It was about a year ago that Kimbo Slice was getting a beat down on national television, and subsequently ruining any chance of success for Elite XC on CBS. Since then, he's been basically invisible....well up until now. In an attempt to get into the UFC, Kimbo is going on Spike TV's Ultimate Fighter, which begins taping tomorrow....

[Dana] White has called him a “joke,” a “bum” and “not a real fighter,” among other less than kind descriptions. He said that Slice would “get murdered if he fought in the UFC” and suggested that his lightweight champion, 155-pound B.J. Penn, would “annihilate” the 230-pound Slice.

The UFC president has repeatedly insisted he would not allow Slice to compete in the UFC unless he won his way onto the show by competing on “The Ultimate Fighter,” which beings taping Wednesday and is scheduled to air in September.

Slice has called White’s bluff and will appear on Season 10 of the highly rated Spike TV series, White has confirmed. Fighters live in the same house and train together, and then fight during the show in a bid to earn a UFC contract.

His appearance, along with that of former UFC light heavyweight champions Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans as coaches, should guarantee massive ratings.

“It should be interesting, given some of the things I’ve said about him,” White said.

As White iterated, I think the idea of him going on the show will be nothing more than "interesting". After watching Kimbo getting knocked out by Seth Petruzelli in about 10 seconds, it's pretty obvious he's going to get destroyed by stronger competition.

Y! Sports exclusive: Kimbo gets TUF (Yahoo)

I know that announcers like getting as much work in as possible, but Gus Johnson is taking it to a whole new level. On the heels of his foray into the world of MMA for CBS, GuJo has been hired by Showtime Boxing to work the cable network's monthly "Showtime Championship Boxing". Via John Ourand at SBD....

Showtime has hired Gus Johnson as the lead announcer on its "Showtime Championship Boxing" series. Johnson will continue to work as an announcer on CBS' college basketball and NFL games, as well as Big Ten Network basketball games. Johnson will work with Al Bernstein on the monthly series, and he will make his debut February 7 for the Vic Darchinyan-Jorge Arce fight. He replaces Steve Albert, who is staying with the series in a reduced role. Albert, who has announced boxing on Showtime since '87, will call bouts when Johnson is unavailable.

Gus Johnson is obviously a polarizing announcer, but as a fan of his, it's great to see he's finally getting the respect he deserves from other networks. Maybe the one he's on full time (*ahem* CBS!) will take notice and bump him up another spot for this year's Tourney and the 2009 NFL season.

Gus Johnson To Call Showtime's Boxing (Sports Business Daily - $)

Yeah I know that headline was a cheap shot, and I couldn't pass it up, but it couldn't be more true. Surprisingly, Elite XC is closing shop after just a few short months in the MMA game and they're not even messing around with another few events. They're done. Completely shut down. As in, they're officially out of business. Via SI....

Less than two years following the formation of ProElite, Inc., the group notified employees and fighters Monday it was shutting its doors effective immediately, multiple sources confirmed to SI.com.

ProElite was an entertainment and media company founded in partnership with Showtime Networks and spearheaded by the mixed martial arts promotional brand EliteXC.

Representatives for ProElite, EliteXC and Showtime did not return calls for comment.

Through its partnership with Showtime and later CBS, which in 2008 agreed to broadcast four live EliteXC events in primetime, EliteXC gained a tremendous amount of visibility. The company, however, hemorrhaged tens of millions of dollars during its 22 months in operation.

Well that was quick wasn't it? I guess that's what happens when you put all of your eggs in the basket of internet sensation, and I'm sure Dana White has already broken out the champagne. Good thing Gus Johnson shored up that Knicks radio deal because I don't know what he'd do with just one Sport to call.

ProElite, EliteXC out of business (SI)

Michael Wilbon cause quite a stir in the MMA community last week when he decided to say that the CBS Elite XC fight between Kimbo Slice and Seth Petruzelli was fixed and even compared the Sport of MMA to professional wrestling. Well David Scott, of Scott's Shots, followed up with Wilbon via email and actually got a response back from the PTI co-host.

After Wilbon had explained his feeling on the Sport and about the fight itself, in the first email, there was a second exchange between the two. Here's what went down...

SHOTS REPLY:

Thanks Mike. Appreciate the response.

I’m far from an MMA expert - or even a fan - but the criticism I’m reading of your comments seems to stem from A) you’re not well-informed about the sport (for instance, the difference between EliteXC and UFC) and B) you’re dismissing the fact that 4.3 million watched the fight - a very respectable number and far better then hockey or soccer for instance. (That number is what MLB is averaging on TBS for the first round of playoffs, in fact).

I guess I’m asking if you would be so dismissive and condescending to the NHL? Or MLS? Or Arena Football?

Can you see where MMA fans and supporters would be a bit outraged and perturbed? Can you also comment on whether or not you would use such harsh terms with a “mainstream” sport?

Have you received a lot of correspondence re: this subject? Seems like the MMA fans are pretty protective of their sport. . .

Thanks again for your time.

Wilbon Response #2

Hi David…Believe me, I expected the criticism. But while I appear on TV 5 days a week I’m a columnist. Tough stances are what we do. I don’t need to be well versed in MMA to watch and listen and make an observation. And, I don’t care if 20 million people watch. Millions watch professional wrestling but that doesn’t mean we don’t question the outcome. The number of people watching makes it popular and well received, but doesn’t mean the event is above question. I’m not paid by MMA. I don’t care how many people watch. Why is my making the same observation about boxing, which I do know tons about and have covered and criticized, ignored in this discussion? And ANYBODY who watches “PTI” knows I have ripped (as well as praised) every single sport out there, from the NFL to MLS to NBA to the NHL to Arena Football, etc. I’ve ripped apart folks whose events get a whole lot more than 4.3 million people watching. So while there are plenty of valid criticisms of my opinions, pulling punches on various sports ain’t one of them. Whoever makes that criticism either isn’t familiar with my work or has an agenda. It’s bull*&^@ and can be completely refuted by simply pulling five tapes of “PTI” (or five of my columns) from the last 7 years. Anyway, in terms of the amount of criticism that might be coming my way, that seems to be something that people who do TV and critique TV really care about. I could care less. I’ve written a column for 18 years. I’m sure you know this ain’t the first reaction to something I’ve written. It’s their right and I encourage the give and take. But if angry readers were going to move a columnist off his mark he and his work wouldn’t be worth a damn. So if the MMA folks are upset they’ll let me know. It won’t be the first dust-up, nor the last. I think it’s a fascinating study, though, the way people apparently think now that their criticism can back people down who criticize something they love. Sorry. Not here. I don’t mind in the least the give and take with fans of whatever sport it is voicing their opinion…Conversation has to be a two-way street… In Atlanta people get upset because I call Atlanta the worst sports city in America. They write. Some scream. A very few agree. I build my argument, make my case and people accept or reject it…But it’s not like I’m going to run and hide because people send some angry e-mail…Are people in media that gutless now. If people don’t think 28 years of covering sports gives me some knowledge and insight they’ll stop watching/listening/reading. I guess we’ll see what happens over the next few days when I return to the show Monday…But thanks for engaging in the discussion. Sorry to ramble. Don’t hesitate to correspond in any case…Take care. MW

Okay....so did you make it all the way through that? Good. First of all, it's really interesting that Wilbon is taking the time to talk to websites/blogs, like Scott's Shots, now. It shows a better understanding of the new medium on his part and it's better for everyone interested in a story like this. Second, he's overall point is right. I don't think it was fixed myself, but there's no way the Sport shouldn't be without scrutiny. Just like this site, or any other blog, Wilbon is simply giving an opinion in the end. I understand the passion of MMA fans, but just because someone disagrees with you, doesn't necessarily mean that they are wrong. Remember....anything is possible.

Wilbon Expands on MMA/Kimbo Slice Comments (Scott's Shots)
ESPN's Michael Wilbon Says Kimbo Slice- Seth Petruzelli Fight Was Fixed (Fanhouse)

I still love Gus, but this whole Elite XC thing just ain't working for CBS. The ratings were about the same for Kimbo's second trip into the ring for the network, but now that their star has a loss under his belt (and to a back up fighter), it's going to just go downhill from here.

Here's a clip of the TKO of Slice by Seth Petruzelli and just listen to Gus lose his mind on the call. The fight gets underway at the 4:55 mark...

"The most incredible victory in the history of mixed martial arts!!!!"- Gus Johnson

Hahahaha. Whoa there buddy. Now I know I'm not the best person to be talking about MMA upsets, but I'm guessing that doesn't even come close to ranking near the top. I like the character of Kimbo Slice as much as the next person, but they really need to stop pretending like he's Zeus, or they're going to be out of the MMA business quicker than they got in.

Kimbo Slice Is Officially A Fraud (With Leather)

(Thanks to WJ for the clip)

I'm still not quite sure what the "Dive of Death" actually is, or why John Saunders was hosting the David Blaine special, but I was still certainly intrigued by the Kimbo Slice "gut shot" segment. Here it is in its entirety and I'll see you on the other side for some thoughts....

I don't know why but it still seems like there's some sort of trick involved. It just really looks like there isn't quite full contact on each punch, and while I'd really love to see someone pull this off, there's no way you're standing after a hit like that. I could be wrong though, and if I am....let me know so in the comments.

I hadn't heard anything on this until now, but apparently magician David Blaine is letting Kimbo Slice punch him in the gut tonight as a part of his "Dive of Death" special on ABC tonight. From Fight Linker via Cage Potato....

Last week, David Blaine stopped by Bas Rutten’s gym here in Southern California, to shoot a piece for his Dive of Death special, airing Wednesday night on ABC. The “trick” is going to be Kimbo Slice punching David Blaine in the stomach and is an homage to Houdini, whom David says is his hero (duh). I say “trick” because I don’t know what kind of trick there is to getting punched in the abdomen besides flexing and hoping for the best. Blaine explains before taping that Houdini died from injuries sustained taking punches to the stomach. [Ed. note: Bullshit.]

The rather physically fit Blaine claims he chose Kimbo because the fighter is one of the few people he fears. From my observation, it does not seem as if the magician is intimidated in conversation. But faced with Kimbo’s clenched fist before him, Blaine does look visibly nervous. He asks his audience of gym employees and Kimbo’s entourage, “Is this stupid?” Everyone grinned widely back.

I won’t spoil the fun but there’s no illusion involved to this bit. David Blaine simply stands in the middle of the cage, lifts up his shirt to prove he’s not hiding any protective material, and asks Kimbo to punch him. And after? Kimbo is wowed by David Blaine’s resistance to his gut shot.

I personally would love to see Blaine get punched in the dome (somewhat kidding), because I can't stand his ass, but I'll take a gut shot. Seriously though, I don't think you could pay me to take a punch from an MMAer. I mean, I'm up for offers, but it would take a heck of a lot of green. The special airs tonight at 9pm and I'll try to get video of the "stunt" up either later tonight or tomorrow morning.

Kimbo Slice to Gutpunch David Blaine on TV Tonight (Cage Potato)
Magician David Blaine Attempts Suicide (Fight Linker)

It's been awhile since CBS had one of their MMA shows. The next one scheduled for October 4th, and will feature the return of Kimbo Slice to the network, but there's now a bit of controversy. No....not that CBS wants to drop Elite XC for the UFC....that's old news. It's the fact that Gus Johnson might not be able to call the fight because of his NFL commitment to the network. Gasp!

Well MDS at Fanhouse talked to someone at CBS and the think they might have a solution. Just have him do both....

Johnson is a well respected broadcaster, and mixed martial arts fans were thrilled when he signed on to call the CBS EliteXC shows. But there's been some hand-wringing among MMA fans over whether Johnson would be able to call Kimbo's October 4 fight because Johnson also does NFL play-by-play, and it would make for tough scheduling to do an MMA show Saturday night and then a football game Sunday afternoon.

But Johnson might just give it a try. A source at CBS told me today that they're hoping Johnson will be able to do the EliteXC show (which is in Hollywood, Florida), get to the hotel for a few hours of sleep and and then get up to work the Chargers-Dolphins game in Miami at 1 p.m. the next day.

That would be a rough weekend for Johnson, but I hope he does it. His enthusiasm is a treat to hear, in any sport.

I know that Gus is a company man, and while it would be an awesome weekend for Sports fans if he pulled this off, but that's a lot of work with little to no sleep. Well come to think of it, with the schedule of games that CBS has him working on over the next few weeks, it probably wouldn't really matter if he sleepwalked through a game....

Week #2- Buffalo at Jacksonville
Week #3- Kansas City at Atlanta

Gus Johnson Could Be Busy: Kimbo Slice One Day, LaDainian Tomlinson the Next (Fanhouse)

I said I enjoyed the first installment of CBS' Elite XC, and I seemed to be in the minority, but this go around seemed to be much more of a success. All of the hardcore MMA fans and those in the know enjoyed the showing, but unfortunately not that many people were watching the show....

And there really still isn’t much to say except for this: EliteXC Saturday Night Fights without any buzz surrounding Kimbo Slice performed much worse without Kimbo than it did with him. CBS initial foray into MMA didn’t draw a slew of viewers but at least performed well in the 18-49 and 18-34 demos.

That airing back on May 31, 2008 scored 4.3 million viewers and a 1.9/6 among 18-49 year olds and since the Kimbo Slice bout for that airing aired past primetime (11p) the most viewed portion wasn’t included. But lacking any Kimbo anticipation, last night’s fights pulled a mere 2.62 million and a 1.0/3 from 9pm-11pm.

The numbers are certainly low, but given that it was a Saturday night and CBS beat ABC and NBC in the 18-49 male demographic, it's definitely not the end of the world. Slice is back on the program on October 4th.

No Kimbo Slice, CBS EliteXC Ratings Drop (TV By The Numbers)

There's another CBS Elite XC fight tomorrow and you know what that means? Gus Johnson is once again on the mic. The program got hammered by the MMA heads the first go around and in an interview with MMA Rated he addresses that as well as touching on some other topics....

The guy doesn't know everything about the Sport, but he sure does his homework. I still can't get into it, but I hope he catches on because he seems like the right guy for the program.

Rated Exclusive: Gus Johnson Interview (MMA Rated)

Whether you enjoyed CBS' first attempt at an MMA broadcast or not you can't argue with the numbers. The Elite XC fight that aired Saturday night on the network beat out the Stanley Cup Finals in most major markets and just about every other program on in the same time slot. Not all the numbers are in but Variety and the L.A. Times are reporting a windfall for the "Eye"...

Variety- According to preliminary Nielsen estimates that will be finalized Tuesday, CBS led the two-hour block from 9 to 11 p.m. in adults 18-49 (1.9 rating/6 share) -- a 36% improvement over what the network averaged with its crime programming on the night during the recently concluded 2007-08 season.

But it was in younger and male demos that the fights hit a bull's-eye: Among adults 18-34, the event's 1.9 rating more than doubled the Eye's season average (0.9), while in men 18-34, it more than tripled the net's average (2.6 vs. 0.7).

Times- The first mixed martial arts event shown in prime time on a major network was a big hit for KCBS-TV Channel 2.

The Saturday night tape-delayed Elite Extreme Combat event from Newark, N.J., came in with a local overnight rating of 4.7 and a 9 share. The rating peaked at 7.2 the final 15 minutes.

By comparison, a Stanley Cup final hockey game shown earlier in the evening on KNBC-TV Channel 4 averaged just a 1.3 local rating and a 3 share.

While this was an overwhelming success, the next broadcast is going to be the telling one for the network. They're not going to get Kimbo Slice for every broadcast, and with the hardcore MMA fans mostly displeased, they're going to have to come up with some other draws to get people coming back for Round 2.

CBS punches Saturday ratings (Variety)
Mixed martial arts show with Kimbo Slice scores big in Los Angeles (LA Times)

I wish I could tell you above anything else that I knew what I was talking about but I have no idea if these MMA fights were good, bad, or indifferent. I watched the whole CBS broadcast and I thought it was flat out awesome.

I'm obviously not the person to comment on Gus Johnson's foray into MMA but as a casual viewer I was hanging on every word. The guy just knows action and how to portray it to the viewers.

(More tomorrow, and Evil Gus Johnson knows your thoughts.)

CBS is really banking on Kimbo Slice for their first and subsequent bouts on the channel, and Bloody Elbow has a first look at two commercials with the fighter.....

You just gotta love the guy. Most MMAers think he's a fraud (he probably is), but to come from nothing and have a network do a CSI: Miami spoof with you is pretty special. Good stuff.

Kimbo Ads (Bloody Elbow)
CBS Walks a Tightrope as It Tries to Make Kimbo Slice a Star (Fanhouse)