Kimbo training for his fight against Tank

[Tom Yum]

Kimbo's boxing game is looking tighter, much more explosive than his backyard brawl days. He looks more fit too. Considering his MMA win against a pro-boxer and his corner folks (Bas), I think he's going to take the fight to Tank.

[Ghost]

another good find by you tomyum, is it me or does the guy look like hes puffing after just a few seconds of pad work?
maybe hes just trying to line the shots up or something but thats some sloowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww padwork.

his boxing technique has some way to go yet. personally i think hed be better off spending more time on the ground as he at least has some good experience stand up which can make up alot for lack of tech.

[Tom Yum]

Thanks, Ghost.

His punches are slow because he is a big man, but I believe they pack alot of power. He has good boxing fundamentals with alot of power. He could be slightly gassed, but when you're over 250-lbs its hard to keep your gas I reckon.

His last victory showed that he also has the fundamentals of the clinch and ground game; areas that are Tank's historical weakness.

[Ghost]

no doubt those punches will hurt, will be an interesting fight. i think he could be faster at his size still.

[TopDog]

He looks Pretty good, Tank is not going to win

[Tom Yum]

It depends on what Tank is doing now to prepare for this fight.

If he's working with a good coach to strengthen his weaknesses, he'll come out ready.

[seany85]

Am looking forward to see how kimbo fares.

[DickHardman]

hmm, i didnt see kimbos corner man, the milf hunter, anywhere around in that video.

[Tom Yum]

Am looking forward to see how kimbo fares.

Tank is somewhat of a gateway fighter for good MMA fighters. The guys that have beat him went on to become respectable names in MMA if they weren't already: Oleg Taktarov, Maurice Smith, Dan Severn, Vitor Belfort.

Guys who lost haven't done much: Paul Varelans, John Matua etc.

A victory over Tank could be a good omen for Kimbo's MMA career.

On the other hand, since we don't know what Tank's doing he could very well come out leaner, meaner and demonstrate some improved wrestling skills, better ground control and exert his will on Kimbo with his ground and pound style.

[Tom Yum]

Here's a highlight of Tank. He had an impressive knockout of Cabbage Correira.

[Ghost]

yeah its probably the best mma match up for kimbo as he doesnt have to worry about someone having any real skill as such.
Agree his weight training has let him down here, he lookslike he trains for size rather than any functional strength.
I wonder if tanks experience in this type of fighting will see him win this.
I dont really know, one things for certain, there wont be much skill going on!
alot of wild swinging and out of breath looks will be the order of the day.

[Tom Yum]

Here's Kimbo's last MMA match



His punches were tighter than during his backyard brawl days and he's learned some ground work; gets a double leg dump on Mercer and then sumbits him by guilotine while in the guard.

I honesly thought he would get KO'd by Mercer, expecting him to be the same brawler as before, but he actually came out with as much technique as agression.

I agree that Kimbo is no match for top MMA athletes; but its too early to tell. He's just getting started in MMA.

[bigboywasim]

Kimbo can be good if he trains hard like he is doing. Start with lower ranking fighters and build your way to th top is good for him.

Kimbo Slice vs Tank Abbott
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[DickHardman]

His punches were tighter than during his backyard brawl days and he's learned some ground work; gets a double leg dump on Mercer and then sumbits him by guilotine while in the guard.

I honesly thought he would get KO'd by Mercer, expecting him to be the same brawler as before, but he actually came out with as much technique as agression.

nah man, kimbo had been training very hard with bas rutten. i knew kimbo was going to elevate his game greatly, and in this match he displayed a whole new set of skills. remember in the backyard brawl days when his corner would break it up if there was any clinching or grappling that took place? now he looks like he is confortable grappling, as we saw him slap on that guillotine from the guard.

I agree that Kimbo is no match for top MMA athletes....

i disagree tom, i think at this point kimbo may be too much for some top mma athletes to handle. he is not the same guy we saw, fighting in backyards so pornographers, gang members, and k-fed wannabe wiggers could throw down cash on him while they smoked blunts and drank henessy. its the same power and aggression for sure, but with completely new skills. kimbo is going to be a huge mma star, and that is why bas took him under his wing. bas knew how much potential kimbo had. this guy is going to tear up mma. i bet you he will destroy tank abbot just like he did to those fools in the backyard brawls.

[Tom Yum]

I disagree with both of you guys, allow me to explain:

Hardman, Kimbo is not anywhere near the shape he needs to be in to face a competitive MMA fighter and he doesn't have enough experience against tough opponents. He might be able to go all out in one round, but would spend all of his gas and take a beating. Do you think Kimbo could physically outlast and outfight a Chuck Liddell? A Randy Coture? A Frank Shamrock? I don't think he could handle Cung Le, a man who would give up 70-lbs to Kimbo, but has more than enough experience and just enough poewr to get the job done.

However, I believe Kimbo has demonstrated skills that he hasn't before; he demonstrated fundamental boxing technique with power under pressure, he dumped Mercer, pulled into guard and got a guillotine. That's the fundamentals of MMA. His strategy was to avoid giving Mercer distance to box; he executed that strategy showing that he listened to his advisor, rather than try to throw haymakers.

Mike, seeing the above and the folks he's dropped from his crew, he's decided to change the people whom he surrounds himeslf with. That's a good move and symbolic of his desire to compete to win.