Kimbo Slice’s debut on CBS did solid ratings for EliteXC, but it also exposed holes in Slice’s MMA game. Slice is still a relative amateur on the ground, and lacks high level conditioning. Because he won he is likely to retain most of his drawing power, but he is one bad loss away from taking a serious hit as a special attraction. It is in this environment that EliteXC needs to be very careful in choosing his next opponent.
Given Slice’s star power and fighting ability, there are two types of opponents who should be considered for Slice’s next fight. The first type is a safe opponent like Bo Cantrell who has a very limited chance of beating Slice. This sort of fight will be met with definite backlash, but Slice beating a nobody is much better than Slice losing to a nobody.
The second type of opponent is the fighter who may be able to beat Slice, but who would become a big star and drawing card for EliteXC in the process. Tito Ortiz is the perfect example. Slice is eventually going to lose, but the sting of the loss will be much less if EliteXC can transfer his star power to the man who beats him.
There are examples of this working and examples of it not working. Tito Ortiz was UFC’s poster boy for years, while Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture had not demonstrated any drawing power. However, when Couture and Liddell beat Ortiz, they became stars in their own right. By contrast, Ricardo Arona ended Wanderlei Silva’s six year run of domination in Pride’s middleweight division, but became no bigger of a star in the process.
EliteXC promoter Gary Shaw has said that Brett Rogers will be Slice’s next opponent. Unfortunately for EliteXC, Rogers fits into neither category of ideal opponent. Rogers is an undefeated prospect and has the potential to defeat Slice. However, he is neither an elite fighter nor a charismatic personality. If Rogers beats Slice, it is highly unlikely he will become a star in the process. As such, it’s a bad fight for the promotion.
You’ve got to give Rogers credit for being smart, though. He knew a win over Slice would be the fast track to better career opportunities. He proceeded to do all he could to push EliteXC into making the fight by trash talking Slice and manufacturing buzz for a potential fight between the two. Unfortunately for EliteXC, they appear to have taken the bait. Now they have to cross their fingers and hope they can dodge another bullet.
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