What do you think about the Kimbo Slice-James Thompson fight?

Question

I'm from South Florida so of course I'm a huge Kimbo fan, but I think he definitely lucked out. The referee did a crappy job officiating the fight. First off, I hate to say this but Kimbo got dominated in that second round. The referee could have easily stopped the fight towards the end of that round when Thompson had him against the cage, but he didn't (thank God!!). Second, the referee stopped the fight when he shouldn't have. He should have just called time and had the doctor check out Thompson's ear to see if he could go on or not. Overall it was a pretty good fight. Kimbo showed some MMA skills, but definitely has work to do. One negative is that Kimbo didn't really have the killer instinct. He had Thompson stunned a few times and could have easily finished him but didn't. I really wanted to see Kimbo knock him out but whatever Kimbo's still a monster. Feedback? Comments on the fight?

Answer 1

I had never heard of Elite XC prior to a few nights ago when I saw the ad on CBS.

I only watched the last two fights last night and I wasn't impressed.

The fight being called when the guy got poked in the eye was complete horse sh*t.  The guy got poked in the eye, of course he couldn't see right away.  If you ever get poked in the eye that hard, all you see is brownish when the blood rushes to the area.  It might clear in a few minutes or it might not.  However, I think they should have given the guy his 5 minutes and evaluated him then (if he was still saying he couldn't see then, then stop it).

As far as Kimbo-Thompson.  If Thompson was a better fighter and started actually doing some decent ground and pound, it would have been over.  Kimbo was defenseless at one point.

I'm not convinced that the ref called it at the right time.  It is hard to know without hearing how Thompson reacted.  It kind of looked like he was quite loopy and maybe his balance was off after the hit.  I think a doctor's evaluation would have been warrented on that one personally.  

I was pretty disappointed in Kimbo to be honest.  IMHO, from the few fights I saw, Elite XC kind of reminds me of the XFL...staffed with cast aways from other leagues.  To be fair though, I'm waiting to see a full fight night before bashing it too much.

Answer 2

I just watched the fight again. First, Kimbo did NOT tap out in the guillotine choke. It was an emphatic thumbs up (as in 'i'm ok'), but the camera angle was such that a casual observer might think he was tapping. Second, the fight might have been stoppable in round two when Thompson had him pinned against the cage. But Kimbo was trying to defend with his right arm just sporadically enough that it was a judgment call. Kimbo was definitely saved by the bell there. Third, in round three the ref appeared to err on the side of caution in stopping the fight after Thompson absorbed four clean hammers to his head. With his ear already gone, who knows where that might have gone if Kimbo had been allowed to continue. That's assuming this fight was not fixed--which I can't answer. I think Kimbo's killer instict took a back seat to his poor conditioning about midway through round 2. As an MMA fight, it wasn't bad. But it definitely wasn't Main Event material. Kimbo needs lots more training and seasoning before he could be considered a solid MMA fighter. But, like Tyson used to be, he brings a spectacular presence to his fights that people will continue loving to watch.

Answer 3

Agree with m1k3, the ref called the fight at the right time.

Right off the bat, Kimbo and Thompson were trading back and forth. Kimbo would get a few shots, and take a few later. The ground game was similar: Kimbo almost caught Thompson a few times, but was close to getting choked out a couple times too. Still, Kimbo's training with Bas paid off tremendously, especially on the ground (did you see the scissors sweep). Who woulda though they'd see Kimbo doing Jiu-Jitsu?

Anyway, Kimbo deserved to win the fight. He caught Thompson with four BIG, unanswered blows and completely destroyed his 'alien life form' ear (sister was screaming, lol).

All in all, just a taste of what Kimbo can do. He's leaner, meaner, and better trained, but need to work on his grappling, sprawl, and conditioning. For all the Kimbo haters, that was his test, and he definitely aced the exam.

Answer 4

I disagree with the people who said the fight was called right, you need to be blind to see that.

Should of ended when Kimbo was getting his beat down on the fence he barely defended or even could.

The problem with the ear is simple, you don;t let him fight if it would be an issue in terms of stopping the fight if it would get opened. Which was very easy to see anyones mind that it would get opened at some point in the fight. Secondly maybe he was stunned, he was stunned in the first round there was no real diffences outside the ear.

Kimbo was going to lose and so the ref looked for a chance to give it to him. They find the chance and took it end of story.

Answer 5

i think the ref called the fight at the right time.  did you see thompson's ear flapping?  that thing would have been seriously damaged after another monster hit by kimbo.  i thought the fight was very entertaining overall.  kimbo is my hero!!

Answer 6

i feel that was c**p

thompson was dominating him

so his ear busted open

i have seen fights go on with more blood

Kimbo is Elite XC's money horse

okay Thompson was wide open

pause the fight, have the doctors look at it

you see him slap the ref at the end of the fight, i personally woulda knocked out the ref and went n talked to dana white after something like that

Answer 7

Kimbo falls to 2-1 in my opinion anyway Elite XC and Kimbo are finished win or not

Answer 8

I just watched it and have never heard of either fighters. I have a martial art background so I am familiar with the fights. Yes, I agree, I was waiting for the ref to stop it when he had kimbo up next to the fence. I think if it would have went the distance , it would have been a different winner. I think they need some new people making decisions there. Like the fight where he got poked in the eye. That was total B.S.!!!! I am glad both fighters were more mature than the doctors and refs. They both were ready for a rematch with each other. Good fighters, good sportsmanship. That is what is so hard about matches like these. It is hard for fighters to get in the killer mood and when it is over, they can congratulate each other and be concerned if they hurt them.  I think Thompson would have won that one. I think someone is looking to move kimbo up no matter what it takes. Both fighters need to work on conditioning. They were both relying on knockout punches for the first round.