Former UFC Heavyweight Contender Calls Out Kimbo, Says He “Won’t Take A Dive”

While many feel Ken Shamrock “took a dive” against Kimbo Slice at Bellator 138 this past Friday night in St. Louis, there is one battle-tested UFC veteran who is now calling out Slice, but warning him that he “won’t take a dive.”

Former UFC Heavyweight contender Ian Freeman (20-7-1), who at age 44, last fought two years ago, defeating a well past his prime former UFC Heavyweight Champion Ricco Rodriguez, would look to extend the three fight win streak late in his career into a four fight unbeaten run, culminating by taking out Bellator’s top draw.

“Kimbo is old-school, like me,” said Freeman during a recent interview with Bloody Elbow. “He’s younger, but old-school. I’m not a fool, I’m not going to come back into fighting and challenge a young gun, that’s just silly.”

Freeman continued, “But there’s something about an old-school fight that people love to watch. I love it when people think I’m too old. I’ve yet to gas out. I still train three hours a day, five days a week and when my guys get ready for fight camp, so do I, and I’m more skilled now than I was 10 years ago.”

Ian “The Machine” admits that while “Father Time” isn’t exactly on his side at age 44, he feels the same for Kimbo Slice, who is on the north side of 40 himself, having just celebrated his 41st birthday back in February.

“Sure, age isn’t on my side, but neither is it on Kimbo’s side. I’m not saying I’m gonna win easy, but I will win. Kimbo is a dangerous striker, but I’m a dangerous ground and pound specialist and my submissions are also good now. [It would] be interesting to see who stays standing and who gets it to the ground. Styles make fights. I’m more skilled now than I was in my prime. 15 years as a coach have made my skill level increase dramatically.”

From there, Freeman took a not-so-subtle shot at former rival Ken Shamrock, who he claims “took a dive” after eating a pair of shots from the former street brawler.

“I know one thing for sure,” said Freeman. “My shot would have been a lot faster and better, my rear-naked choke would have put Kimbo to sleep and I wouldn’t dive after being hit twice.”

For those who missed the “dive” that Freeman is referring to from the fight this past Friday night at Bellator 138, you can watch the entire fight by clicking here: VIDEO: Ken Shamrock vs. Kimbo Slice Full Fight Video.

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