Kevin Ferguson, aka "Kimbo Slice" took the mixed martial arts world by storm when he first entered into the new and unfamiliar sport. Though he honed his skills in backyard brawls and private gyms all over the South of Florida, Kimbo parlayed those skills acquired into a some-what successful mixed martial arts career which eventually saw the 36-year-old make his way into the UFC, the worlds largest MMA promotion. Now, after severing ties with the organization and rumors of a professional boxing debut now squelched, it looks like that Slice will be venturing into some more unfamiliar territory when he competes now as a professional wrestler in the Japanese circuit. ...

For better or worse, Seth Petruzelli is a name that will forever be synonymous with the short-lived EliteXC promotion. Petruzelli was an eleventh-hour replacement opponent for notorious street brawler and YouTube sensation Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson back when Slice had been built up and marketed as the next MMA wrecking machine. That wasn’t the case: Petruzelli stone-cold KO’d Kimbo fourteen seconds into their fight. Petruzelli recently returned to the ufc for the first time in three years, and despite losing his return fight, recently vowed that he’s going to do everything in his power to get rid of his “Kimbo Killer” status and establish himself as a credible threat in the ever-expanding UFC. ...

When it comes to the UFC and new partnerships, many of the pieces published nowadays focus on international markets: signing new TV deals, online deals, and things of that nature. But the war for mainstream acceptance in the US is far from over, and the UFC knows this full well. Recently the UFC announced an exclusive partnership with Boost Mobile, naming the cell phone company as the “official wireless partner” of the UFC.  Here are all the details. ...

Even before it was announced that former street brawler and YouTube sensation Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson would be making the transition to pro boxing after a less-than-stellar run in MMA, people were talking about a match between Kimbo Slice and aging pro boxer turned failed MMA star James Toney. In Toney’s initial media onslaught where he called out multiple people and proclaimed that he could easily take them out in an MMA fight, Slice was at the top of his list. Toney even went as far as nicknaming Slice “Simba”. In a recent appearance on the MMA Hour, Slice revealed that he wouldn’t be opposed to a fight with Toney. I’m generally in favor of this match, although I think there are both positives and negatives to how soon this fight is booked. ...

Well, that didn’t take long did it? It hasn’t even been a week since I first reported that boxing promoter and notorious head honcho of the now-defunct Elite XC MMA promotion Gary Shaw was looking to scoop Kimbo Slice out of the unemployment line and put him in a boxing ring. Slice, whose real name is Kevin Ferguson, recently told ESPN New York that he is definitely making the transition from the land of cages and Octagons to the land of ten-ounce gloves and squared circles. The famous street brawling YouTube sensation hasn’t seen action of any kind since losing to Matt Mitrione at UFC 113 in May of this year. Despite going 1-1 in the UFC, and despite the fact that his surprise appearance on the tenth season of “The Ultimate Fighter” brought in some of the biggest ratings of any TUF season ever, Kimbo’s inclusion in the sport’s biggest and best MMA promotion was all too brief, and if I may be so bold, shockingly uneventful. And yet I’m actually looking forward to seeing him in a boxing ring. ...

In the world of boxing, manager/promoter Gary Shaw is moderately famous. In the world of MMA, Shaw is decidedly infamous. Shaw was one of the driving forces behind the Elite XC promotion, including its shocking successes and its most humiliating defeats. After only two years, EXC landed a mammoth deal with the CBS network, broadcasting its fights live on national television, gaining the record for the highest ratings for a major network telecast of a MMA event in the process. Shaw helped introduce the world to fighters like Gina Carano, Cristiane Santos, even Kevin Ferguson, better known as Kimbo Slice. Of course, it would all come crashing down with the surprise KO of Slice by the little-known Seth Petruzelli, and the even-more-shocking charges of conspiracy and corruption that followed, as a scandal erupted due to Petruzelli’s remarks that Elite XC paid him more money in order to keep his fight with Kimbo standing. Shaw hasn’t been seen or heard from in MMA since then, but he recently made waves during a short interview, where he hinted that he would try to take Kimbo Slice out of the MMA game and put him in a boxing ring. ...

Former UFC fighter "The Silverback" Seth Petruzelli (11-4) best known for his TKO win over Kimbo Slice (4-2) at an October 2008 EliteXC show is returning to the Octagon. His opponent will be light heavyweight Ricardo Romero (10-1) at UFC 116. ...

This weeks installment of "Weekly Jab" brings you news on the new UFC light heavyweight champion, a former NFL football player and one of the most recognizable names in the sport. ...

The fight night has come to an end and at UFC 113 Josh Koscheck (15-4) wrestled his way to a decision win over "SemTex" Paul Daley (20-10-2). That was only loss number one for Daley this night though as both him and Kimbo got some bad news post-fight. ...

Spike TV announced that the premiere episode of "The Ultimate Fighter 11" (TUF) saw a drastic drop in viewership from the debut episode of TUF 10. The ratings drop was a decline of 53 percent and no one was more shocked than me at this news. ...

Since the signing of one time heavyweight boxing champ James Toney (0-0) rumors have been swirling about his potential opponent. The one fighter talked about the most was Kimbo Slice (4-1) and we now that he will not be fighting James Toney anytime soon. ...

It was announced that heavyweight boxing champion “Lights Out” James Toney (0-0) has signed a five-fight deal with the UFC. The latest is that the contract is the first ever non-exclusive contract that the UFC has done. The signing of Toney can be looked at as a freak show, a shot to beat Strikeforce to the punch or a vehicle to prove that MMA is greater than boxing but no matter how you view it the important question is what will this do for the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). ...

YouTube streetfighting sensation “Kimbo Slice” Kevin Ferguson (4-1) and former Minnesota Viking lineman Matt Mitrione (1-0), both contestants on SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter 10, will matchup at UFC 113 in Montreal May 8. ...

Heavyweight “Big Country” Roy Nelson (13-4) TKO'd “Kimbo Slice” Kevin Ferguson (3-1) by referee stoppage in the second round of an exhbition fight on The Ultimate Fighter 10 Wednesday. ...

"Kimbo Slice" Kevin Ferguson (3-1) will make his Octagon debut versus "Big Country" Roy Nelson (13-4), himself debuting, on The Ultimate Fighter 10 on SpikeTV at 10:00 PM EST on Wednesday. ...

Fighters.com phoned UFC lightweight Jorge Gurgel (12-4) to check-in on his preparation for his fight against Aaron Riley (26-10-1) at UFC 91 Las Vegas 15 November and our talk went places we never expected. FIghters.com: Jorge, your scheduled to fight at UFC 91.  This event is being hyped by the industry insiders as a UFC card with potential to set record pay-per-view sales.  What's your thoughts on being part of this event? Jorge Gurgel: To be honest.  It's a huge honor to be part of the UFC.  Period.  My dream in life has always been to be part of the UFC and fight in the UFC.  As far as the event being the highest pay-per-view event ever, for me it's just another fight.  You know, there's so much on the line for fighters now days.  Every performance counts. The next fight is the most important fight every time.   My job is always on the line. I am very focused on my fight and my teammate's fights: Dustin Hazelett and Kenny Florian.  I am worried about our performances and how the three of us are going to do and then everything else will take care of itself.  FIghters.com: Your opponent, Aaron Riley, is coming off two straight wins; but, it's his first fight in the UFC since 2006.  Do you think Riley's time away from the Octagon plays to your advantage? ...

CBS and ProElite, Inc. have announced that the first live primetime mixed martial arts event will be broadcast Saturday, 31 May (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.  CBS EliteXC Saturday Night Fights will be broadcast live from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. "We're excited to introduce broadcast television viewers to America's fastest growing sport with this prime time event," said Kelly Kahl, Senior Executive Vice President, CBS Primetime.  "EliteXC is putting together a lineup card that showcases the unique personalities, world-class athleticism, and raw power and emotion that characterizes mixed martial arts."    Champion "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler (15-4) will put his title on the line against "Hands of Steel" Scott Smith (13-4) in a middleweight championship bout.  EliteXC heavyweight phenom, "Kimbo Slice" Kevin Ferguson (3-0), will also participate in the May 31 event along with other stars from mixed martial arts.  Additional matchups will be announced at a later date. "I am very happy for the highly trained fighters, who will finally get the kind of exposure they deserve, and, of course, the viewers, who will get the opportunity to learn that MMA is truly a sport that requires an abundance of skills, both mentally and physically," said Gary Shaw, EliteXC Live Events President. ...

Before a sellout crowd of 6,187 that produced the single largest gate in the history of the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami, Kimbo Slice registered a spectacular 43-second, first-round knockout over David Abbott Saturday on Showtime. The exciting event, which was presented by Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc.’s EliteXC, aired on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).  It will be replayed a few times in the next several days, including Wednesday on Showtime at 11 p.m. ET/PT. As far as homecomings go, it doesn’t get better than this, as the incredibly popular Pride of Perrine, Fla, gave the raucous but well-behaved fans what they came to see: a devastating knockout win. A YouTube legend and legitimate mixed martial arts superstar, Kimbo’s performance put an exclamation point on what was an excellent night of MMA action. “We promised the fans a good, classy show and we delivered a great one,’’ said “EliteXC Live Events President and University of Miami alum, Gary Shaw.  “EliteXC showed tonight, once again, what MMA is all about.  There were great fights with dramatic finishes, a little bit of everything for everybody. “As a promoter, you want the fans to leave with a good taste, and I truly believe that each and every person in attendance here tonight left the venue happy and completely satisfied. “I couldn’t be prouder of the athletes, who acted like world champions before, during and afterward, or the fans, who turned out in record numbers.  We look forward to returning to Miami again. “This was just a tremendously exciting night from start to finish.  Honestly, I don’t think any organization puts on better, more competitive fights that we do.’’ Kimbo (2-0), who may indeed be more popular than sliced bread, wowed the crowd en route to demolishing Abbott, an MMA icon who entered the cage to win.  But Tank spent more time on the ground than on his feet, going down three times from legitimate punches and a couple other times from slips. “I wanted him to get up, I wanted to bang,’’ Kimbo said.  “I had to push him off because we were too close.   Then I just knocked him down.  It was great fighting in front of the hometown fans.  I’d be lying if I told you they didn’t jack me up. Miami, you are my home.  “I have a lot of respect for Tank.  This was one of my dream fights, along with Mike Tyson.  But I am ready to fight anybody and ready to fight again really soon. “I want to thank Showtime and EliteXC for making this night possible for me and my family.”  Abbott (9-14), of Huntington Beach, Calif., gave it his all, as expected.  “I tried to take it to him at the start and take him to the ground, but then I just said, the heck with that and started to fight,’’ Tank said.  “But I ran into one and that was it. I was just getting started. “It is still too early to know how good or great Kimbo will be.  But what I do know is that I absolutely want to keep fighting. Maybe I will go after Ken Shamrock.’’ In other Showtime fights Saturday, “Big Foot” Antonio Silva (10-1), a highly touted Brazilian who lives in Coconut Creek, Fla., recorded a hard-fought three-round split decision over former champion Ricco Rodriguez (27-8), of Staten Island, N.Y., unbeaten Brett Rogers (8-0), of  St. Paul, Minn., blasted out England's "The Colossus" James Thompson (16-8) in the first round, “Hands Of Steel’’ Scott Smith (15-4), of Sacramento, Calif., knocked out Australian "The Ozzie" Kyle Noke (14-4-1), the bodyguard of the late Steve “Crocodile Hunter’’ Irwin, in the second round and Yves Edwards (33-13-1), of Conroe, Tex., stopped  "Little Tiger" James Edson Berto (14-5-1), of Tampa, Fla., in the opening session. In non-televised undercard fights that aired for free on MMA Internet site,  ProElite.com: Moyses Gabin (2-0), of Miami, registered a 2:32, first-round knockout over Jirka Hlavaty (1-2), of Miami, Lorenzo Borgameo (3-0), of Miami, won by submission (triangle) at 4:11 of the second round over Mike Bernhard (3-1), of Miami; Eric Bradley (3-1), of Las Vegas, Nev., took a unanimous  decision over Mikey Gomez (6-4), of Orlando, Fla.; Dave Herman (10-0), of Indiana, scored a third-round TKO over Mario Rinaldi (6-3), of Miami, Yosmany Cabezas (5-0), of Tampa, Fla., won by second-round submission (rear naked choke) over Jon Kirk (10-3), of Houston, and Rafael Feijao (4-1), of Brazil, knocked out John Doyle (6-2), of Allentown, Pa., at 2:17 of the first round. All the fights were scheduled for three, 5-minute rounds.  Silva, whose initial nine victories had come in the first round, got the nod on two of the judges’ cards by the scores of 30-27 and 29-28. The third judge had it for Rodriguez, 29-28. “Ricco is a dangerous fighter,’’ said Silva, who was making his second start since dropping down after competing as a 300-pound super heavyweight.  “I knew it was going to be a tough fight.  I fought hard and came out with a victory, but it was a difficult fight for me.   “I want that belt.  I am sorry that this was not the best night of fighting for me, but I promise I will deliver in my next bout.  I want that heavyweight title.” Rodriguez entered the cage with a vast advantage in experience, having fought and defeated some of the biggest names in MMA, including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Tim Sylvia, Jeff Monson, Andrei Arlovski, Pete Wilson, and Randy Couture.  “The reality is, I didn’t train as long for this fight as I needed to, but I think I showed that I am still dedicated and can fight,’’ Rodriguez said.  “I am in this for the long haul and appreciate the opportunity EliteXC is giving me.  I wouldn’t be surprised if we fought a rematch.  I would love to fight Silva again.’’ Smith, who has won all 16 of his fights inside the distance, knocked out Noke in devastating fashion.  After losing the first round, he came out blazing in the second.  Two brutal right hands did all the damage.  The referee halted matters at 0:07 of the round.  “I’m sorry for that first round, that’s not the way I fight,” Smith said.  “I didn’t start to get comfortable until toward the end of the round. “When I got to my corner between rounds, I told my trainer that I had found my range.  I came out pumped and made up for it.  I was fighting way too much on the outside, but once I got inside -- bam, I knocked him down.” Noke had a four-fight unbeaten streak (3-0-1) end.  “This is a different feeling for me,’’ he said.  “I’ve never been knocked out by a punch before.  I felt good after the first round, but I got caught in the second. Scott is a good, strong fighter.” Edwards earned his fourth consecutive victory by knocking out Berto with a knee and punch combination at 4:56 of the first round. Berto had a three-fight winning streak snapped. “I am back and ready to fight anybody,’’ Edwards said.  “I’d love to fight [EliteXC lightweight champion KJ] Noons.  He’s the guy with the gold.  If you’re not doing this to be a world champion, you better do something else.’’  In an upset in the first Showtime fight, the hard-hitting Rogers spoiled the United States debut of Thompson, bringing “Colossus” down to size with a flurry of powerful combinations at 2:24 of the first round. “I don’t think I have to say anything; it showed for itself,” Rogers said.  “He’s got a weak chin and I knew it was going to happen. “All he kept trying to do was wrestle me to the ground.  I got back up and I knocked him out.  When I touch him, he’s going down.  There’s going to be more of Brett Rogers on EliteXC.” Thompson offered no excuses.  “He caught me with good punches,” he said.  “He hits a lot harder than I thought.  I’m very disappointed.  My confidence isn’t where it should be or where I would like it to be since after my last fight.  I would fight him again in a rematch.’’ ...