It appears that MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) has finally hit the big time fans! This weekend is going to be huge for fans of the sport as CBS will be airing EliteXC’s PRIMETIME Event on tonight @ 9pm ET. EliteXC is going to make this event one that the primetime crowd will remember too.

KIMBO SLICE v. JAMES THOMPSON
To take advantage of the primetime debut EliteXC will be unleashing Kimbo Slice in the main event against James Thompson. I’m not really well versed in EliteXC fighters, but I think everyone knows who Kimbo Slice is and what a beast he is in the street fighting world. This will be Slice’s third professional fight in MMA with a record of 2 - 0. Both wins came via knockout; his last fight was a :43 knockout win of MMA legend Tank Abbott. Many like myself believe that Slice is still too green and has yet to be challenged by anyone of true MMA talent. Many fighters and wrestlers step into the ring and think they can take on the best only to get submitted by someone with true talent. I’m sure EliteXC will continue to build on the hype for a few more fights until they give Slice a true challenge.

GINA ‘CONVICTION’ CARANO v. KAITLIN YOUNG
The other fight of interest to me is the ladies matchup. Gina Carano (you may know her as “Crush” from American Gladiators) is going to step into the ring against Kaitlin Young. I don’t know much about young, but I know that Carano is one bad mamma! She’s got killer looks and killer skills inside the ring; I’m sure she could probably kick the crap out of GMB. Carano holds a 5-0-0 record with her last decision coming by submission (rear-naked choke). She’s climbing the ranks at EliteXC and is currently ranked #7 in the women’s division.

There are three other fights on the card tonight, but none that carry the weight that these two do. Everyone will be tuning in for sure to see the internet phenomenon that is Kimbo Slice…that’s for certain. Search for Kimbo on YouTube to see what I mean (18 and over please). Here’s the rest of the fight card for tonight:

  • Robbie Lawler v. Scott Smith
  • Phil Baroni v. Joey Villaseñor
  • Brett Rogers v. Jon Murphy

I’m interested to see how the ratings look for this first ever nationally televised fight. I think it will definitely draw bigger numbers than expected. What do you guys think? Do you think MMA has a place to be televised on the major networks? Are you fans of the sport or could you care less? Let’s hear what you think! I look forward to your comments.

~ GrandmasterB