TWICBS

Ever been to an aquarium?

For those of you who answered yes, walk with me here for a brief journey.

You enter the building, breeze past the cafe, briefly stop to glance at the saltwater fish, the krill, the bottom feeders and amazon fish.

You give nods and feigned interest over what the little plaques on the wall beneath the multi-ton tank says. You soak up the small, general details and move on your merry way.

Finally, a pursuit and wait, you run across the main attraction– the Great White Sharks.

While those sharks are a far cry from being the most graceful glider, nor the most colorful or pleasing to the eye; ever notice yourself spending the most amount of time at their exhibits?

Sure, there’s a majority of people here reading this who are lovers of aquatic life. The main reason you go is for pure enjoyment, and you get just as much satisfaction; while spending as much time looking at the yellow longnose, green neon, jellyfish and East African chichilid.

Reality however? Most of the visitors are there to see the sharks.

Welcome to the modern world of Mixed Martial Arts.

Over the last five years, with the growth of this sport from one with a hardcore, rabid following solely, to one with more and more casual fans– a majority coming in knowing the bareknuckles basics about the sport, we’ve grown to see more and more household names put in the spotlight.

Case in point, Kimbo Slice.

Ten years ago, the artist formerly known as Kevin Ferguson was a virtual unknown. Sure, he was a successful football player at Miami Palmetto High School. With these abilities, he was able to catch on with the University of Miami’s football team, and later parlayed his success to a tryout with the Miami Dolphins.

In 2003, Ferguson made his first steps into the world of fame by participating in unsanctioned coordinated brawls, which were often held in boatyards or parking lots in various points of Miami.

What started out as glorified backyard wrestling, No Holds Barred, old school UFC (minus the submissions) slowly, but steadily gained a cult following. Before long, Kevin Ferguson, by this point dubbed Kimbo Slice, became a household name.

Slice took that success and decided to take the next step, parlaying his Youtube success into a stab at an MMA career. Slice started out training under the watchful eye of the legendary Bas Rutten. Before long, he was making his debut in the sport, and being predominantly featured on MMA shows.

While Slice’s internet appeal led to a new crop of fans, a large number of the hardcore fanbase and a number of Slice’s peers in MMA had a less than complimentary view of him.

What can and should be said about Slice is this. In the aquarium, Kimbo Slice is the shark. for good, bad or indifferent, he is the attraction people pay to see.

With that said, Kimbo Slice (and the other names of recognition who matriculate into the fold) is GOOD for the sport.

On a talent perspective, yes he has a lot to learn and grow from, I truly believe Slice himself would be the first to admit that he’s got some holes in his game that need fixed, and in terms of his overall future, he still needs a few pieces tinkered with to run completely.

However, what I ultimately fail to comprehend is the views of those who still remain critical.

Kimbo Slice has brought forth a new crop of fans who likely otherwise wouldn’t have followed the sport. For those who fight on the same cards as he does, those fighters themselves get recognition in the eyes of the casual fan, because they remain the warmup act for the concert they’re waiting for. At the end of the day, it’s a win-win situation.

A prime example of fighters benefitting from Slice is Seth Petruzelli. Whereas Petruzelli was far and away an established name in MMA, a career which including a run in the UFC and an appearance on the Ultimate Fighter Season 2, he became as much of a household name by defeating Slice. On a talent perspective, Petruzelli has far bigger wins in his career, however on a money perspective? His win over Slice propelled him to a recognized level that he had worked for over 10 years to reach.

Don’t get me mistaken here.. Whether Kimbo Slice ever wins a title is in question; in the UFC all signs point to him not.

However, at the end of the day, the Kimbo Slices of this world are good for the sport. If for no other reason than for the new fans who will begin following the sport religiously as a result of his Youtube fanbase luring them in.

Remember, people love an attraction, regardless of their previous love or support of the activity. Just ask the shark.

Agree, Disagree? Think he’s full of insight or full of crap? Either way, email him and let him know! Email Jay Pagliaro your views at jay.pagliaro@gmail.com or leave your comments below!