by Joseph Barnabei

Created on: December 20, 2008   Last Updated: January 05, 2009

Let me begin by saying that I am a huge fan of MMA and am truly honored to have been able to watch this sport develop and evolve. With that said, asking if Kimbo is the best fighter in MMA is a vague question. It has been fighters like Kimbo throughout the adolescence of UFC and other venues that have made the sport what it is today. For example, consider how and where the UFC would be today if Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock had never been in it. They could be the reason I am writing right now. It is not just the fighting skills that make a fighter the best or worst. It is also what these fighters do for OUR sport.

Think of "The Natural" Randy Corture, Matt Huges, and yes, Kimbo Slice. They have all brought a following to MMA and all will have their place in MMA history. These are the types of fighters that are necessary to keep the sport functional. Second, lets assume this question is being asked to an individual that controls marketing and publicity for one of the MMA venues. In this type of role, the answer could easily be Kimbo Slice.

Legends like Fedor, Cro Cop, and Mir are great fighters but if they are the main event on a card, I'll save my $50.00 and watch it on-line the next day. Give me a Kimbo Slice vs Randy Corture card, however, and I'll pony up the dough (even if I know the end result). MMA, like boxing right now, desperately needs a few icons. Who are the stars of the sport right now? Brock Lesnar, Forrest Griffen, Georges St. Pierre, and Anderson Silva? As they are all great fighters, they lack the charisma needed in the sport right now.

We need the fighters like Matt Huges, Randy Corture, Ken Shamrock, and Kimbo to keep this sport alive. Unfortunately, raw talent does not do the job alone. Throughout boxing history, fighters like Mohammed Ali, Mike Tyson, and Floyd Maywether have entered the scene and helped reignite the passion for the sport that many had let die. Although MMA is still growing, the sport is ready to be taken to that next level and Kimbo may be the answer.

I do not believe that Kimbo could enter the ring and win many (if any) fights but I do believe Kimbo is the best fighter in MMA at this very moment because of the opportunity he brings to the sport. I have been following MMA since the very first UFC and I am sure there are scores of people that will strongly disagree with me about this article but I hope that everyone keeps the big picture in mind for MMA.

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