While I’ve never been a huge comic book fan, I’ve always really enjoyed the alternate arcs and universes of the traditional superhero stories. I’ve especially enjoyed Marvel’s “What if…” stories. It never fails to make me reflect on life and how different life would be if certain events had transpired differently.
So…what if Kimbo Slice had fought Ken Shamrock?
October 20th, 2008
EliteXC announced today it would be closing its doors after less than two years in operation. Director Gary Shaw officially released all fighters from their contracts.
Problems began after the now infamous October 4th card. The night began well with a fantastic performance from Gina Carano and an exciting rematch between champion Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith. Things then took a turn for the worse in the main event.
Ken Shamrock, winless in his previous five fights, looked visibly intimated from the moment he stepped in the cage. At the sound of the bell, Shamrock cautiously stepped forward as opponent Kimbo Slice took the center of the ring. After a brief exchange, Slice landed a left hand that would change the landscape of MMA.
The shot staggered Shamrock back into the fence. The Miami native smelled blood and rushed in to finish. Shamrock did nothing but cover up while Slice unloaded a barrage of hooks and uppercuts. After a devastating left to the body, Shamrock crumpled to the mat. Referee Dan Miragliotta, caught out of position during the melee, allowed ten seconds of more punishment before stepping in.
It only took a few moments before those in attendance sense something was wrong. Shamrock lay motionless against the fence while ringside doctors looked at him. After a tense fifteen minutes, the “World’s Most Dangerous Man” was carried off on a stretcher.
In the two weeks following the bout, the sport has been put to the test by the mainstream media and politicians. Angry mothers called local CBS affiliates complaining about the incident. Dana White, when asked for comment, said, “I’ve been building this sport for ten years, and these [expletive] [expletive] it up in ten minutes.”
Shamrock, in a coma since the fight, has been given an optimistic outlook by doctors.