MMA News and UFC Betting Odds

And the winner of the most recent MMAmania.com caption contest is:

“Introducing the newest additions to EliteXC’s heavyweight division.”

Congratulations to MMAmania.com reader “James S” for the winning entry. As promised, we’ll send you an MMAmania.com t-shirt for being the best of the bunch.

With a total of 266 entries, it wasn’t easy coming up with a winner. For those of you who are scratching your heads over my pick, keep in mind this process is entirely subjective. It was all a matter of making me laugh.

Usually that honor is reserved for Mr. Mania’s physical shortcomings, but in this case it was the caption by site regular James S.

If anyone cares, Josh Barnett defeated Tank Abbott in the main event of the Inoki Genome Federation’s August 15 pro wrestling event.

Try to contain yourselves.

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Josh Barnett, MMA News, Tank Abbott

Josh Barnett will face Tank Abbott in the main event of the Inoki Genome Federation’s August 15 pro wrestling event.

Hopefully, he doesn’t get injured attempting a Superfly Snuka and spoil his bout with Andrei Arlovski on October 11 at Affliction ‘Day of Reckoning’.

Of course a picture like this just begs for a caption.

Best submission below in the comments section wins an MMAmania.com t-shirt.

Let’s see what you got.

Josh Barnett, MMA News, Tank Abbott

MMA Fighting Videos, Tank Abbott, elite xc, kimbo slice, mma

In a recent article by ESPN writer Michael Woods focusing on what lies ahead for recent Kimbo Slice victim, David “Tank” Abbott, there are a couple of quotes from UFC president Dana White on the recent EliteXC event.

White gives respect to Abbott but not to the recent Showtime production. EliteXC: Street Certified has now been lumped into the same category as Fedor Emelianenko with Dana White labelling the recent event a ‘farce’.

UFC president Dana White watched the Slice-Abbott fight Saturday after taking in the Kelly Pavlik-Jermain Taylor fight.

He prefers that Abbott call it a day.

“I think the whole thing was a farce,” White said of the EliteXC promotion. “I love Tank. I have nothing but respect for him; he’s always been good to me. But I don’t want to see that again.”

White would like Abbott to concentrate on the book and his next logical out-of-the-cage career move.

The article finished with Dana White making somewhat of a surprising statement.

“Tank Abbott,” White said, “absolutely will be in our Hall of Fame.”

I know half of you probably choked on your cereal when you read that but you have to admit that Tank Abbott was an integral part in the development of MMA. Tank Abbott is a constant reminder of how far the sport has come and in the earlier years he was the yardstick as to whether or not your ’style’ worked.  That being said, I find it very hard to picture a ceremony in which the guest of honor is Tank Abbott.

***

The ESPN article also featured some post-fight comments from Tank. In defeat Abbott seemed impressed with Kimbo’s progression as a fighter.

Kimbo definitely came out differently than I thought he would. He’s improved his punches; they are straighter. He didn’t come out like he did in his videos. But I was whacking him, and he wasn’t moving, like a telephone pole. Usually when I hit someone, they move.

Get more MMA news and Opinion on FiveOuncesOfPain.com

Dana White, MMA News, Tank Abbott, kimbo slice

Here are the EliteXC 4: Kimbo vs. Tank fighter payouts released by the Florida State Athletic Commission, reported by MMAMainia.

As usual main event fighters cleaned up as the rest of the group, fought for scraps.

Kimbo Slice and Tank Abbott had no problem getting paid, with Kimbo pulling in an impressive $50K win bonus for his first round KO.

Another winner was James Thompson who was paid 25k to get knocked out in the first round.

Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson - $175,000 ($125,000 to show, $50,000 to win)
David “Tank” Abbott - $126,000
Kimbo defeated Tank by KO (punch) 43 seconds into the first round

Antonio Silva - $80,000
Ricco Rodriguez - $20,000
Silva defeated Ricco by split decision

Scott Smith - $12,000
Kyle Noke - $3,000
Smith defeated Noke by KO (punch) 7 seconds into round 2

Yves Edwards - $6,000
Edson Berto - $6,000
Yves defeated Berto by KO (knee) with 4 seconds left in round 1

Brett Rogers - $4,000
James Thompson - $25,000
Brett Rogers defeated Thompson by KO (punch) at 2:24 of round 1

Rafael Fiejao - $6,000
John Doyle - $2,500
Fiejao defeated Doyle by TKO at 2:17 of round 1

Yosmany Cabazes - $2,000
Jon Kirk - $2,500
Cabazes defeated Kirk by submission (rear naked choke) at :52 of round 2

Dave Herman - $1,500
Mario Rinaldi - $2,000
Herman defeated Rinaldi by TKO 33 seconds into round 3

Eric Bradley - $1,000
Mikey Gomez - $1,500
Bradley defeated Gomez by unanimous decision

Mike Bernhard - $1,500
Lorenzo Borgameo - $1,000
Bernhard defeated Borgameo by submission (triangle) at 4:11 of round 2

Moyses Gabin — $1,000
Jirka Hlavaty — $500
Gabin defeated Hlavaty via technical knockout (cut) in round one

As usual these numbers don’t include signing bonuses, sponsorships, licensing fees, taxes and other promotional pay.

EliteXC, James Thompson, MMA News, News, Showtime, Tank Abbott, kimbo slice

Props: ESPN.com

Quoteworthy:

“I think the whole thing was a farce [the EliteXC promotion]. I love Tank. I have nothing but respect for him; he’s always been good to me. But I don’t want to see that again…. Tank Abbott absolutely will be in our Hall of Fame.”

UFC President Dana White comments on the recent spectacle that was Kimbo Slice vs. Tank Abbott at the EliteXC: “Street Certified” show on February 16 from the BankUnited Center in Miami, Fla. He also reveals that he has a seat waiting for Abbott once he decides to hang up the gloves. That would mean Abbott would be enshrined alongside Octagon pioneers such as Royce Gracie, Randy Couture, Dan Severn, Ken Shamrock and soon-to-be inductee, Mark Coleman.

(Thanks to CombatLifestyle.com for the post-fight Abbott pic with his yellow short bus and lady friend.)

Dana White, MMA News, Tank Abbott, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

There were a few readers asking about the fighter payouts for EliteXC: “Street Certified,” which took place on February 16 from the BankUnited Center in Miami, Fla.

MMAmania.com just received those figures from the Florida State Boxing Commission.

There’s some interesting paydays for some of the combatants to say the least. Main eventer Kimbo Slice received $175,000 for 43 seconds of work. I guess putting butts in the seats puts dollars in your pocket.

Keep in mind that’s not counting his sponsorships, either. It’s safe to say that he’s no longer saying, “Give me my bread,” but rather, “I’ve got my bread, now I want my cheese.”

His opponent, Tank Abbott, took home $126,000, which is not bad for a fighter who has won once in the last decade.

James Thompson earned $25,000 in a first round knockout loss to Brett Rogers, while Rogers only pocketed $4,000. That was one of four fights on the card where the loser made more than the winner.

Here’s all the payouts for EliteXC: “Street Certified:”

Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson - $175,000 ($125,000 to show, $50,000 to win)
David “Tank” Abbott - $126,000
Kimbo defeated Tank by KO (punch) 43 seconds into the first round

Antonio Silva - $80,000
Ricco Rodriguez - $20,000
Silva defeated Ricco by split decision

Scott Smith - $12,000
Kyle Noke - $3,000
Smith defeated Noke by KO (punch) 7 seconds into round 2

Yves Edwards - $6,000
Edson Berto - $6,000
Yves defeated Berto by KO (knee) with 4 seconds left in round 1

Brett Rogers - $4,000
James Thompson - $25,000
Brett Rogers defeated Thompson by KO (punch) at 2:24 of round 1

Rafael Fiejao - $6,000
John Doyle - $2,500
Fiejao defeated Doyle by TKO at 2:17 of round 1

Yosmany Cabazes - $2,000
Jon Kirk - $2,500
Cabazes defeated Kirk by submission (rear naked choke) at :52 of round 2

Dave Herman - $1,500
Mario Rinaldi - $2,000
Herman defeated Rinaldi by TKO 33 seconds into round 3

Eric Bradley - $1,000
Mikey Gomez - $1,500
Bradley defeated Gomez by unanimous decision

Mike Bernhard - $1,500
Lorenzo Borgameo - $1,000
Bernhard defeated Borgameo by submission (triangle) at 4:11 of round 2

Moyses Gabin — $1,000
Jirka Hlavaty — $500
Gabin defeated Hlavaty via technical knockout (cut) in round one

It looks like Gary Shaw gets his main event and co main event fighters paid very well. We could see more guys moving over to fight for EliteXC if they can earn paychecks like that.

Keep in mind the salaries listed above do not include fight bonuses, sponsorships, percentages and other unofficial payments. It also does not include deductions for expenses such as insurance, taxes, etc.

For EliteXC: “Street Certified” results coverage click here and here.

EliteXC, MMA News, Tank Abbott, kimbo slice

Here’s the fight that every MMA site, for better or worse, was talking about over the weekend. Big thanks to SHOWTIME for putting this up on their site for general usage. Didn’t see Kimbo demolish Tank? Here’s your chance.

EliteXC, MMA News, Tank Abbott, kimbo slice

***New Article, 25 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About MMA***

Not nearly as good as the old Pride ref cam fights, but its still interesting to watch even though its terrible quality.

MMA Fighting Videos, Tank Abbott, elite xc, kimbo slice, mma fight videos

Photos posted with permission from www.combatlifestyle.com, for more pics click HERE.

Lots more EliteXC: Street Certified content here.

EliteXC, MMA News, Tank Abbott, kimbo slice