1) The document discusses MMA fighter Kimbo Slice and his lack of respect for fans. It describes instances where Kimbo refused to take pictures or sign autographs for fans at events, despite gaining his fame and career from his fanbase.
2) Kimbo is not particularly talented as an MMA fighter, having been defeated quickly in fights against other professionals. However, he earned a large purse based solely on the popularity from his amateur street fighting videos.
3) At a recent event, Kimbo refused an autograph for a child fan, pushing through the crowd with his entourage. The author argues this may end Kimbo's career, as losing the support of his fanbase is his most devastating defeat
1) The document discusses MMA fighter Kimbo Slice and his lack of respect for fans. It describes instances where Kimbo refused to take pictures or sign autographs for fans at events, despite gaining his fame and career from his fanbase.
2) Kimbo is not particularly talented as an MMA fighter, having been defeated quickly in fights against other professionals. However, he earned a large purse based solely on the popularity from his amateur street fighting videos.
3) At a recent event, Kimbo refused an autograph for a child fan, pushing through the crowd with his entourage. The author argues this may end Kimbo's career, as losing the support of his fanbase is his most devastating defeat
1) The document discusses MMA fighter Kimbo Slice and his lack of respect for fans. It describes instances where Kimbo refused to take pictures or sign autographs for fans at events, despite gaining his fame and career from his fanbase.
2) Kimbo is not particularly talented as an MMA fighter, having been defeated quickly in fights against other professionals. However, he earned a large purse based solely on the popularity from his amateur street fighting videos.
3) At a recent event, Kimbo refused an autograph for a child fan, pushing through the crowd with his entourage. The author argues this may end Kimbo's career, as losing the support of his fanbase is his most devastating defeat
accessibility and attitude of the super stars. As a fan of MMA and as a writer for this prestigious site, I have been fortunate enough to come into contact with a variety of big names in MMA. I have hob-nobbed with GSP, had drinks with Tito Ortiz, and had cigars with Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva after our daughters were born along side one another. I have had very pleasant exchanges with Dan Henderson, Scott Smith, and Gegard Mousasi, all of whom were friendly and happy to pose for a picture or sign an autograph. It seemed that the more talented the fighter, the more down to earth and respectful of the fans he was. With that being said, it seems that in MMA, like in life, the people who take good fortune for granted are always the last who should. Kevin Ferguson, better known as Kimbo Slice, has a career due to a grassroots fame he garnered off of youtube. He is not particularly gifted as an athlete; he was disassembled in his Ultimate Fighter debut by Roy 'Big Country' Nelson who has a physique more associated with a competitive eater than a MMA fighter. He is not particularly tough; he was TKO'd in 14 seconds by Seth Petruzelli who took the fight on a days notice. All Kimbo had in his favor was a fan base comprised of people who were rooting for a street brawler to make good in a world populated by professional athletes. One would think that Kimbo would be grateful for fans that have been the sole reason for his career despite a clear absence of talent but, this past Saturday, at Strikeforce: Miami, I witnessed something that will forever shatter my image of this near-do-well. Kimbo and his entourage were seated in the box next to mine and, having had some run-ins with him in the past, I watched to see how he responded to fans while he was at an MMA event. The fans remained respectful of his privacy and did not approach him during the fights. Just as Diaz finished off Zaromskis, a few fans lingered outside of Kimbo's box anxiously awaiting a chance to get a picture with their sports hero. Kimbo came out of his box and was greeted with a kid saying "how about a picture Kimbo" to which Kimbo responded "I'm here with my shortie, I gotta keep moving" and proceeded to have his entourage of thugs circle around him and push him through the crowd. Normally, I would not make an issue of an athlete not wanting to sign an autograph if he were at dinner with his family (although most do) but Kimbo was at an MMA event populated by the very people who pay to see him. It would even be excusable if this were the first time I have seen this happen, but I have personally witnessed Kimbo shut down his fans on 4 separate occasions. I could even turn a blind eye to his lack of respect for the fan if he built his career on talent, but the fact remains that Kimbo was outclassed every time he stepped into the cage with a real MMA fighter. His only real marketability is that people want to see the fighter they saw on youtube. Well folks, that back yard brawler fighting for his 'bread' was replaced by an ungrateful prima donna the day he got a $500,000 purse for losing a 14 second match to Seth Petruzelli. On Jan 30th at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida, Kimbo Slice lost the most devastating fight of his career without ever throwing a punch or even stepping into the cage. By not breaking his stride for a 10 year old fan asking for an autograph, Kimbo refused to fight for his fans and this may be the final K.O. of an already shaky career.