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[Sakara=Excitement]

Kimbo Slice vs. Houston Alexander set for The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale main card | MMAjunkie.com

The worst-kept secret in series history can finally be made official: "The Ultimate Fighter 10" cast member and former EliteXC headliner Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson (3-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) does, in fact, meet fellow slugger Houston Alexander (9-4 MMA, 2-3 UFC) at this weekend's live show finale.

MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) reported the likelihood of the long-rumored bout beginning in October.

While Spike TV continually teased the possibility of Ferguson re-entering the "TUF 10" 16-man tournament, he ultimately passed on a final opportunity to fight in the quarterfinals in order to nurse a knee injury.

The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale takes place this Saturday, Dec. 5, at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Ferguson vs. Alexander, which is an early favorite for Knockout of the Night and Fight of the Night honors, is set for the televised main card and takes place at a catch-weight of 215 pounds.

In tonight's season finale, UFC president Dana White flirted with the idea of replacing Matt Mitrione in a quarterfinal matchup. After Ferguson opted to skip the bout to tend to his arthritic knee, White chose to have Mitrione go ahead with the fight, thus ending Kimbo's "TUF" run.

Ferguson ultimately experienced mixed results on the show. The former bareknuckle brawler and YouTube sensation, once panned by UFC president Dana White and many fans, earned a lot of respect from TV viewers and castmates alike while appearing on the show. In fact, Ferguson passed on lucrative fight offers in outside organizations to compete on the UFC reality series. The decision earned Spike TV record ratings as fans tuned in to see the once-polarizing fighter.

His run, though, was a short one; Ferguson was matched up with former IFL champion Roy Nelson (the favorite to win the competition and ultimate finalist) in the first round of the tournament and suffered a second-round TKO loss after he was unable to escape the crucifix position.

In professional competition, Ferguson defeated Bo Cantrell, "Tank" Abbott and James Thompson via strikes before an upset 14-second loss to Seth Petruzelli in his most recent bout in October 2008. All four fights came in the now-defunct EliteXC promotion.

Alexander seeks his first UFC win since September 2007. After scoring devastating knockout victories of Alessio Sakara and Keith Jardine in his first two trips to the octagon, the Nebraska native suffered three consecutive UFC defeats. Alexander was allowed to take a fight outside of the UFC in September, and he earned a TKO win over Sherman Pendergarst under the Adrenaline MMA banner.

I still say Kimbo is one of the most OVER-HYPED people to ever step inside the cage (or ring). He isn't that good of a boxer considering that's what he's hyped up to be. I mean, have you ever watched those street fight videos on Youtube, fucking horrible. And then Sean Gannon....YES SEAN GANNON beat his ass and then Seth beat him as well! Hell he was almost finished by James Thompson.

[roaddawg]

Neither of the names you mentioned or any of his opponents to date has "out boxed" him. The problem is hes a one trick pony right now (something even he admits to).

If Houston bangs with him hes going to sleep. If he utilizes his MT skills or takes it to the ground Kimbo is in trouble. Ive seen every last one of Kimbos fights and not 1 single person hes fought to date has out boxed him. Not one.

I would like to see how Kimbo does against fighters on his level instead of all these vets they keep throwing him in the ring against. But hey he likes learning on the job and people like watching his fights.

Simply stated he brings it or gets KTFO trying and I think a lot of fans respect that (hence his popularity... well that and the beard)

rd

[GL Jeff]

Originally Posted by roaddawg

Neither of the names you mentioned or any of his opponents to date has "out boxed" him. The problem is hes a one trick pony right now (something even he admits to).

If Houston bangs with him hes going to sleep. If he utilizes his MT skills or takes it to the ground Kimbo is in trouble. Ive seen every last one of Kimbos fights and not 1 single person hes fought to date has out boxed him. Not one.

I would like to see how Kimbo does against fighters on his level instead of all these vets they keep throwing him in the ring against. But hey he likes learning on the job and people like watching his fights.

Simply stated he brings it or gets KTFO trying and I think a lot of fans respect that (hence his popularity... well that and the beard)

rd

Wow man, just wow. I like Kimbo, have been a fan, never fell for the EXC shit they tried to feed people, but still enjoyed him. But your hanging hard on those nuts boy. For one, Seth beat him on his feet, but that wasnt boxing? I could swear he knocked him out cold with a straight jab, but thats no boxing, no sir.

And then you want him to fight people his own level. Why dont you just say, feed Kimbo cans. Isnt MMA all about climbing the ladder. And out of everyone in the LHW/HW division of the UFC, I would say Houston is on his level. They both have been fighting about the same length of time. They both have the same strengths and weaknesses. In fact, I think their very much like Chuck/Wandy. Just one has darker skin.

[JadedX]

Seth knocked out Kimbo cold, lol. Guess I'll need to re-watch that fight again, even if I've only watched it around six times and each of those six times Kimbo wasn't out cold. The ref stopped the fight as Seth was landing shots and Kimbo wasn't defending himself, yet he wasn't out cold. I'll re-watch it one more time, though. Don't know why but will do.

I agree that Kimbo have been over-hyped ala the now defunct EXC and currently the UFC, but is that his fault? No. He did what he was paid to do. He did what he was told to do. And whilst he's been over-hyped, each time it was mentioned that he'd return after losing to 'Big Belly' Nelson, viewers tuned in. I'm sure a lot of viewers had realised after that fight that Kimbo wasn't all that good of an MMA fighter but they all still tuned in. TUF 10 being the highest rated season thus far proves that.

Anyway, I'm liking this match-up between Kimbo and Houston. This is do or die. Gut check time. Prove yourself, so to speak. Both fighters aren't actually on a win streak as of late so this will determine whom have learned from their losses and that what makes this fight so intriguing and I wouldn't be surprise if the ratings for TUF 10 Finale just kills it. Also, it'll be on SpikeTV, which is NOT a National TV station, but a Cable TV station. This will be fun.

The finale should be a slobber knocker for sure. Three more days.

[1212Christian]

I think Houston will beat Kimbo on fight night.

[Pasha K]

Well what a big dissapointment.
Everybody was telling that Kimbo did great and really surprised everybody, sure, he was raped by that fatty and that was all.

Where is the surprise? That he showed to be humble?

It just seems that UFC was doing everything to get high ratings, people was always wondering if Kimbo would be fighting again and finally he didnt.

You like it or not RD, but Petruzelli KOd him, Gannon raped him, Nelson raped him, Thompson was raping him, and even in one of those shitty street fights he was Knocked down. Kimbo is just marketing, as a fighter he sucks. I remember that you once said that no one single fighter would bang with him....LMAO. Kimbo sucks, I know that you love him because he is black but he sucks, he is not that good as a striker, in the ground he is even worse. He is just a marketing machine, he sucked in TUF and however I am sure he will fight at least 3 times in the UFC. Dana wont put him against strong oponents, because he know Kimbo would get detsroyed, he will put him fighters like Mustapha Al Turk and people like that. Kimbo wont ever be a Top HW. He sucks Big Time.

[lwbrewer]

After a few defeats in the UFC then Kimbo will have to go to Japan as a side show or Fake wrestling. But I don't think he's tough anough to with stand the wrestling abuse 300 days a year

[notBJpenn]

Really not givin a shit about who wins, but it should be a good brawl.

[JadedX]

lol, good point.

I actually want Kimbo to win, and if he's been taking in what he's been learning the past few months whilst training with some of the best MMA fighters in the world, I believe he can win. But can't take away the fact that Houston is dangerous. Ask Jardine and Sakara. Ask Them!

[KevoOnTheRadio]

This fight will be the most exciting first 3 minutes of a fight that we've seen since Guida/Sanchez. Except this fight ain't gettin outta the first round!