EliteXC 'Heat' Breakdown

Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson vs. Ken Shamrock

Ferguson Scouting Report

Ht/Wt: 6’2/235 lbs.
Age: 34
Hometown: Nassau, Bahamas
Fighting out of: Miami, Fla.
Record: 3-0

The stakes: Every fight Ferguson takes is a must-win affair, as his street-fighting superstar persona depends upon him removing opponents from the land of consciousness. With Slice’s credibility already crumbling after a deflating performance against James Thompson in May, nothing less than a total dismantling of Shamrock will rebuild the reputation of EliteXC’s cash cow.

Why he’ll win: At this point, Shamrock’s ill equipped to do much of anything in MMA. Given Shamrock’s shopworn wrestling, Slice will have his fair share of opportunities to put fist to face while avoiding the glaring deficiencies in his wrestling and submission game. Also of note is Slice’s size advantage over Shamrock, who inexplicably insists on finishing his career as a Lilliputian heavyweight.

Shamrock Scouting Report

Ht/Wt: 6’1/235 lbs.
Age: 44
Hometown: Macon, Ga.
Fighting out of: Reno, Nev.
Record: 26-13-2

The stakes: Already written off in the minds of most, Shamrock finds himself at the end of his career facing what is likely his last chance at reclaiming a shred of the respectability he once enjoyed. A loss would erode whatever goodwill remains for the fighter known as “The World’s Most Dangerous Man.”

Why he’ll win: If nothing else, Shamrock still knows how to get mileage out of his arsenal of leg locks. Given Slice’s obvious disinclination for grappling, all Shamrock needs is a small window in which to ply his trade. Entering a fight knowing your opponent can’t keep up with you on the ground is a powerful mental advantage, and with Shamrock’s future prospects looking dim, his dire situation may be what finally gets him to ditch the brawler’s mentality that derailed his career.


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The bottom line: This boils down to the fact that every MMA fight starts standing. It’s not exactly a shocking revelation, but Shamrock’s own mediocre wrestling and perplexing desire to engage in self-destructive slugfests are an ironclad guarantee he will be the ready-made knockout victim on which EliteXC has banked.