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[Kimbo> Rampage]

By Jake Rossen (jrossen@sherdog.com)
Tuesday, May 25 10:15 am PT: Shaquille O’Neal’s pursuits outside of basketball have not been altogether successful. (Insert your own “Kazaam” joke here.) With his NBA contract winding down this year, the 37-year-old will continue to have options: law enforcement (he’s a deputy), personal appearances, or endorsements. It’s doubtful he has to work even another minute of his life, but at least the appearance of effort is good for circulation.

Speaking with Dan Patrick on Monday, UFC President Dana White indicated O’Neal had been petitioning for a fight. At 7-foot-1, he would be exemplary for no other reason than being the tallest athlete in the promotion. But obviously, O’Neal’s appeal goes deeper than that: as one of the biggest sports figures of the past 15 years and one of the most famous people in the world, anything as lurid as seeing him throwing punches is going to be a serious cash-grab.

O’Neal, who trains with Royce Gracie black belt Jon Burke in Florida, has indeterminate abilities: that frame probably doesn’t move too smoothly in a ground scramble. But reach is huge for stand-up striking, where even a mediocre man-wall of a fighter like Hong-Man Choi can find some success. (O’Neal, perhaps owing to a sense of fair play, once taunted Choi in a viral video.)

White has already displayed a willingness to indulge in geek shows; while fans may protest that a special attraction shouldn’t be taking up the same real estate as fighters who have put in the effort, it’s a shortsighted complaint. For any pay-per-view O’Neal headlines, athletes on the undercard will be able to name their own sponsorship asking price.

Sherdog.com MMA Blog: Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Shaq has been a fan and around mma longer than most of us have. He's been a huge UFC fan since the mid 90's. Not saying how well he would do but he has always been the most well known UFC supporter. Just imagine how much ppv buys it would get, easily the best selling UFC ppv of all time but would the ufc go that route, should they? It would clearly be above hw and most likely a exhibition match, probably against an mma circus freak (sapp, choi, walker, conseco) or possibly another sports athlete that wants to give a go at shaq.

[Eplexx]

Hes WAY to slow to fight in mma, Thats just like bringing another kimbo slice and waisting ufc's time. Sure he's popular but if he looses all the time then whats the point?

[IceCold48]

dana should not do this its kind of a disgrace. i love shaq but it annoys me how strikeforce banks on hershal walker bc he was a pro athlete and the ufc which is supposed to be this "classy" top level mma organization that only signs the best in the world would be doing the same thing maybe worse.

i mean this is different then james toney and kimbo bcas much as i hate the whole kimbo crap he did take dana up on his challenge to get on TUF even though if anyone else in any other season told dana they didnt wanna fight thered be no way hed sign them. and james toney is basically to shut him and the boxing community up with all this mma sucks stuff even though it almost definetly not work

[CRisCO]

Shaq on TUF!!!

Make it happen Dana.

[Daellusx]

Originally Posted by Eplexx

Hes WAY to slow to fight in mma, Thats just like bringing another kimbo slice and waisting ufc's time. Sure he's popular but if he looses all the time then whats the point?

The point would be to bring in NBA fans who want to see what Shaq can do in the octagon. These fans will also view the others fights on the card and in the process may end up deciding that they like the UFC and will order future events. Whether Shaq wins or loses is meaningless as long as he brings in new fans to the UFC.

Just look at how well Brock Lesnar's debut did for the UFC even though he lost to Frank Mir.

[CRisCO]

Originally Posted by Daellusx

The point would be to bring in NBA fans who want to see what Shaq can do in the octagon. These fans will also view the others fights on the card and in the process may end up deciding that they like the UFC and will order future events. Whether Shaq wins or loses is meaningless as long as he brings in new fans to the UFC.

Just look at how well Brock Lesnar's debut did for the UFC even though he lost to Frank Mir.

Lesnar was definately a good investment.

[GL Jeff]

Originally Posted by CRisCO

Lesnar was definately a good investment.

Lesnar is a real athlete. While Shaq isnt even that great at B-Ball,his size does everything for him.

[Eplexx]

Originally Posted by Daellusx

The point would be to bring in NBA fans who want to see what Shaq can do in the octagon. These fans will also view the others fights on the card and in the process may end up deciding that they like the UFC and will order future events. Whether Shaq wins or loses is meaningless as long as he brings in new fans to the UFC.

Just look at how well Brock Lesnar's debut did for the UFC even though he lost to Frank Mir.

Sure he lost in his first fight but he was full on dominating frank for ever until he got caught while shaq has no skills. Prove me wrong ufc and lets see how this guy can fight.

[Pasha K]

I want to see Shaq in UFC, only because I want to hear what stupid excuse Dana will say to justify his signing.

"Listen, here is the thing with Shaq. The guy is a monster, he is strong as hell and I respect him because he dares to fighte the best fighters in the planet. He is not some fucking Herschel fucking Walker, Shaq is a legit athlete"

[jay-c]

For what it's worth, (and I will try to find the article) Shaq has trained MMA for the past 10 or so years.