Earlier today we reported that EliteXC will hold an event on November 10 in Texas that will feature a 160lb title fight with Nick Diaz. Looks like that same card will also feature the EliteXC debut of Kevin Ferguson (a.k.a Kimbo Slice).
Kimbo made his MMA debut in the Cage Fury Fighting Championships at CFFC 5 last June where he defeated Ray Mercer by guillotine choke in the first round. Slice was scheduled to fight David “Tank” Abbott at CFFC 6 tomorrow night in Atlantic City, NJ, but the show was canceled late last week.
After the CFFC show cancellation many fans speculated where Kimbo might end up and who he would fight next. Today ProElite announced that Kimbo had been signed by EliteXC and Sam Caplan was able to interview EliteXC President Gary Shaw about the signing:
Sam Caplan: I just wanted to confirm the report on ProElite.com that Kimbo Slice has been signed by EliteXC?
Gary Shaw: Yes, we have a long-term deal with Kimbo Slice. I’m very excited about the signing.
Sam Caplan: Can you discuss the length of the contract?
Gary Shaw: The one thing I never do is talk about money or the length of contracts other than to say it is a multi-year, multi-fight deal with Kimbo. He’s going to be a part of the EliteXC and ProElite family and we love to have him. I am really excited about putting him on Showtime and letting the world see him.
Sam Caplan: Is this an exclusive contract?
Gary Shaw: It’s an exclusive contract, yes.
Sam Caplan: You mentioned showing Kimbo to the world on Showtime. How soon will fans get to see him fight under the EliteXC banner?
Gary Shaw: November 10 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Sam Caplan: Has an opponent been named?
Gary Shaw: Not that we have decided on yet. We’ll make that decision this coming week.
Sam Caplan: Is there a chance that Tank Abbott, who was scheduled to have faced Kimbo Slice this weekend for Cage Fury Fighting Championships this week before the event was canceled, could be the opponent?
Gary Shaw: (There’s) always a chance that anyone fight with EliteXC and on Showtime, yes.
Will we still see Kimbo vs Tank or will Kimbo face someone else? Either way, we know he has found a new home with EliteXC and now we can see what kind of MMA career he can put together.
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Tags: EliteXC, MMA, Kimbo Slice, Ray Mercer, Tank Abbott, Sam Caplan, Gary Shaw
(via MMA HQ - Mixed Martial Arts News and Analysis)