Sherdog’s Guide to ‘The Ultimate Fighter’
Scott Holmes Oct 1, 2009
“I want the big, black buck.”
Those were Rashad Evans’ final words last week as he chose Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson to face former IFL champ Roy Nelson on this week’s episode of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Of course, that made this week one of the most anticipated episodes in the history of the series. So, what would Slice’s words be as he faced his first foray into the Octagon?
This week’s curtain rises on Slice reflecting on himself as he
speaks to fellow teammate Abe Wagner.
In a moment of clarity, Slice waxes philosophical on his
relationship with God and speaks of his Slice alter ego and how
long he will last.
“Whenever I decide to shave the beard, I’ll put Kimbo to rest. But will Kimbo ever be at rest?” he asks himself aloud.
“Sometimes you realize the true you is the enemy,” he shares.
For all the scary hype that surrounds Slice, he’s typically more subdued than one might think -- a little more Joel Osteen than Junkyard Dog.
The remaining fighters sit around the house wondering what the ramifications of the Slice-Nelson matchup will be. They speculate what the pay-per-view payday might have been or whether it is better that these two might get more respect by fighting on “TUF” essentially for free.
Coach Evans and his staff are still trying to figure “Big Country” Nelson out. They know he’s experienced and very skilled, but note that Nelson’s trust must be won over first to break his independent streak. Evans says he thinks he’s accomplished that.
Evans claims to have picked Nelson because he doesn’t think he’ll be rattled by Slice’s mystique, while Nelson does seem to be warming to his coaches.
Evans’ New Mexico teammate Keith Jardine rolls into the training center to assist his friend for a few days, but his mere presence sets off another heated jawing session between Evans and rival coach Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
“I want to keep my belt longer,” Jackson mocks at Evans, claiming those were the words Evans had for UFC President Dana White when Evans was offered the bout with Rampage a few months ago.
Jackson also turns his attention to Team Evans fighter James McSweeney, who steps up to defend his coach. Evans has to separate the pair.
Rampage later tells the audience that he’s trained in England and still can’t understand McSweeney’s thick accent.
“Take Rashad’s nuts out of your mouth, then talk to me,” Jackson quips to the camera.
Jackson also loves to point out the size of Nelson’s ample belly whenever possible.
“I wonder if his feet get wet when he’s in the shower. I wonder if he’s seen his little friend in years,” he deadpans.
Slice and Nelson are subjected to advice from all angles as they prepare. The only training issue of note comes from Rampage’s session with Slice, when he points out his disdain for an escape technique Slice is being taught from bottom position that he feels will have little effect if Nelson gets mount.
Kevin "Kimbo Slice"
Ferguson
Meanwhile, as Team Rampage prepares for battle, Marcus
Jones bristles when Rampage suggests he might not be fighting
next. Rampage tells the former NFLer that he’s injured and should
recover before stepping into the cage. Jones composed himself and
apologizes to his coach for his outburst. Off-sides, Jackson says
Jones is a little sensitive.
“They call me ‘Big Baby’,” admits Jones later.
In fact, Jones reveals his fondness for Dungeons and Dragons, comic books and flowers.
“I’m a passionate gardener,” he tells Mike Wessel, referring to his foliage as his “babies.”
Arriving at fight time, White and others chime in on the competitors.
“Roy Nelson looks like he just left every buffet in Vegas, but the kid is a well-rounded fighter and he’s a tough guy,” says White.
For those that don’t know, Nelson’s bulbous appearance is misleading. With a healthy pro record and a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he’s the odds-on favorite to win this season.
“Roy’s got phenomenal balance as big and rotund as he is,” adds Matt Mitrione.
In the other camp, Slice’s teammates are starting to believe in him.
“I can assure you Roy has his hands full,” says Wes Shivers.
On fight day, Rampage attempts solidarity with his pupil when he unveils his new Slice-inspired haircut, complete with bald top and the trademark Slice wraparound. Think Larry David meets Mr. T, or maybe Larry from “The Three Stooges.” Either way, it’s hilarious and gets a smile from Slice.
While it’s natural for Evans to want to pit one of his most experienced guys against one of Rampage’s most inexperienced, the difference in physiques is striking. Nelson is 260 pounds of wet bread, while Slice is a much more sculpted specimen at 230 pounds.
Skill-wise, there’s no bigger contrast in contestants on this show than the one Slice and Nelson present.
When the fight begins, that becomes more and more evident. The pair start tentatively, as Nelson occasionally measures with his jab, while Slice circles.
Eventually, Slice pressure Nelson to the fence, but Nelson work underhooks and trips Slice for a takedown, immediately passing to full mount. Nelson moves to side control and traps Slice’s arm with his leg to impede his defense. Slice nearly climbs the fence with his feet to escape before he’s pushed back into line again. Nelson enjoys a strong finish punching at Slice’s head until the first-round bell sounds.
Kimbo tries to turn it around in the second round, connecting with both a left and right that snaps Nelson’s head back. Nelson wades in to close the distance and Slice uncorks a right uppercut. As Nelson pushes him backwards, Slice tries a knee, which allows Nelson to easily shove him onto his back.
Nelson settles in side control, working one of Slice’s arms for a keylock before reverting back to his initial strategy. Nelson traps both of Slice’s arms in a crucifix configuration and Slice has nowhere to go. Nelson continues to punch away at Slice’s head until referee Herb Dean has no choice but to call it off midway through the second round.
White isn’t all that impressed with Nelson’s performance, claiming that he “did just enough” to win. White is also quick to point out that the show is the land of second chances and that we haven’t seen the last of the bearded attraction. As if we didn’t know.
More » Rossen's Thoughts on Slice's Loss
Those were Rashad Evans’ final words last week as he chose Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson to face former IFL champ Roy Nelson on this week’s episode of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Of course, that made this week one of the most anticipated episodes in the history of the series. So, what would Slice’s words be as he faced his first foray into the Octagon?
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“Whenever I decide to shave the beard, I’ll put Kimbo to rest. But will Kimbo ever be at rest?” he asks himself aloud.
Slice’s reflections continue during his one-on-one interview. He
explains that he’s often found himself treating the world as his
enemy. Then he explains that over time he’s found out that the
enemy was really his “inner me.”
“Sometimes you realize the true you is the enemy,” he shares.
For all the scary hype that surrounds Slice, he’s typically more subdued than one might think -- a little more Joel Osteen than Junkyard Dog.
The remaining fighters sit around the house wondering what the ramifications of the Slice-Nelson matchup will be. They speculate what the pay-per-view payday might have been or whether it is better that these two might get more respect by fighting on “TUF” essentially for free.
Coach Evans and his staff are still trying to figure “Big Country” Nelson out. They know he’s experienced and very skilled, but note that Nelson’s trust must be won over first to break his independent streak. Evans says he thinks he’s accomplished that.
Evans claims to have picked Nelson because he doesn’t think he’ll be rattled by Slice’s mystique, while Nelson does seem to be warming to his coaches.
Evans’ New Mexico teammate Keith Jardine rolls into the training center to assist his friend for a few days, but his mere presence sets off another heated jawing session between Evans and rival coach Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
“I want to keep my belt longer,” Jackson mocks at Evans, claiming those were the words Evans had for UFC President Dana White when Evans was offered the bout with Rampage a few months ago.
Jackson also turns his attention to Team Evans fighter James McSweeney, who steps up to defend his coach. Evans has to separate the pair.
Rampage later tells the audience that he’s trained in England and still can’t understand McSweeney’s thick accent.
“Take Rashad’s nuts out of your mouth, then talk to me,” Jackson quips to the camera.
Jackson also loves to point out the size of Nelson’s ample belly whenever possible.
“I wonder if his feet get wet when he’s in the shower. I wonder if he’s seen his little friend in years,” he deadpans.
Slice and Nelson are subjected to advice from all angles as they prepare. The only training issue of note comes from Rampage’s session with Slice, when he points out his disdain for an escape technique Slice is being taught from bottom position that he feels will have little effect if Nelson gets mount.
Jeff
Sherwood/Sherdog.com
“They call me ‘Big Baby’,” admits Jones later.
In fact, Jones reveals his fondness for Dungeons and Dragons, comic books and flowers.
“I’m a passionate gardener,” he tells Mike Wessel, referring to his foliage as his “babies.”
Arriving at fight time, White and others chime in on the competitors.
“Roy Nelson looks like he just left every buffet in Vegas, but the kid is a well-rounded fighter and he’s a tough guy,” says White.
For those that don’t know, Nelson’s bulbous appearance is misleading. With a healthy pro record and a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he’s the odds-on favorite to win this season.
“Roy’s got phenomenal balance as big and rotund as he is,” adds Matt Mitrione.
In the other camp, Slice’s teammates are starting to believe in him.
“I can assure you Roy has his hands full,” says Wes Shivers.
On fight day, Rampage attempts solidarity with his pupil when he unveils his new Slice-inspired haircut, complete with bald top and the trademark Slice wraparound. Think Larry David meets Mr. T, or maybe Larry from “The Three Stooges.” Either way, it’s hilarious and gets a smile from Slice.
While it’s natural for Evans to want to pit one of his most experienced guys against one of Rampage’s most inexperienced, the difference in physiques is striking. Nelson is 260 pounds of wet bread, while Slice is a much more sculpted specimen at 230 pounds.
Skill-wise, there’s no bigger contrast in contestants on this show than the one Slice and Nelson present.
When the fight begins, that becomes more and more evident. The pair start tentatively, as Nelson occasionally measures with his jab, while Slice circles.
Eventually, Slice pressure Nelson to the fence, but Nelson work underhooks and trips Slice for a takedown, immediately passing to full mount. Nelson moves to side control and traps Slice’s arm with his leg to impede his defense. Slice nearly climbs the fence with his feet to escape before he’s pushed back into line again. Nelson enjoys a strong finish punching at Slice’s head until the first-round bell sounds.
Kimbo tries to turn it around in the second round, connecting with both a left and right that snaps Nelson’s head back. Nelson wades in to close the distance and Slice uncorks a right uppercut. As Nelson pushes him backwards, Slice tries a knee, which allows Nelson to easily shove him onto his back.
Nelson settles in side control, working one of Slice’s arms for a keylock before reverting back to his initial strategy. Nelson traps both of Slice’s arms in a crucifix configuration and Slice has nowhere to go. Nelson continues to punch away at Slice’s head until referee Herb Dean has no choice but to call it off midway through the second round.
White isn’t all that impressed with Nelson’s performance, claiming that he “did just enough” to win. White is also quick to point out that the show is the land of second chances and that we haven’t seen the last of the bearded attraction. As if we didn’t know.
More » Rossen's Thoughts on Slice's Loss
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