posted October 2, 2008 at 17:19 EST in UFC / MMA Free Picks
Bet On MMA - Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock
by Robby Maddux
There's no disputing Kevin Ferguson, known as Kimbo Slice around the MMA betting world, is one bad dude seemingly to have inherited beastly wild animal genes that provide natural instincts to severely injure and destroy when throwing down. But when Slice climbs into the cage to face Ken Shamrock at Elite XC’s event on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida, there's a decent chance the burley beast may get tamed and caged by submission, handing him the first loss in his young career.
It's an interesting matchup if you bet on MMA competition, featuring Slice who we all know by now earned recognition by destroying seven of eight men he faced in bare-knuckle backyard brawls shown on YouTube before turning professional where he's yet to be beat, though, challenged once by a fighter named James Thompson. With the exception of Thompson, his other two pro bouts came against a no body and a washed up former UFC barroom brawler, as both were looking to earn a payday with hopes of exiting the cage alive to spend it.
Dubbed "The King of the Web Brawlers" by Rolling Stone Magazine, Slice made his sanctioned MMA debut against former WBO Heavyweight champion boxer Ray Mercer on June 23, 2007. It was an exhibition event and all pro rules of MMA combat applied in a traditional cage, therefore, didn't count towards his MMA record. Slice defeated Mercer with a guillotine choke at 1:12 into the first round. The win didn't go in the books as a victory but captured the attention of MMA betting fans around the world, and the submission victory silenced critics that claimed Slice was a one-dimensional fighter that could only stand and bang.
Following his exhibition fight against Mercer, Slice entered the cage on November 10, 2007 for his EliteXC debut and first official professional fight against Bo Cantrell. Sliced defeated him in just 19 seconds into the first round by submission due to strikes. Cantrell falls in the before mentioned category as the no body, looking for a paycheck which was clearly obvious.
On February 16, 2008, Slice punished one time UFC sensation Tank Abbott, winning by way of knockout 43 seconds into the first round due to vicious bombs delivered with very bad intent. Tank belongs in the before mentioned category as washed up barroom brawler, looking for a paycheck but one in which he actually had intend of earning, unlike Cantrell who tapped like a bitch.
Tank knew he was a beaten man entering the cage, but to his credit, he was swinging for the fences and twice got back to his feet after getting beat down by Slice. Either of the knockdowns endured by Tank during the bout would of resulted in a 911 call for any lesser man. He took his ass beating without tapping until the fight was halted by the referee in charge.
On May 31, 2008, Slice did battle with James Thompson in his third and most recent bout which proved to be the toughest of his young pro career. Thompson showed the online MMA betting community he was a legitimate contender as the heavy underdog by repeatedly taking down Slice and grounding and pounding him affectively while earning well deserved points during the first two rounds.
In the opening seconds of the third round, however, Slice landed a bomb to the left side of Thompson's head, which ruptured Thompson's cauliflower ear. This was followed by three unanswered punches to a standing Thompson, which led to an arguably premature referee stoppage and a controversial win for Slice. After the fight, judge's cards revealed all three had Thompson winning the first two rounds. This bout showed cage fighting fans that Slice is vulnerable when on the ground and much less dangerous.
Now, the BetUS MMA odds betting favored Slice at -350 will enter the cage on Saturday, Oct. 4 against a one time mega star Shamrock known as The World's Most Dangerous Man, who played a major role in making UFC the world's MMA top-series. Shamrock competed in UFC 1 and in 1995 won the UFC Superfight title. He's held three additional UFC championships since his first, was a PRIDE fighting sensation icon and living legend in Japan, too.
But at the age of 44, Shamrock hasn't claimed victory in over four years, having lost five consecutive fights all by first-round knockouts. But don't count Shamrock out as the underdog at +250. Despite recent struggles, Shamrock will be Slice's most dangerous opponent to date, because the former UFC champion is the purest MMA technician and most overall well-rounded fighter with endless submission skills he'll have faced.
Expect Shamrock to go for an early shoot to take the fight to the ground, because the last thing he wants to do is stand toe-to-toe and bang with Slice. If Shamrock successfully gets an early takedown, while avoiding any bombs before the fight reaches the mat and can wear Slice down, there's a legit shot The World's Most Dangerous Man can land a victorious submission hold. But first, Shamrock must take the action to the ground before getting caught by Slice, who's unbeatable when standing and trading bombs. Shamrock's experience won't allow him to keep the fight standing, providing Slice the opportunity to land a fight-ending punch.
In Slice's last fight, Thompson proved the one time Miami bare-knuckle brawler is beatable on the ground. Rest assure, Shamrock has studied the Slice-Thompson fight endlessly, studying Slice's weaknesses once he's on the mat. This fight could easily end with Shamrock pulling the upset via submission late in the fight. And, add in his solid betting value and The World's Most Dangerous Man becomes a wise selection.
MMA Free Picks: Ken Shamrock +250
Prior to the main event, the Elite XC’s under card features a female brawl between unbeaten at 6-0 and heavily favored Gina Carano (-600), who is arguably MMA’s most popular lady fighter in the world, against Kelly Kobold in what's being dubbed the biggest marquee women’s fight in history and could wind up being the best fight of the night.
Attempting to hand Carano her first defeat will be the hefty underdog Kobold at +450, despite owning a stellar record of 16-2-1 in her career. She hasn't fought in nearly a year since losing a decision last August to Julie Kedzie, which raises the question will the layoff help or hurt her? Six months before Kobold was beaten by Kedzie, Carano fought Kedzie and defeated her via unanimous decision in February 2007.
Also on the Elite XC’s event card is Jake Shields (21-4-1) vs. Paul Daley (17-6-2) and Murilo Rua (16-8-1) vs. Benji Radach (13-3-0). Be sure to visit BetUS MMA odds sections for all your money-making number.
