Yes, I want to write about Saturday's EliteXC main event. Let me get the extraneous (and I think obvious) stuff out of the way first. I said a while back that EliteXC is pretty much finished. It might merge with someone to survive, but its stand alone life is near its end. Also, I am well aware that Ken is about 5 years past his proper retirement age. And that Arlovski vs. Nelson is a much more technically savvy fight that may deserve the headlining role. That's not what I want to discuss.

I do want to discuss what I think should happen in the Kimbo-Shamrock fight. Despite Ken's age, one-dimensionality and smaller size, he is a professional martial artist, one who has been in the sport of MMA since 1993. I believe that barring a lucky shot KO, Ken should dominate and win the fight.

Kimbo is a fierce street fighter, has natural KO power and has been training in MMA for about a year. But none of this should present threats to someone of Ken's caliber. Aggression and power alone do not faze trained MMA players. Witness Houston Alexander's downfall. Kimbo's cardio is weak, and power fades quickly. Witness James "Glass Chin" Thompson lasting to 3rd round. Despite the training, Kimbo's ground game is not yet internalized and gets even worse as cardio fades (witness James Thompson's dominance in the second round). So, if Ken trains a bit, comes up with a strategy (I'd suggest weather the storm, take down, attack legs or neck) and has his head in the fight, it should be a walk in the park. I'd go as far as to say that if the fight goes into the second round (and Kimbo loses some steam), Ken should be able to toy with Kimbo a bit. The disparity in the skills is that wide.

Alas, Kimbo does have one thing going for him--popularity (which equals ratings). So, in reality, I think Ken will lose, unless of course, "the night of the fight" he "feels a slight sting."

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