KImbo Needs work says Fox
Date: 2008-11-01 17:05:56
Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/8198672...
Submitted By: Kimbo Fights
Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson lost some of his mythical luster Saturday, but he survived his first true test as a professional mixed martial artist. James Thompson gave the notorious YouTube brawler a run for his money, only to succumb to Ferguson's heavy hands early in round three of the featured bout at EliteXC "Primetime" at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Carried by CBS, the historic event served as MMA's debut on live network television. Ferguson was the centerpiece, and while he remained unbeaten, his latest effort exposed some glaring holes in his game. With fatigue setting in, Ferguson ripped his British adversary with a right hook that ruptured his right ear and sent blood spilling down Thompson's torso. He followed it with a vicious combination that wobbled Thompson and sent him back pedaling into the cage, where referee Dan Miragliotta brought the bout to an end. The glassy-eyed Thompson protested and pawed at Miragliotta in disgust at one point. Ferguson (3-0, 3-0 EXC) collapsed to the canvas in relief. "I've got a lot to learn and a long way to go," Ferguson said. "James was a very tough opponent. I didn't underestimate him, but I didn't know he was going to be that strong on the ground." After an even first round, Thompson (14-9, 0-2 EXC) appeared to gain control in the second, as he grounded Ferguson against the cage and dropped a series of short unanswered elbows until time expired. His inability to finish the street-fighter proved costly. Moments later, his night's work was over, as Ferguson delivered a right uppercut-left hook combination that finished the Pride Fighting Championships veteran. Another high-profile match ended even less conclusively. EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler retained his title following an accidental eye poke that left challenger Scott Smith unable to continue. Because the bout did not go the requisite three rounds for a decision, it was ruled a no contest. Fans showered the cage with chants of "Bulls**t." "I'm sorry we couldn't finish this," Lawler said. "We'll just have to run it back and do it again." Smith (13-4, 1-0 EXC) informed the cageside doctor that he could not see out of his right eye, according to New Jersey State Athletic Control Board representative Nick Lembo. The fight had proven competitive up until the stoppage, though Lawler (15-4, 1-0 EXC) had landed the more punishing blows, including a series of first-round liver kicks that nearly had Smith doubled over in pain. EliteXC Live Events president Gary Shaw indicated a rematch would be made immediately and that Smith and Lawler would both be awarded their win bonuses. His words, however, did little to ease the disappointment that resulted from an anti-climactic conclusion. "I don't like for a fight to end like this," Smith said. "I probably would have gotten knocked out, but I'd rather get knocked out than for it to end like this. I would have kept fighting until he killed me." Meanwhile, Gina Carano lived up to pre-fight billing a day after she failed to make weight for her bout with Kaitlin Young. Carano (6-0, 3-0 EXC) minimized a first-round takedown and seized control in the second, as she punished Young (4-2, 0-1 EXC) standing. The 26-year-old, who moonlights as "Crush" on the NBC series "American Gladiators," let her hands fly despite signs she was tiring. By the end of round two, Young's left eye had swollen to such an extent that the fight was stopped. "She's one of my toughest opponents," said Carano, who reportedly only trained for the match for three weeks. "I didn't get to put my heart into training. I was really unsure going into this fight. I've got to get back in the gym and get my butt in gear." In middleweight action, Joey Villasenor dominated fading veteran Phil Baroni, as he stopped the brash brawler on strikes in just 71 seconds. Baroni (10-10, 0-1 EXC) scored with an early takedown, as he caught a high kick from Villasenor and sent him to the canvas. From there, the bout grew more and more one-sided. Villasenor (26-6, 4-1 EXC) moved back to a standing position, stunned his foe with a short left hook and then caught Baroni in a standing guillotine choke. Though he escaped, Baroni was clearly winded, and when Villasenor approached again, he could not defend himself. The referee stepped in after Villasenor found the mark with a series of unanswered blows. "It was all about finding my range," Villasenor said. "That left hook was just there. I knew he was going to get out [of the choke], but I knew he was definitely going to be wheezing for air after that." Once a bright young star in the 185-pound division, Baroni has dropped three consecutive fights — all by TKO. Where the 32-year-old goes from here remains to be seen. Elsewhere, the mohawked Brett Rogers (7-0, 3-0 EXC) continued his climb up the heavyweight ladder, as he dispatched Jon Murphy (4-3, 0-1 EXC) in 1:01. The unbeaten Rogers, after some nice clinch work, clipped his opponent with a short right hook that dropped him where he stood. "I knew I was going to catch him," Rogers said. "It feels good to get in and out. I'm moving up, up and up the ladder." Former Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro Carlton Haselrig (2-0, 1-0 EXC), UFC veteran Chris Liguori (8-7, 1-0 EXC), Matt Makowski (3-0, 1-0 EXC) and Joe Sampieri (1-2, 1-0 EXC) all were victorious by TKO in preliminary action. Meanwhile, Wilson Reis (4-0, 1-0 EXC) and James "Binky" Jones (7-6, 1-0 EXC) each won by submission. Zach Makovsky (4-1, 1-0 EXC) rounded out the show by earning a unanimous decision against the American Top Team's Andres Soares (5-2, 0-1 EXC).
