Who caught Kimbo's MMA debut last night?

[Munkymagic]

This whole thing of Kimbo v Tank is a joke surely? Maybe 10 years ago but not now. Tank is old and very outta shape, he gases in the first round and has no other attributes apart from a huge punch.

I could beat tank. I'd run and let him hit air for 2 and a half mins and then when he is knackered take him down and get him in some kinda easy sub.

Ok then...maybe i wouldn't

[Heavy D]

For starters, I'm not saying Kimbo is as good as Mike ever was, by a long shot. But he is the closest thing we have seen, and probably will see for a long time. He has a very similar bob and weave style from everything I've seen, with the addition of size and a potentially better chin (no real knowing at this point, although Kimbo did look terrible against Gannon). But I'm wagering this is the closest we can get. I think Kimbo has already proven Mike would have demolished the lower level competition (e.g. Cantrell). I look forward to seeing him in a prolonged bout.

But let me state this here: The Kimbo that you see in the bareknuckle fights is a can. The Kimbo we see in the ring is a whole different animal. I have ALWAYS hated Kimbo for being a scrub that can hit hard with a minimal at best amount of training. But when BAS FUCKING RUTTEN says that he is one of the best and the most dedicated students he has ever had, I take that to heart. Bas is no joke. He is (to me) THE best "old school" MMAist (over Royce, the Shamrocks, et al.). He trains hard and doesnt fuck around when it comes to brass tacks. Kimbo has yet to face any opposition worth mentioning, but when Bas Rutten says he is good, I believe Bas. Look for Kimbo to dominate his next few fights, then fight some serious competion. He'll probably win one, then lose one pretty badly against a legit MMAist. Then look for him to come back with a vengeance and dominate the lesser circuits and potentially compete well in a more "big time" circuit like the UFC, but probably never win a belt.

[Von Milash]

At his age, he probably won't win a belt, but I think that in a year or so he'll be able to challenge the sport's top fighters because, A) he hits like a friggin truck, and B) he'll get better under BAS, and C) even right now he's probably as strong if not stronger than most guys in the sport.

I agree though that kimbo validates the idea that Mike would have killed someone. As I've always said, they all start standing, and it's easier said than done to take a guy down when he's got devastating power like Mike did.

The more I watch mma and see who makes it to the top, I'm starting to believe that the only guys that would have a chance against mike in his prime are world class (meaning Olympic) wrestlers, like Randy. BJJ, IMO, isn't as good at getting a guy down....it's good for when you're there though.