My problem with Gina is that we are not holding her accountable for what was a terrible performance.

It was disrespectful to the fans and the other female fighters that she represents for her to show up the way that she did. Not only was she overweight, but she admitted to undertraining for the fight, and that’s what pisses me off.

She’s a fighter first, in my opinion, and if she wants to be an actress or a gladiator, then she shouldn’t be fighting. I want to see fighters that love to fight, not fighters that show up fat, slow and weak, and then get the benefit of the doubt.

I hope she does show up and look good. She’s a great athlete and I’d like to see her perform up to her potential. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been doing that.

Honestly dude I love your articles and agree with most of your opinions, however, you’re wrong about Gina Carano not being a top fighter and I’ll tell you why. I too was disapointed when she didn’t make the cut, I think a fighter should respect their weight class if they are to fight in such. This is but one component of what makes a top fighter though. Regardless of the discipline or respect for the EliteXC or MMA in general, (and I think you know she has both) neither are facets of criteria that make a fighter on top. Gina Carano is a top fighter because she holds an impressive 12-1 muay thai record, and has gone undefeated in MMA enduring and dominating through 6 exciting fights. Personally fighting in muay thai myself I won’t even begin to breakdown the mechanics and powerful bravery she reflects in her stand up game, she is a viscious muay thai godess. Now given she has the raw talent to reach the media in both the Gladiators and EliteXC is nothing short of amazing considering that she is a baby in MMA, and her record remains unflawed. You insulted her gogoplata attempt, but I applauded this. She could be like the other less rounded stand up fighters and ride the guard until she could escape, but she took an offensive chance with her very limited ground game. And when does a gogoplata ever work anyway? 30%?I’ll remind you that two of her fights were won on the ground, one of which were against a bjj specialist. She is still a new figther and is far from reaching her prime. If anything you should respect her more for all the flattering and degrading review from the media she’s recieved and handling her buisness. I’m glad she fights in the 140 pound because there is a shortage of great female fighters in the heavier classes. And the fact that she was far from her conditioning peak makes her next bout that much more promising for Gina and intimidating for her unlucky opponent. She has been more than apologetic for her failure, and shown her respect for the sport, but people continue to ride her ass. But make no mistake about it Josh, Gina Carano IS the the top female fighter and for good reason. She is focused on her upcoming fight on Oct.4, and will fight with integrity. She will only continue to learn from her mistakes, despite anyone’s approval. Your convictions are disregarded, and “Conviction” will prove you otherwise.

I do agree with both you and Brandt about Kimbo though, because I want to see him get a whuppin and I think that Brett Rogers will probably have the honor of delivering it at the top of a card. I certainly hope he does, and the way that they were talking about it last night certainly makes me think that it coming soon.

The hype machine is on its way to the end of its run …

If Kimbo was coming up the regular way, being featured on a 1 minute slot on InsideMMA’s coverage of regional events instead of PrimeTime MMA, I would be much more supportive I think ….

What is interesting, however, is if people will actually be more drawn to watching Kimbo now that they know he has a weakness. I’ve been a Yankees fan my whole life (I know I know) and although I’m not a wacky diehard, I still like to watch the Red Sox lose.

Whoever the fight journal rep on here is, I have to say that I think you’re right that they are trying to make money, but the fact is, they don’t let people put lead paint in toys because it’s pretty and we shouldn’t be putting up with bullshit in our MMA just because it gets these guys attention.

I’m aware that they’ll continue to do it, but I put the protest out there so that when Kimbo does get killed I can say “I told you that this guy was a one trick pony.” You’re entitled to do the same thing (as is every serious MMA writer, who has been saying the exact same thing).

My problem with your comment is that while you acknowledge everything that was wrong with the event, you defend it because it made money.

It made money.

It was a disgusting event.

Your point (that first one) is valid, it doesn’t make the second one any less valid.

As for your defense of Kimbo, it’s really hard for someone like yourself, who clearly knows something about the sport, because you know that he’s a bad fighter. Once you admit that he’s a bad fighter, the argument is done.

He makes money.

He sucks.

Again, your argument is correct, it doesn’t make that second point, my point, any less valid.

Honestly, I hope they throw Kimbo in the cage with Bigfoot so that big Silva can have the honor of breaking his face through that ridiculous beard.

As for your issue with Kimbo’s level of ability, I think what I said in the previous paragraph bears repeating – this was only his third MMA fight. Of course he’s a mediocre fighter. I think he’s been training for almost 2 years now. Although he entered MMA with some ability, you have to admit that he has put in the work and is a decent fighter for being so new to the game. The fact that he will be given an opponent who is only slightly better than his last and not called out by the fighters in the top of his division pains you? I thought the general idea was to have each opponent you face be a little better than your last. If you try to make a giant leap that early in a fighter’s career you end up with a situation like Houston Alexander vs. Thiago Silva. Considering all of this, I don’t see why any legitimate top-level fighter would call out Kimbo. If any of those fighters lost to Kimbo, their careers would be derailed because they lost to such an inexperienced fighter. If you beat Kimbo, on the other hand, their career would not exactly be sent into warp speed because they has basically beaten a virtual amateur.

I know exactly what you’re think now – Why would any legitimate promotion make such an inexperienced fighter the main event attraction? As I’m sure you know – because the promotion’s number one goal is to make money and that means selling tickets/giving the fans what they want to see. Like it or not, Kimbo is a fighter that the fans want to watch. An example that comes to mind could be the UFC’s treatment of Chuck Liddell. Contrary to all outward appearances, Liddell isn’t the LHW champion anymore. However, the fans love him so he remains the face of the UFC.

As I said in my comments to Brandt’s post, it’s important to keep in mind that EliteXC is the face of primetime MMA because of the UFC. Would the UFC have done a MUCH better job? You bet they would have. And that is why almost every major network was beating down their door to ink a deal. But the UFC/Dana refused to work with anyone and they had to go elsewhere. Sort of makes you wish Dana wasn’t such a tyrant.