UFC 113: Kimbo Slice - “Too Legit to Quit?”

Kimbo Slice takes on Matt Mitrione at UFC 113 on May 8th

> Don't miss our UFC 113 predictions and find the official UFC 113 fight results after the fights are complete here at Pro Fighting Fans!

It has been about half-a-year since Kimbo Slice claimed some legitimacy by going through The Ultimate Fighter 10 house and picking up his first octagon victory at the TUF 10 Finale. On May 8 th, Slice will look to build on that new image of a “real” MMA fighter when he takes on TUF 10 cast-mate, Matt Mitrione, on the UFC 113 main card from Montreal, Canada. This will be Slice’s first appearance on a UFC PPV card and his first test in the ultra-competitive UFC heavyweight division.

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In December, at the TUF 10 Finale, Slice looked new-and-improved and all-around better in his one-sided victory over fellow tough-guy, Houston Alexander. Slice came out with an effective game plan, and although was unable to finish Alexander, executed it the best he ever has. He punished the unusually elusive Alexander and almost finished him several times in what turned out to be an enjoyable fight.

Not all was perfect for Slice, for one, he looked tired and worn out as well as sloppy with some of his strikes. He also looked somewhat slow when trying to catch Alexander, who had his wheels on, but, looked especially slow when on top working his ground striking game. Much of that criticism, however, was attributed to the fight being contested at a 215-pound catch weight which caused him to cut weight for the first time ever.

Kimbo will not need to worry about cutting weight this time around; he will however need to show more consistent action in order to defeat Mitrione. Mitrione only has one official bout to his credit, but also looked solid in his UFC debut last December when he did finish, against Marcus “Big Baby” Jones. Mitrione caught Jones with a flurry of punches in that bout including a heavy right that put Jones down for good only 10-seconds into the 2nd round.

While many already know about Slice’s stand-up game, it is his ground game that may help him earn his fifth career victory. Slice has been training his improving MMA game, including jiu-jitsu, at the world renowned American Top Team with legendary trainer, Ricardo Liborio. If Slice has developed on the ground the way many have predicted, it could be yet another re-invention of Kimbo Slice. If he can get Mitrione to the ground and work that ground game, he should be able to utilize his attack and finish the durable Mitrione.

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I think this is the perfect match-up for Kimbo in his UFC development. Mitrione is a formidable opponent, but also is an opponent that Slice has a good chance to beat. If he is able to do that, and earn the victory, he may be handed a big name opponent on a future card, but more importantly, add even more legitimacy to his name as a MMA fighter. Until then, it is all a guessing game as to how he will progress.

> Don't miss our feature on Matt Mitrione to come later this week and check out our UFC 113 Matt Mitrione interview.

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer