattar