Anyone who has chosen to follow the world of mixed martial arts is well aware that some personalities have left an unforgettable impression upon the sport. One shining example is the meteoric rise and sudden departure of Kimbo Slice. This all-around athlete tragically died of heart failure in 2016 at the age of only 42. While his tenure was relatively short within the octagon, there is no doubt that he left a lasting impression upon fans and competitors alike. This is why we are left wondering just how far this powerhouse could have gone in his prime condition. Let’s take a look at why Kimbo Slice brought so much to the sport, his strengths and his potential weaknesses.
Aggression Personified
Many online sources used the world “overly aggressive” to describe Kimbo Slice in his prime. This was not entirely untrue. One glance at his widely publicised YouTube fights clearly illustrates that the man did not mind taking more than a bit of punishment. This is why it only made sense that he eventually migrated into the world of MMA.
The Strength of Street Knowledge
The simple fact of the matter is that Slice essentially grew up fighting on the streets. No gloves, no timeouts and very few qualified referees. He had grown accustomed to hardcore brawls and he did indeed face some formidable opponents over the years. This is why it only stands to reason that he had few qualms with donning a pair of gloves and stepping into the octagon. The only question involves whether this transition was entirely too quick.
What About the Ground Game?
As his early fight videos highlight, Slice was primarily concerned with stand-up confrontations. Some opponents would have had better luck hitting all wild symbols within a five-reel online slots game than actually tagging the man. The only problem with this was that Slice was relatively unfamiliar with the ground-and-pound style that has come to define the MMA. This placed him at a disadvantage and while he was able to overcome such situations, he was never truly comfortable on his back.
This is why we have to wonder what would have happened if Kimbo was able to learn such techniques. Although some will argue that he was already well past his prime when entering the octagon, nothing is for certain. It should also be noted that Slice fended off some of the most impressive names in the business. Tank Abbott is a perfect example.
A Tragically Short Career
Unfortunately, the questions and theories posed above will never be answered. Although Kimbo Slice only had a short tenure within the world of MMA, there is no doubt that he left an indelible impression upon his countless fans.
This leaves us wondering what next street personality will enter the octagon to take on formidable opponents. Either way, the future of the entire sport looks bright and Kimbo Slice is a name which will continue to be recognised as the years go by.