Report: "Kimbo" vs. Thompson set for EliteXC-CBS main event

Originally posted by MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] on Apr 08, 2008 at 8:01 pm in

- News -

As expected, Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson (2-0) will meet James Thompson (14-8) in the main event of the very first EliteXC event on CBS.

Our friend Mike Chiappetta of NBCSports.com today confirmed the May 31 bout, citing a source close to one of the fighters.

EliteXC is expected to officially announce the heavyweight clash, which will cap off the first-ever MMA event on major U.S. network television, later this week.

The event takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. and airs in a primetime slot on Saturday night.

The possibility of the Ferguson-Thompson fight was first reported by fiveouncesofpain.com, which also reported that Ron Waterman was the organization's first choice for Ferguson's opponent but that a deal couldn't be reached.

Ferguson, who rose to fame as underground fighter marketed on YouTube and other video-sharing sites, has since teamed up with Bas Rutten to train MMA. After an exhibition victory over Ray Mercer, Ferguson posted a 19-second TKO of Bo Cantrell and a 43-second KO of David "Tank" Abbott. Both fights took place with EliteXC, with whom Ferguson has signed a long-term contract.

Thompson, a British fighter who's lost six of his past eight fights, previously fought for Cage Rage and PRIDE. He most recently suffered a first-round knockout to Brett Rogers at EliteXC's February show in Miami, Fla.

The May 31 EliteXC event is the first of four that will air on CBS over the next year.

Also slated to take place at the debut event is a EliteXC middleweight championship bout between title-holder Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith. Additionally, Phil Baroni meets Murilo "Ninja" Rua, and Tom Murphy takes on Brett Rogers. In women's action, Gina Carano is expected to meet Kaitlin Young.