The UFC's flagship program "The Ultimate Fighter" has been struggling in recent years to regain it's the popularity it initially had with TUF 1. Well, this week might just be the shot in the arm the show needs to get it's swagger back. Internet knockout artist, Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson, will be taking on the rotund former heavyweight champ of the IFL, Roy "Big Country" Nelson.
Breakdown: We all know the story with Kimbo; he's coming into this fight looking to land some big punches and knock Roy out. Simple as that. From what he showed in his stint in EliteXC, the ground game is basically non-existant to Mr. Slice. Obviously that could have changed in the year since the fall of EliteXC, especially if it is true that he is training at American Top Team in Florida, but expect Kimbo to stick to his bread and butter. The problem is, if Roy can withstand the fury of Kimbo and get the fight to the mat, it's pretty much over. Nelson is a decorated BJJ black belt who holds competition wins over UFC fighters Frank Mir, Brandon Vera, Diego Sanchez, and may have been one horrible stand-up away from an MMA submission win over Andrei Arlovski. The x-factors in the fight will be Nelson's stand up and his chin. Roy does have some good stand up skills, as evidenced by his victory over Brad Imes, but his best bet to win the fight would be to get Kimbo down and work his submission game. I wouldn't put it past Roy to engage in a stand up battle though, with Kimbo seeing as his chin is somewhat of a question mark.
Pick: If Nelson isn't stupid, this is his fight to lose. Theoretically, Roy is better and more experienced than Kimbo anywhere the fight goes. That said, if Kimbo connects, it could be all over the belly rubbing former champ. It's possible, but don't expect it to happen. No Seth Petruzelli type finish, but a pretty decisive victory for "Big Country". Roy Nelson by unanimous decision
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