The Ultimate Fighter Recap: Episode Three

Last night on the Ultimate Fighter, one of the most anticipated fights of Ultimate Fighter history was set to take place. At the end of the show last week, coach Rashad Evans had chosen his team member Roy Nelson to fight the "Internet sensation" Kimbo Slice. Not only did Kimbo have a lot to prove to UFC fans all over the world, but he needed to prove himself to one man and one man only, UFC President Dana White. In the past, White has made it quite clear that he didn't believe that Kimbo was a real fighter and the only way that he would ever be allowed into the UFC was to be a contestant on TUF. Sure enough, Slice took White up on his offer and was a contender this season.

At the start of the episode, Kimbo is talking about his past and how much he loves fighting. It is a side of Kimbo Slice that I, and many other MMA fighters all around the world, had never seen before. He was speaking from the heart and even came to the realization that there was a big difference between his "enemy" and "inner me". However, the somewhat sentimental moment didn't last long. In the next scene, Rashad and Rampage are at the gym, as Keith Jardine pops in, and once again start bickering at each other. Since both had fought Jardine, they go to great lengths to explain who actually hurt him more. That conversation snowballed into how or why Rampage and Rashad never fought. Rampage says that he ended up fighting Jardine due to Rashad wanting to keep his belt longer and trying to avoid a chance to get it taken from him.

After the Rashad/Rampage spat, it boils over between Team Rashad member James McSweeney and Rampage, due to McSweeney butting in and backing up his coach. Rampage makes it clear that he can't understand the words that are coming out of his mouth, but it has nothing to do with his British accent. Next, however, Rampage has some kind words for Kimbo, after making a few jokes about his beard of course. He says he really likes Kimbo because he is so humble and a lot of people don't really get to see that. By now in the episode, it is clear that Slice is starting to take this sport very seriously. He knows there is so much on the line, but hes ready for the challenge.

Kimbos opponent, Roy Nelson is shown saying how he already knows that he can beat Kimbo, hands down. What he is basically stating is that he doesn't even have to try that much or hit too hard. He just has to keep punching him until the fight is stopped (foreshadowing much?). This guy comes off as one of the biggest tools in the show, so luckily they didn't give him too much camera time. Next, we see Kimbo talking to fellow contender and ex-NFL player, Marcus Jones. Slice gives him a lot or respect and even says that he sees himself in Jones.

When the two finally meet up at the weigh-in's Kimbo Slice weighs in at 230 and Roy "Big Country" Nelson tips the scale at a heavy 264. The heavyweight bout is set and ready to go. It is finally time for Kimbo Slice to prove himself and show that he is worth of being a part of the UFC, no strings attached.


Almost as soon at the fight starts, Nelson is looking to take Slice down. Kimbo was able to resist it at first, but eventually is taken down, after getting in some good jabs and leg kicks. Once he was on the ground, Nelson just layed on him with little punches over and over again. It didn't seem Kimbo was hurt too bad, he just literally could not get up. Nelson was 14lbs. heavier than himself, so he was stuck. No matter if the punches were hurting him or not, there a slim chance that anyone could break out of that. That is how pretty much of the first round went. Boring but Nelson landing some shots and keeping Kimbo down, but it wasn't pretty

Round two opened with Kimbo giving Nelson a nice punch, but eventually takes Nelson to the ground. That as the beginning of the end for Kimbo Slice. The take down led right back to where they were the round before. Nelson laying on Slice, with mount, and then possessed side control. Once he had that, he just started swinging and Herb Dean was forced to call the fight. Roy Nelson was walking around after the fight like he just had one of the most amazing fights of his career. The last thing he needs to do is start walking around like hes on the top of the world after that performance. He did nothing but lay on his opponent and punch him a couple times. Nothing to be too proud of, and Dana White made that quite clear as well.

All of the buildup to the fight and that was it. It was like going to see a movie you've been wanting to see for so long and loving it all the way through and then the ending leaves you feeling jipped. It was clear that Kimbo had progressed and definitely has room for improvement, as the season goes on. Even Dana White seemed pretty impressed. He gave this guy that he publicly bad mouthed all over the world, a chance to step into the ring as a real UFC fighter. He may not have won the fight but he definitely took this seriously and wanted it just as bad as the next person.

I'll be the first one to say it, I despised Kimbo Slice. I couldn't even bring myself to watch the Elite XC MMA fights that he was in because it just all seemed so fake to me. My opinions of that hasn't changed, but my opinion of Kimbo has. Now I feel that the persona that he possessed in the past was almost like a character that he was playing. It wasn't the real Kimbo Slice. The real Kimbo is a self proclaimed"family man" and a person who actually has the desire to learn and absorb all there is to know about the sport. Event before this episode aired I didn't care for him much, but seeing a little bit of the person that he is, it seems that he isn't that bad of a guy. I used to put him on the level of UFC fighter Brock Lesner. Lesner is a former WWE wrestler so he thought he had what it takes to become a UFC champion, with little work. Lesnar is one of those people who always have something belittling to say about their opponent and think that they are the greatest thing God has put on this earth. He has a personality that is so unlikable that it makes you hate the guy. However, there have been many interviews with him and Countdown shows focusing on Brock, and it's obvious that tat is just the type of person he is. Arrogant, obnoxious, and thinks he is the best in the sport because he can lay on someone and throw some bombs. That is how i used to think Kimbo was too, until now. It's obvious that he is willing to learn and is eager to keep fighting, maybe one day for the UFC. And by the sound of it, Dana is TOTALLY opposed to the idea in the future.