Kimbo is perfect for TUF!

By Curtis Clontz on Jun 29, 2009

kimbo If I was to tell you that Kevin Ferguson is the most important contestant in the history of TUF, would you agree? I am here to tell you that he very well could be. TUF 10 is going to be the most anticipated season in the history of the show. Not because of fighters such as Roy Nelson, Justin Wren, and Marcus Jones, but because of one man that many consider to be a joke. Kimbo Slice is that man, and he is the most important participant in the history of TUF!

Slow your roll, let me explain. Read the words carefully. I did not say he is the best, has the most up side, or that he is even a good MMA fighter. What I did say is that he is the most important.

Have you seen the Kimbo Slice TUF 10 commercial (if not its at the bottom)? I call it the Kimbo Slice commercial because he is pretty much the only contestant in it. That is nothing more than a precursor to next seasons show. They could probobly call it TUF: The Kimbo Slice Show.

Kimbo Slice is not on the same level of any of the current UFC heavys. He does not have a ground game, and has never beat what many would call a formidable opponant. However, Slice does have his popularity and hype. No one in TUF history has ever had this type of following, popularity, and entourage.

Many of the hard core MMA media types think that Kimbo’s hype is undesereved, but think about this… His incredible drawing power led to over 2.4 millions viewers in the last 30 minutes of his fight against James Thompson. In his last fight for Elite XC and first MMA loss, he helped draw over 4.3 million dollars. No one in TUF history can say that…

What does all of this mean?

This all adds up to Kimbo being the most important contestant ever on TUF. He alone has helped guys out side of the UFC get over a billion viewers.

The UFC’s reality show has been on a decline in recent years. You are constantly hearing the echoes of people hating on the show, as it continuous to disapoint. It even got bad enough for the UFC to lean on a phycho acting Junie Browning to draw viewers. Some even considered this to be the worst season ever, and the begginning of the end of TUF.

Fast forward a bit, TUF 9 was ok. The UFC was lucky enough to have the Finale show saved by 2 of the best fights of the year.

TUF 10 is one of size. Kimbo is the smallest of the contestants but only in matters of size. He is the most popular fighter that will be in the house. Kimbo is a phenomenon, and internet sensation that has tons of prove and is in a lose lose situation.

Win or lose Kimbo Slice will make TUF a MUST watch the show. He will not only make people want to tune it, but will take TUF back to a can not miss weekly event.

From both sides of the fence, the UFC will use Kimbo to tune in. Odds are he will be “tactically” used throughout the show. Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t fight until late in the first round, and is around the house for some time. It will also not be a shocker if he is placed on the Ultimate Finale so that the UFC can use his fame at least one more time.

Kimbo is not a favorite to win season 10. He isn’t even considered to be one of the top ten fighters in the house, but he is incredibly important to the success of the next season. He may not win, but he is without a shadow of a doubt the most important fighter ever for The Ultimate Fighter.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idkn1Pn_ezQ[/youtube]

Filed Under: MMA

Tags: Kevin Ferguson • Kimbo Slice • TUF • TUF 10

About the Author: Curtis works as an associate editor for MMA Opinion. He is the old man of the bunch at 28. Like many of our viewers he is a U.S. Military vet. He has spent almost 9 years in the U.S. Navy. The Aviation Rescue Swimmer spends his time engulfed in the world of MMA. He has written for over 9 different websites and online magazines in all. He helps out with ESPN Radio 1310’s The Fight Zone on a regular basis. Curtis is a sports enthusiast and loves Duke basketball.