MMA News: 51 Year Old Ken Shamrock Will Return To Face Kimbo Slice On June 20
According to several media outlets today, former UFC and WWE star Ken Shamrock will be returning to MMA this summer to face Kimbo Slice.
Shamrock was once the biggest star in the world of mixed martial arts, taking part in the first ever Ultimate Fighting Championship event in 1993, where he lost to Royce Gracie in the tournament finals. That event put the UFC and Shamrock on the map. Ken went on to win the first ever UFC Superfight Championship at UFC 6 by defeating Dan Severn, resulting in him being awarded the company’s first ever championship belt. That belt eventually became the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
The fight that almost happened, well, it's happening! #BellatorMMA http://t.co/rIwvjFFUBM pic.twitter.com/VhUbaiHa9K
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) February 26, 2015
Shamrock holds an all time mixed martial arts record of 28-15-2. His last fight occurred in 2010 when Shamrock lost via TKO to Mike Bourke at King of the Cage: Platinum. Shamrock holds a record of 3-7 in his last 10 professional fights, which occurred between the years 2004-2010. During that period, Shamrock was scheduled to face Kimbo Slice at a 2008 EliteXC event. The day of the show, Shamrock pulled out of the fight.
Ken Shamrock issued a statement today concerning his return to the sport that originally made him a household name.
“I am back. It’s good to be performing again for my fans. I feel great and my health is great. Age should never be a factor if an athlete is healthy, in great shape and has the drive to continue their sport. I will quit fighting when I want to. Kimbo Slice and I have some unfinished business. I am a fighter. That’s who I am.”
Kimbo Slice, real name Kevin Ferguson, originally became famous via videos uploaded to the internet. He eventually signed a professional fighting contract with EliteXC in 2007, and he later participated in the UFC’s Ultimate Fighter contest. Following a defeat at UFC 113 against Matt Mitrione, Slice took his career to professional boxing. His all time MMA record stands at 4-2, but Slice holds a professional boxing record of 7-0.
With the upcoming Shamrock fight, Slice will enter an MMA environment for the first time since 2010, the same year Shamrock last fought. Kimbo signed with Bellator back in January.
Kimbo issued a statement to ESPN concerning the upcoming fight with Shamrock in June, and he seemed to make reference to the 2008 fight between he and Ken that never materialized.
“Ken, I owe you this a– whooping. No more running! No more hiding!”
The fight, which is being promoted by Bellator, will take place on June 20 from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The event will be broadcast live on SpikeTV.
[Image via PixShark.com]
