In a bit of a surprising move, Spike TV decided to hold a conference call yesterday with Kimbo Slice to talk about his experience on "The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights" and previewing his bout with Roy Nelson, which premieres tonight, Wednesday, September 30th. Check out what he had to say.
Operator: Good afternoon. My name is (Tania) and I will be your conference operator today. At this time I would like to welcome everyone to the Ultimate Fighter conference call.
All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speaker's remarks there will be a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question during this time, simply press star then the number 1 on your telephone keypad.
If you would like to withdraw your question press the pound key. Thank you Mr. (Galati), you may begin your conference.
Mr. (Galati): Thank you very much. Welcome to the Kimbo Slice Ultimate Fighter Heavyweight conference call.
We're running a little bit on behind today, just going to turn it over to Kimbo directly. If you could please limit your questions to one per turn. And we're going to have until about 3:05. Here he is right now, Kimbo Slice.
Kimbo Slice: Hello.
Operator: Your first question comes from the line of Jonathan Snowden with Heavy.com.
Jonathon Snowden: Hey Kimbo, how are you doing today?
Kimbo Slice: Hey what's up Jonathan?
Jonathon Snowden: Now my question is one that kind of takes you back in time a little bit. You had some really rough times after the hurricane. Was this what you dreamed, you know, in those rough times what your life would end up being like?
I mean how - you went from the bottom to the top. And what - just tell us a little bit about it, you know, what that feels like?
Kimbo Slice: You know, it was a good feeling man, looking back on it - on my life and how things just transpired. You know, just - and it motivates and encourages me. And I'm more of a - I can give my kids more of an insight on, you know, how, you know, if you hold onto your dream and stuff like that, you know what I'm saying, it can happen, just never letting go and keeping the faith.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Kerith Gabriel with the Philadelphia Daily.
Kerith Gabriel: Hi Kimbo. How are you?
Kimbo Slice: All right.
Kerith Gabriel: Hey, I'm just - I just had a couple questions for you. Pretty much my first question is when you - I mean obviously being an Internet sensation, you know, knocking people out - sorry about that. Knocking people out countless times people on YouTube.
When you talk to Dana and you had the interest in coming into UFC and he told you that you had to kind of to go about doing that so - and on this path, what was your thoughts given your background and knowing what you know, where you were coming from?
Kimbo Slice: That wasn't much of a hard one because considering, you know, what I'm saying, it was just all about proving myself to Dana that's just pretty much how it is growing up in the world. You've just got to prove yourself in everything you do you know what I'm saying?
So again, you know what I'm saying, I was to a crossroad where I had to again prove myself, you know. And that's just something I was just kind of used to it.
Kerith Gabriel: How much different is it now? I mean obviously you're still in kind of like the early stages with the UFC. How much different is that than in some of the outfits that you were with before like Elite and, you know, stuff like that?
Kimbo Slice: Well all the organizations were professional and they handle me with a lot of respect and a lot of professionalism. I have nothing bad to say about Elite, you know, and Strike Force, (K Street) or anything, you know what I'm saying?
Everyone was - all were very professional. They handled me with respect and professionalism, you know what I'm saying? And it was just given me an opportunity to fight, you know what I'm saying? And that's a what I - you know, I have a lot of respect for organizations like these.
Kerith Gabriel: Last question for you. Talk about that first fight that you just had, you know, that will be aired on Wednesday. Kind of just going through the motions with that, having that be one of your first fights, you know, in UFC just kind of give me your (mega emotions) with that one?
Kimbo Slice: You know, it's just a first fight from after my last fight you know what I'm saying? And, you know, I learned a lot from all my fights, you know, just keeping your mind in the game and having good trainers, you know.
And, you know, this fight is very exciting. This is probably, probably I would say probably, you know, hands, you know, not hands down but pound for pound I guess my - I guess my - a best - a good fight -- one of my best fights.
Kerith Gabriel: Kimbo man, thanks a lot and best of luck to you.
Kimbo Slice: All right.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of (Frank McNeil) with ESPN.com
(Frank McNeil): Kimbo, what's up man?
Kimbo Slice: What's up?
(Frank McNeil): Hi. I just want to ask you, getting your first fight on the Ultimate Fighters against Big Country, being in the situation - now he is probably most recognized fighter on the show outside of yourself and probably the most accomplished fighter, is this the way you would have wanted it to go against the guy who probably many would feel would be the favorite going in?
Kimbo Slice: Yes. I wouldn't want it no other way man. If I - like I said, if I'd rather lose a fight, I'd rather lose a fight to, you know what I'm saying, a guy who's, you know, a guy like that you know what I'm saying or someone with a big name, you know what I'm saying, like that.
Because, you know, it just makes sense to have two big names to go at it head to head. And, you know, one's got to win, one's got to lose. And that's just the nature of the beast.
(Frank McNeil): Would you have preferred that the fight happened later in the show or do you like the fact that it's happening at this point?
Kimbo Slice: That's cool that it's happening like right now. You know, it gets it out of the way. And then, you know, I guess the duration of the show people get to know what type of, you know, how - that people they realize and see, you know what I'm saying, how I react and interact with, you know, with, others, you know, before and after a fight. So and it's in the middle of the season so it worked out perfectly.
(Frank McNeil): Okay, thanks a lot.
Kimbo Slice: All right my man.
(Frank McNeil): All right.
Kimbo Slice: I remember him.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Brent Todd with MMA Recap.com.
Brent Todd: Hey, thanks Kimbo for taking the time for this, two quick questions. The first one is Roy speaking of Roy Nelson. He recently stated that he - you would have preferred to have fought Zack Jenkins instead of you as a first fight in the house.
Do you feel that you would've preferred to fight somebody else instead of Big Country or would you - or was this the fight that you wanted for your first fight?
Kimbo Slice: I didn't really have no special picks on who I would have wanted first second and third, you know what I'm saying? And, you know, it was (nearly) those guys I guess had, you know, other - these other - those guys who called names out like that like Roy did, yes I guess he had a game plan coming into the house, you know what I'm saying? He already - he know - I guess he knew something about those guys - about, you know, Zack or myself.
He knew something about these guys, you know what I'm saying, to call them out and say oh I'd rather fight this guy first or this guy second, you know what I'm saying?
You know, I didn't have time to think about shit like that, you know, what I'm saying? I was just there to thump, you know, what I'm saying, whenever my name was called.
Brent Todd: All right, and just a quick question now. Where are you training at just now post the UFC house?
Kimbo Slice: Right now I'll be training at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida.
Brent Todd: All right. Good luck.
Kimbo Slice: Thank you.
Operator: Your next question comes on the line of Chris Hightower with MMA Spot.net.
Chris Hightower: Hey Kimbo. I was wondering if you could compare your training that you had before the show to the training you've been doing afterwards?
And I know you just had your training with AT&T. I was also - ATT. I was also wondering if you have any plans to join any other camps in the future?
Kimbo Slice: You know I've never really been a part of a camp you know what I'm saying? So I don't know what to expect to be from a camp. I just kind of like know what I would want, you know, from, you know, from a trainer and how I would want to be trained.
I guess working out of a camp like I said, I never worked out of a before so I really don't know what to expect.
Chris Hightower: All right, yes because I'd heard that (Rashad) had mentioned something about wanting to train with you in the future. And I was wondering if that was a possibility for you with Greg Jackson?
Kimbo Slice: Yes that would be a possibility. Greg Jackson's camp I've heard is the best, you know what I'm saying that's out there right now.
Anyone who's trying to become a fighter or want to become a fighter or if you are a fighter and you want to just get - be a better fighter, you know, I've heard other than American Top Team, you know, and, you know, that Greg Jackson's camp is the best camp out there.
Chris Hightower: All right. Thanks man.
Kimbo Slice: All right buddy.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Nick Solomon with jabsngrabs.com.
Nick Solomon: Okay Kimbo, my question for you is going into your fight with Roy Nelson what was your opinion of him? And did you know of his past accomplishments as a IFL Heavyweight Champion?
Kimbo Slice: Yes, yes. I knew a little bit about Roy. I knew a little bit about Roy from the IFL. I saw him when he fought, what do you call it, Big Ben, Ben Rothwell. I saw when he fought Rocky, you know what I'm saying. And I know Roy had game and I know he's a fighter.
Nick Solomon: If I can sneak in a second question, I just wanted to ask that you've been largely accredited as being one of the main reasons for the recent high ratings of the show. Does that give you a sense of job security as a competitor in the future UFC events?
Kimbo Slice: That would be up to the matchmakers. They're businessmen. They know what's up.
Nick Solomon: Okay. Thank you for your time.
Operator: Your next question comes from Michael David Smith with AOL Fan House.
Michael David Smith: Hey Kimbo, thanks for taking the time. I want to know when you first got into MMA the, kind of the scouting report on you was that you were a hard puncher and you needed to learn the ground game. That was two years ago.
Can you talk about what kind of Brazilian jujitsu training you've done in the last two years? And how would you describe where your jujitsu skills are at this point?
Kimbo Slice: I - shit I think I'm still there where are you at, what you just said, I have (punchers) trying working on my ground game. Yes I mean I'm - you're going to learn a lot but you're not going to master anything in two years.
I mean Mixed Martial Arts man it's that type of training where you learn with life, you know what I'm saying? You know, the more you roll the more you learn just like as long as you live you're going to learn as you live.
And that's how Mixed Martial Arts is. It's not something you say okay you learn it, you got it, okay you can go kick someone's ass now. No, no, no you - that's something you have to continue to do.
Michael David Smith: And then real quickly Kimbo, what was your opinion of Rampage Jackson saying he was going to retire? Did you have any idea that he might be thinking about walking away from the UFC?
Kimbo Slice: No, he's not walking away from the UFC. Rampage he's chasing his career at now, you know, fighting with his job. That's what he does with this thing. You know, that's what he was - that's how - that was his bread and butter.
You know, (Rampage), you know, he's an actor as well, you know what I'm saying? And he's a good actor. So right now he's just putting fighting on hold.
I mean I haven't talked with him or anything. This is what I would have done if, you know what I'm saying? This is - I'm just telling you from a fighter, this is what I would have done if I had an opportunity to be a star in a movie or whatever and to make some good money, you know what I'm saying or whatever. I would definitely put my fights on hold for a minute and do that, pursue my career.
I probably would still do my fight in December, you know what I'm saying? And I - but I would've, you know, I would've done them both.
Michael David Smith: Okay. Thanks Kimbo.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Sharon Ross with South Florida Sun.
Sharon Rob: Kimbo, hi. It was nice seeing you Friday night at the Hard Rock.
Kimbo Slice: Okay.
Sharon Rob: I'm curious what other plans do you have as far as outside MMA? I know you want to take Mixed Martial Arts as far as you can take it.
But you are just a marketing brand right now. I mean the Norton Antivirus commercial, everyone wants you.
So I'm just curious do you have time for all of this? And what's next after the Jimmy Kimmel show tonight?
Kimbo Slice: Well, you know, after I get back home I'm going to continue my training at American Top Team in Coconut Creek. You know, so I continue training, be ready for my flight in December.
Along with that, you know, I just (stripped) back in town but I'm back out of town again but back at home in a week and a half from there. I'm going to be in Texas doing another movie produced by Cain and Abel directed by (Daniel), another - a fight scene they're going to have me in.
I just did one a couple weeks ago with those guys called Lockdown. And so there's another one they have me in. And I'm not sure the name of this one.
So, you know, I mean the - I mean acting, everyone - you know, I love acting. I love everything about it, you know. And along with fighting, you know, that's would be another means of me to bring some bread in to feed my family, you know.
Sharon Rob: No, that's great. Life is good for you. Thanks Kimbo.
Kimbo Slice: All right.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Neil Davidson with the Canadian Press.
Neil Davidson: Yes, thank you. Kimbo you're used to fighting. You fought before some big crowds in Elite XC and you're used to having people watch you.
This flight we're going to see on television on Wednesday night was in the UFC Training Center with Dana White and a few - only a few people there even though millions will watch it tomorrow night.
Can you compare what the pressure you felt going into the cage that night as opposed to say before the big crowds in Elite XC?
Kimbo Slice: Well, there really wasn't no pressure considering, you know, the nature of the beast. I started fighting as a street fighter in the backyard with a just a few people there, you know, what I'm saying?
And to go forth toward the big crowd, you know what I'm saying, with Elite XC was one thing. But then to go back again, to go back again and with the UFC in a training facility with just a handful of people again, it was fine. It was not much of a change for me.
Neil Davidson: And last week on the episode we saw Rampage Jackson and his coaches working with you on the ground giving you some special instruction.
Did you find in the six weeks, we often hear from fighters that there's not that much time for one on one because everyone's working on the next fighter.
Did you find in the - or the person who's going to have the next fight, did you find in those six weeks that you did learn a lot?
Kimbo Slice: Yes I did learn a lot considering I just had my mind to one - pickup some things being there, you know what I'm saying? But six weeks is a short time for (anything) considering you have eight guys that needs to be tuned up just a tad bit, you know what I'm saying, you know to - for preparing for a fight.
So, you know, it's like almost in a sense you have to have come into the house, you know, already ready to fight, you know what I'm saying?
But since me being a still somewhat of a baby in Mixed Martial Arts and I'm still learning, you know, yes, I wanted to learn a little bit more knowing that I'm fighting Roy. So there was something I knew I needed to know. You know, it was look, I needed to know this, you know what I'm saying?
Neil Davidson: And then just finally it seemed like from what we've seen so far that you and Rampage got on well. You seemed to get on with each other. Did you connect?
Kimbo Slice: Yes I have a lot of respect for Rampage. He had - we had a lot of respect for each other. I, you know, I looked up to him considering I used to watch his moves, you know what I'm saying? I like his style. I like what he stands for and I like what he came - he comes from, you know?
Neil Davidson: Okay thank you. Good luck.
Kimbo Slice: Thank you.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Anthony Springer with fightnews.com.
Anthony Springer: Hey Kimbo. First question is regarding Roy Nelson. As somebody already mentioned before, he said in a couple of interviews that he would have rather not have fought you first.
How does that feel to hear a guy like Roy Nelson respecting your skills whereas a lot of other guys in the house kind of wanted to fight you first?
Kimbo Slice: I mean I guess it's a respect thing, you know? You know, at this level in the game you've got to have respect for each other. And, you know, it (unintelligible) me. I didn't have a preference or a choice, you know what I'm saying, who I wanted to fight me because I knew about none of them, you know what I'm saying?
Considering everyone knew me and knew something about me, that made me a target and that, you know, guys had, you know, that made these guys, you know, become critics like okay, I'll fight this. I'll fight first or I'll fight Kimbo. I'll do this - you know, so a lot of those guys had their own, you know, piece of shit opinions and I didn't care about that.
Anthony Springer: All right. And did you feel like a lot of the guys that maybe didn't respect you skills beforehand that they respected them after the Nelson fight?
Kimbo Slice: Well I mean a lot of them, I mean it's hard to say that you know what I'm saying? Because until you fight a person, you know what I'm saying, a person's going to talk shit until they fight you, you know what I'm saying? And then after they fight you, you know, you'll see a change in their speech.
So, you know, I can't, you know what I'm saying, I can't really, you know, say and tell you what was going through those guy's head and how they feel about me.
I have respect for everybody in the house man, until I'm disrespected. I respect everybody until I'm disrespected.
Anthony Springer: Definitely. Thank you. That's my final question.
Kimbo Slice: All right my man.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Jonathan Snowden with Heavy.com.
Jonathon Snowden: Hey Kimbo. Now everybody's has already talked about it and they know you've got (saying this) on the Internet. But I never really understood how that went down.
Can you talk a little bit about that and what your expectations were when Icy Mike or whoever came to you the first time and said let's videotaped some street fights. You know, what were your thoughts on that? Because I mean it's kind of an interesting idea?
Kimbo Slice: While it was like wow what three - what five, six, seven years ago - five, six years ago. I can't even remember that no more man. I can't even - I would have to really - we would have to really time for me to figure that one out.
Jonathon Snowden: Now can you talk a little bit about the difference between a street fight and a sports fight? Like in a street fight you've got to worry about what other people are doing. You've got to look for weapons and people jumping you from behind. And, you know, what - how different are they and how do you approach them differently?
Kimbo Slice: I mean you mean street fighting is - well first of all you've got to have the respect, you know what I'm saying, from your homeboys and everybody on the street. They got to - everybody's got to know and understand what's about to happen here, you know what I'm saying.
So now if I knock your boy out or you know what I'm saying, if I knock your boy out, you know what I'm saying, his crew got to know okay, now your nigga just got knocked out. You can't be pulling out pistols talking about, you know what I'm saying, another chance or this or that.
So that has to be respect - that has to be established and respected before, you know, the two guys even engage in combat.
You know, and but again, there's no comparison to the street fights and to the, you know, where I am at right now as a professional fighter. There's no comparison.
And street fighting is one dimension. All you've got to worry about is guys throwing punches, you know, what I'm saying? You've got to worry about nothing else but just getting knock (down).
In Mixed Martial Arts and being a professional fighter, you know, there's - you have to train to be prepared man. Because these guys have skills and these guys are professionals. You can be hurt. You know, you could be hurt like with a punch, a choke, or something like that you know.
Jonathon Snowden: All right. Well thanks a lot Kimbo. I appreciate your time then.
Kimbo Slice: All right.
Operator: Your next question comes on the line of Loretta Hunt with Sherdog.com.
Kimbo Slice: Loretta Hunt.
Loretta Hunt: Hi Kimbo. How are you?
Kimbo Slice: How are you doing Loretta?
Loretta Hunt: I'm good. I'm good. Just a quick question. What was your reaction to the first few episodes that have aired? And do you believe they are accurately portraying your experience thus far in the house?
Kimbo Slice: Can you repeat that question again now?
Loretta Hunt: Yes sure. What was your reaction to the first two episodes that have already aired? And do you believe they are accurately portraying, you know, your experience in this whole program?
Kimbo Slice: You know, I mean I was me, you know what I'm saying? I wasn't pretending. I'm not - I didn't go into the house acting, pretending or trying to be somebody that I wasn't. So I'm not, you know, however they show it is fine with me because I was me the whole time.
Loretta Hunt: Have you been - you watched the first two episodes so far right?
Kimbo Slice: Yes I did.
Loretta Hunt: What was your reaction to them? Would - did anything upset you or were you happy with it? Was there anything that kind of stuck out saying oh maybe it didn't quite go that way or do you think it's good and dead on?
Kimbo Slice: No but I - what I kind of really know is that the guys - some guys were going to talk shit, you know what I'm saying? And not knowing who I am, not knowing me they were going to talk shit. I already knew that.
And, you know, after the guys got to know me and, you know, I'm sure it changed a little. So but I was - I'm already getting phone calls from the guys, you know, from some guys, you know what I'm saying, apologizing from talking shit, you know what I'm saying, in the house already, you know what I'm saying? So it's all good.
Loretta Hunt: Oh wow, interesting. All right, thank you so much. Good luck.
Kimbo Slice: All right.
Operator: Your next question comes on the line of Samantha Johnson with MMA Scrap.
Samantha Johnson: Hey Kimbo, thanks for taking the call. I just wanted to know, I know Dana has said in the past that the only way you'd get into the UFC is through the Ultimate Fighter.
Did you also go on the show wanting to change the public perception because so many people didn't really give you the credit in MMA and just kind of saw you as the Internet sensation that was getting, you know, the whirlwind of media attention?
Did you want to change public opinion or is it strictly just to get into the UFC?
Kimbo Slice: Man if I really worry about trying to change the public opinion I'd be losing my mind going crazy. That's one thing I'm worried about baby. I'm doing what I do to take care of me and my family you know what I'm saying, and to put food on my table.
You know, so there's recession out there right now. I don't know if you noticed. And the only way to make some good money right now is to fight or to be a professional at something.
Samantha Johnson: All right, thank you very much.
Kimbo Slice: All right.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Dave Meltzer with Yahoo Sports.
Kimbo Slice: Worry about what people think about me. I have no time for that.
Operator: Dave your line is open.
Okay your next question comes from the line of (John Oregon) with Fighters Only Magazine.
(John Oregon): Hello Kimbo.
Kimbo Slice: Hey what's up?
(John Oregon): Hey what's going on? And after your fight you mentioned the America Top Team before and you also mentioned about in the street fight they like, you know, if you win the fight or you lose the fight people can't be pulling out pistols and so on.
In the news this week there was a story going around that you got arm barred at ATT one day. And there was some shit talk afterwards and then you came back with a pistol but the (actually) stopped you from coming back in to speak to the guy with a pistol. Is there anything you can tell us about that?
Kimbo Slice: Yes. Well first of all, with my pistol, I carry my gun with me wherever I go man. I don't have to leave and come back with nothing.
But yes, I was at ATT a couple years ago and I got arm barred, you know what I'm saying? But I didn't go get no pistol or nothing like that and come back with no pistol.
But yes, I got arm barred and I didn't like it, you know what I'm saying? But, you know, I know how to defend that shit now so I won't be having that problem anymore.
(John Oregon): But was this - was it because like you just didn't like getting arm barred or was the guy crunching it trying to break your arm? What was the - what sparked it off?
Kimbo Slice: Well that was a couple years ago man, I got to - I have to (trust) my memory on that one.
(John Oregon): Right. And all the other questions had have been answered (really). That was the only one I had.
Kimbo Slice: All right buddy.
(John Oregon): Okay. Thanks man. All the best (to fight).
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of (David Debert) with Kanye West News Services.
(David Debert): Hey Kimbo. I'm curious how your relationship with Dana White is right now? I mean more than almost anyone out there he was talking a lot of smack before you, before you came in to the company.
How were things with him, you know, right from the jump and how are things now?
Kimbo Slice: You know, I mean it's not - we're not like it's - I mean it's not like we, you know, we sit down and drink tea and eat toast, you know what I'm saying, or anything like that. I mean he's a businessman and I do what I do. He's a promoter and I'm a fighter and that's the nature of it.
(David Debert): All right. Are you guys - I assume you're cordial and things are okay, you know, just I guess on a professional sense?
Kimbo Slice: Right on - right as far as that, yes.
(David Debert): Okay. All right, and another quick one. You talk a lot about how you're doing this, make money for your family.
How important, you know, you know if you could just I guess, put it into specific words, how important is family to you? Because you - it seems like I, you know, never hear an interview without you making some mention of that.
Kimbo Slice: I mean because that's what it's about. I have three boys. I have three girls, you know what I'm saying? And they're not from the same female and I'm taking care of them.
They're living with me, you know, under my roof under my care, under my watch and I'm responsible for them. So everything I do, it's a life lesson for myself and for them.
And I compare real life situations with my life situations. And I explain that to my kids and I teach that to my kids.
So in everything I do I mention that, you know what I'm saying, because that's what it's about. It's about - it's everything about me and the way I am and they way I became who I am started from when I was a kid, you what I'm saying?
So now about knowing that, it's all about - it's about me, you know what I'm saying, paying attention to my kids and raising my kids the right way so they can either do better than I did or won't make the same mistakes that I did growing up.
So that's why I'm always mentioning them. So I'm not that guy, like I said like I said, that's why I carry myself the way I carry myself you know with the respect that I have and giving other people respect you know what I'm saying? Because, you know, I'm more of a role model to my kids, you know what I'm saying?
They see me and they look up to me and they ask me questions and they want answers. And they look at - they look for me to protect them in everything. So it's all about them, my life is about them. You know, I live my life, I'm living for them now.
(David Debert): Okay, all right, well that's great. Thanks for very much for taking the time and good luck in the future.
Kimbo Slice: All right buddy.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Steven Marroco with MMA Weekly.
Steven Marroco: Hey Kimbo. How are you?
Kimbo Slice: What's up Marroco?
Steven Marroco: Are you going back to Randy Khatami in Thousand Oaks or are you staying in at ATT?
Kimbo Slice: Oh Randy, Randy, Randy, that's my boy man. Every time I'm in (Cali), you know what I'm saying, you know, he's going - he's my guy. You know, we'll get together and we'll train and we'll do our thing, you know what I'm saying?
But this time around like, you know what I'm saying, I want to be home. You know, I want to do this one, train from home. And, you know, American Top Team is a damn good camp. I need a camp now.
I don't need to just to just to be trained like that at this level in my game now, you know what I'm saying? I need to be involved in a camp. I need to belong to a home. I need a home.
And I didn't have a home at the time, you know what I'm saying? So that's why I made the - I made this move that I've made.
Steven Marroco: And are you in camp right now? Are you going to start ramping up pretty soon?
Kimbo Slice: Yes, yes, yes. I'm - well I'm in New York right now but, you know what I mean? But yes when I go home, yes I'm in training yes.
Steven Marroco: Thanks a lot.
Kimbo Slice: Thank you.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Nick Solomon with jabsngrabs.com.
Nick Solomon: Hey Kimbo, here we are again. All right.
Kimbo Slice: What's up Nick?
Nick Solomon: You and Chuck Liddell had a very public war of words a little over a year ago. I mean it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that a fight between you two would sell a lot of pay-per-views. Is that a fight that you'd still want, why or why not?
Kimbo Slice: Who are we talking about again?
Nick Solomon: Chuck Liddell.
Kimbo Slice: Oh Chuckie?
Nick Solomon: Yes.
Kimbo Slice: Oh man I mean, you know, I'll run into anyone, you know what I'm saying? I have no specific preference of who I want to fight right now.
Nick Solomon: Okay. All right. Thanks a lot.
Kimbo Slice: All right.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Sharon Rob with South Florida Sun.
Sharon Rob: Hi Kimbo again. Hey I'm curious how proud are you that street fighting is finally getting a new found respect? I mean after watching Level make his pro debut Friday night and just seeing that the crowd went nuts out of all the other MMA fighters that were on the card, I mean have you opened the door now for your homeboys as you like to say?
Kimbo Slice: In a sense, yes. If I have to be the one to carry that torch then I'll do and I'm going to do it with a smile on my face, you know what I'm saying?
If anyone, you know what I'm saying, coming from the streets who wants to be - to turn pro, I would suggest it, strongly suggest it because it's an opportunity to let people know hey look man, you know, you can be a professional. You know, that some people - your mind to dedicate yourself and commit yourself to.
Sharon Rob: How impressed with you with (Level) when you watched him fight?
Kimbo Slice: I wasn't - I was impressed. But I - now I would say to myself, you know, because people always, you know, he - you know, not just him but just other fighters from the street, they want to know how hard is it to actually, you know, fight in the cage or in Octagon in a crowd, around a crowd and to actually go three rounds.
You know, people want to know how hard is it and they don't understand. It's really difficult. It's a whole other level of fighting you know what I'm saying? It really is. The training is one thing but the fight is whole other level. But he understood that now.
Sharon Rob: Thanks.
Kimbo Slice: And I asked (Lombardi). He said it was all right. But he won his fight, you know?
Sharon Rob: Yes. Great. Thank you Kimbo.
Kimbo Slice: All right.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Neil Davidson with the Canadian Press.
Neil Davidson: Yes, thanks for taking another question Kimbo. Where will you be Wednesday night? Will you be watching it with friends, family?
Kimbo Slice: Yes, yes, all day.
Neil Davidson: And I know that obviously we have to watch it to find out what goes on. But what can we expect?
Kimbo Slice: A good matchup. I mean, you know, you've got to have (unintelligible) you know what I'm saying?
I was impressed with my performance. I was impressed with everything. You know, I don't - you know what I'm saying? I'm not crying about nothing.
Neil Davidson: Okay, thank you.
Kimbo Slice: All right.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Dave Meltzer with Yahoo.com.
Dave Meltzer: Hey sorry about the first time. Kimbo I was wondering when Elite went down, I mean what made you chose going to UFC and going to Ultimate Fighter over, you know, I presume that you had several other opportunities out there whether it was strike force or Japan or anything like that. I mean what was kind of the deciding thing?
Kimbo Slice: The exciting thing was just management, having a good manager and having good management, knowing what would be the best, the better move all the way around, you know, what I'm saying?
I have to really thank, you know, my guy Icy Mike for that, you know what I'm saying? That's my guy and saying together, you know what I'm saying, we figure things out, you know. So we made a good decision on this.
Dave Meltzer: I mean was just a - overall you thought long-term it was the best financial offer that you were going to get or was it more than just exposure as well?
Kimbo Slice: Well the exposure, you know, I (don't) really, you know, I don't really, you know what I'm saying, worry about that as much as the - everything else, you know what I'm saying, training at home, being at home, you know what I'm saying? Okay going and fighting in the UFC. So it was just a lot that made it easy, you know what I'm saying? It was not just one thing.
Dave Meltzer: And do you - did you ever think about trying out for that role in the 18? Because I mean a whole bunch of people go God, you know, that role was tailored made for you, you know?
Kimbo Slice: Right, right. I thought about it but it's all good man. It couldn't happen to a better person like (Ron Page), you know what I'm saying? Either him or I, you know?
He - I mean (unintelligible) tried out for it as well as Game you know what I'm saying? But they're rappers, you know what I'm saying? There things are (now), we live the life, you know what I'm saying? We live the life of Mr. (Kee) that had - the life that he's missing back in the days.
And I'm not saying that Game and 50 Cent didn't (talk) growing up, but our career, career-wise, either him or I would have been the better move and he got it. So, you know, so my hat goes off to him.
Dave Meltzer: Okay, cool. Thanks very much.
Kimbo Slice: All right. I ain't no (hitter). Shit, I'm glad about that (unintelligible).
You better run with it (unintelligible), shit, run with it (unintelligible). That's cool.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Doug Jeffrey with Ultimate MMA Magazine.
Doug Jeffrey: Hey Kimbo, thanks for your time today. Earlier you talked about the importance your kids have to you. So I'm wondering how are they dealing with the fame you've achieved? How has life changed for them?
Kimbo Slice: Oh man. Well the three babies, they don't really know what's going on except for they - I still have to change Pampers and make bottles. So for them, everything still is the same.
But my older two boys, they are reaping the benefits more than I am, you know what I'm saying? And they're in high school right now (Cross). One's a wrestler for (unintelligible). And the other one's a football player. My youngest is a football player.
And both of these guys, you know what I'm saying because, you know, are big dudes. So they're enjoying it more than I am right now.
Doug Jeffrey: Good deal. Thank you very much.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Samantha Johnson with MMA Scrap.
Samantha Johnson: Hey Kimbo, thanks again. I was just wondering, you know, you're obviously not a spring chicken. How long did you plan on staying around in MMA or are you just going to kind of ride out this little flurry or do you plan on giving it at least, you know, five years?
Kimbo Slice: Yes. I'm here man, you know, what I'm saying until my flame burns out you know what I'm saying? Shit, you've got (Fiscal) at 38 still pumping. You know you've got (Rhet Kator), you know what I'm saying, his early 40s. And he's still pumping, you know what I'm saying?
You know, you've got to realize that 30's the new 20s, 40's the new 30, you know what I'm saying?
I feel I'm at my best right now, you know what I'm saying, and I'm still actually like going up, climbing like up this mountain right now.
And I'm at no point am I like coming downhill man, I'm feeling like okay I'm (done). Hell no, not that not right now.
Samantha Johnson: Okay and one more. You were just saying that your older sons are into wrestling. Are you encouraging them to get into MMA or are you just kind of letting them decide their own path?
Kimbo Slice: Yes, I push education. I push schoolwork. I push arithmetic. I push getting those grades together. That's what I really encourage and push.
Now to me the sports is extra-curricular. And that's - they may want to do that for fun. And they find themselves excelling and doing extremely well then I support them to the fullest.
Samantha Johnson: All right. Thank you very much.
Operator: The next question comes from the line of Michael David Smith with AOL Fan House.
Michael David Smith: Hey Kimbo, I have another question about your training. You're mentioned you're at American Top Team.
Can you also talk about what kind of condition are you in, your cardiovascular conditioning? And then where are you as far as how much you weigh? And would you ever considering moving down to 205 pounds?
Kimbo Slice: Okay, well cardio has never been a question. Never - cardio's never been a question for me. I have never had a problem fighting two or three rounds. I thought James Thompson went three rounds. All my fights just last or end up quick, you know, either by knockouts you know what I'm saying? So cardio's never a question. So if, you know, yes, I don't even want to comment on that part.
As far as weight is concerned, I'm a heavy-weight, you know what I'm saying? If the promoters want me to come down, if the matchmakers they say hey Kimbo, you know, what do you think? Would - could you do it? Hell yes, I'll give it a try and come down, you know, what I'm saying and drop some weight and fight again and keep fighting. I don't have a problem with that.
Michael David Smith: What do you weight right now Kimbo?
Kimbo Slice: Right now probably like 234, not even 235. I would say between 230 and 234, somewhere up in there.
Michael David Smith: Okay, thanks Kimbo.
Kimbo Slice: All right.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Mark Janzen with Prince Albert Daily.
Mark Janzen: Hey Kimbo. Do you think you've gained some fans by coming on the Ultimate Fighter and giving people a bit of a - more of a look into your personality rather than just the brawler that people are seeing on the Internet?
Kimbo Slice: From the - a Mixed Marshall Arts perspective and the respect of the mixed MMA, yes I think I have. Because those were the questions that, you know, people were concerned about, you know, can Kimbo, you know, learn or become a Mixed Martial Arts or rather than just, you know, a slugger?
You know, and like I said earlier about Mixed Marital Art, it's not just something you just learn, say okay, now you're ready. No, no, no. That's - you've got to continue to do that. You know that's - it's not going to come overnight. You know, you've got - you learn as you do. You learn as you go.
Mark Janzen: But outside of the Octagon, do you sometimes feel that because you've shown your personality in the show people might become more fans of you?
Kimbo Slice: I don't know. I can't answer. I wouldn't.
Mark Janzen: Okay, thanks a lot.
Kimbo Slice: All right.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Brent Todd with MMA Recap.com.
Brent Todd: Hey Kimbo, one more question for you. With your fame from your Internet fame and then you are arguably one of the most recognized names on the Ultimate Fighter, is there any extra pressure being, you know, that you have a bigger name than some of these guys on the show? And does that affect you at all?
Kimbo Slice: No, should it?
Brent Todd: No. Sometimes (players), you know, just wasn't - just curious if it was for you or not.
Kimbo Slice: No it doesn't affect me at all.
Brent Todd: Okay thanks.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of (Dave Debert) with Kanye West News Services.
(David Debert): Hi Kimbo. I'm wondering when doing this for, you know, a big money living started to become, I guess enter your mind as a possibility?
You know, you're doing it on the street, you're doing it, you know, for an Internet audience. But what sort of clicked that made this a possibility to do it worldwide network, big promotions for a living?
Kimbo Slice: shit, the very first fight when I got like a couple hundred dollars.
(David Debert): Is that right?
Kimbo Slice: That was (it then). That's when I decided to do it for a living, you know, when I did my first fight for a couple hundred dollars. Okay, this is my thing, you know. It's another way. Either that or like I said earlier, you either start robbing or start becoming a - you know, what I'm saying, start selling dope, you know what I'm saying or some shit like that which I didn't want to do you know what I'm saying?
Because, you know, my old girl she wasn't with that man. My mother wasn't with that, you know what I'm saying? I couldn't give her my - you know, my - you know, I couldn't get caught, you know what I'm saying for selling drugs or stealing something from somebody or breaking in someone's house. I couldn't get caught for that, not with a mother like mine.
So, you know, I had to find another way to make a living, you know? Take my (ass) to work and do it the hardest way, you know what I'm saying? Not opportunities, you know what I'm saying, like fighting and shit like that, but not the other way, you know what I'm saying? Because if I would have got caught man, my mother - it would have killed me.
(David Debert): All right, and I guess just kind of a follow. You know, it's a bit of a cliché question. You know, you always hope that you can get to the point where you're making some good money, getting some good exposure.
Did you really think that it could happen like this? You know, you hope, but did you really believe that it would?
Kimbo Slice: You hope for the best, you know what I'm saying? And then that's like what I was saying. We didn't know what - you know, I didn't know where it was going to go, you know what I'm saying? I didn't go - we didn't go - I didn't go around looking for, you know, what I'm saying, fights not at the beginning. But they were coming, you know, what I'm saying. (Unintelligible) opportunities, you know what I'm saying?
Everybody else felt like it's always another dude. He just felt like he could have whooped me, you know what I'm saying? And then that's what made it good, you know what I'm saying? It got to the point to where people was coming thinking that they could, you know what I'm saying, kick my ass, you know what I'm saying? And that's what made it good.
(David Debert): Why do people want to watch you? You know, there are a lot of people doing the same thing that made you famous online, you know, a lot of street fights, a lot of back alley fights. What was it that made you special?
Kimbo Slice: I guess because it was raw man. Oh shit, what we did was raw, you know what I'm saying? No training you know what I'm saying? Just - it was just straight raw, you what I'm saying? I'm coming right at your backyard. I'm knocking the gas out. I'm going to leave all the blood in the backyard on the ground and I'm (different), you know what I'm saying? I'm (going to balance). I'm going to go home and take these couple hundred dollars and then taking my kids to Dairy Queen or we're going to IHOP, you know what I'm saying? And that's as raw as you can get.
(David Debert): Sure. All right, that's good. Thanks again Kimbo.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of (Dan Sup) with MMA Junkie.com.
Kimbo Slice: MMA Junkie...
(Dan Sup): Hi Kimbo. In the past week Seth Petruzelli has kind of suggested you may have turned down a few possibilities to rematch him.
I was wondering is there any truth to that? And if he did resign with the UFC, is that a fight you're still interested in?
Kimbo Slice: First of all, where you heard that shit from? Who told you that I turned down a fight with Seth? Who told you that?
(Dan Sup): Petruzelli had posted on a forum. I think he said at least three times you had turned it down.
Kimbo Slice: All right, now Seth needs to be careful now because you know, we both live in the same backyard. And I know his little - I know that little sissy ice cream shop he got and I could, you know, walk in there at any given time and be like what's up man all right?
And no one never approached me with no rematch with Seth. And I never turned that shit down. That right there is BS (bullshit), you know what I'm saying? I'm - right now I'm begging to differ on that right there whatever the word is. It didn't happen.
And if Seth signed with the UFC and if (then he) want a matchup, damn right I'll run it with him again. We ain't even got to do it in the ring. We can do, you know what I'm saying (unintelligible). Because see I don't like lying, you know what I'm saying? I've never turned down a rematch with anybody. (Because I'm) saying anyone I fought, I'll fight them again. You know what I'm saying?
(Dan Sup): I guess in a case with him, do you - with him I know it's personal. Do you feel a need for...
Kimbo Slice: Oh no, it ain't personal. It's just the fact that it's bullshit. One never said hey Kimbo, you want to rematch Seth? And I'm like no, we - I've never said no to nothing, you know what I'm saying, not like that, you know? Not to him either.
(Dan Sup): Okay. I guess if you did rematch him would it be more about like just wanting to shut him up or avenging that loss or is it just the combination of it too?
Kimbo Slice: You've been hearing this dude talking shit to be honest with you so, you know what I'm saying? That's why I'm like I'm baffled right now like I don't know why. I ain't got no reason to shut this dude up. He ain't talking shit you know what I'm saying?
But now you're the first dude who told me that this man has posted up something saying that I've denied a rematch with him three times, come on man, are you for real?
(Dan Sup): Great. I appreciate it. Thank you.
Operator: Again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star then the number 1 on your telephone keypad.
Your next question comes from the line of Loretta Hunt with Sherdog.com.
Kimbo Slice: (Unintelligible). Tell him I'll turn down a fight. That is...
Loretta Hunt: Kimbo?
Kimbo Slice: Hey Loretta, what's up?
Loretta Hunt: Hey, how are you? Thanks again. Just a little curious about your training program coming up for the fight in December.
A lot of fighters like training cycles anywhere from six weeks to ten weeks. What is your preference? How many weeks do you feel you need to get in to be the best you can possibly be?
Also, who are your primary coaches and training partners at ATT, like who are you connecting with and really getting the work done with ATT? And do you think ATT could be this home that you're looking for in the future?
Kimbo Slice: Well ATT is definitely the home that I'm looking for, you know what I'm saying in the future, you know what I'm saying? Because it'll benefit me and benefit my boys, my kids as well.
I don't know everyone's name because I'm - you know, I'm still fairly - I am new at ATT. So, you know, they - but they have all the guys there so far good.
Only one man's name I know. And that's (Labrum). And he's the best guy there, you know what I'm saying? He's the - you know, he's one of the - I think as part of that, I think he's the lead trainer or something like that and he's the best guy there.
And, you know, but he - ATT is going to be a home I'm looking for. You know, I have nothing bad to say about ATT.
Loretta Hunt: That's where you think you're going to really set up shop for the next few fights?
Kimbo Slice: It would be out of ATT. And the last question - the other question you asked me, how long does it take - you know, would it take me, you know, to prepare for a fight?
Well before Randy Khatami, you know, used to have me, you know, like start peaking, I would say that week of my fight. But we would really start training camp I would say eight to ten weeks, you know, eight to ten weeks getting ready, you know, what I'm saying, maybe two to three months. A three month training camp is what I'm used to.
Loretta Hunt: Is that what you'll be doing for this next fight?
Kimbo Slice: Yes just with - yes, I'm in camp now. I'm just planning for my fight in December. So I'm just used to training for three months, you know what I'm saying, for a fight. That's just what I'm used to.
Loretta Hunt: Right. But this movie set thing you're doing next week, you're going to keep training through that?
Kimbo Slice: I mean, yes. I mean that's not going to take a month. That's not going to take, you know, it's not going to take a month to (unintelligible).
But after those, you know, just like a part. So I may, you know, be gone for like maybe two or three days max. You know, I'm not - I'm never away for two weeks or three weeks or anything like that. I wouldn't do anything that would take three weeks of my time and I know I have a fight coming up. So that would just be stupid on my part.
Loretta Hunt: Right. Okay, great. Great. Thanks for the clarification. Can I just get the name of that ATT training partner again you said who's really been helping you?
Kimbo Slice: (Labrel).
Loretta Hunt: (Labrel)?
Kimbo Slice: Yes, (Labrel).
Loretta Hunt: Okay great. I'll find out who he is.
Kimbo Slice: Okay.
Loretta Hunt: Thank you.
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Samantha Johnson with MMA Scrap.
Samantha Johnson: Hey Kimbo again. I was just wondering what do you feel that going back to the Seth question, that he would gain out of it? Personally I kind of think he's using it as a springboard to get back in, you know, a relevant light.
Do you feel like you would get anything out of it if you guys were to fight again other than obviously just a pride issue?
Kimbo Slice: I'll probably get a paycheck, you know? I'm just being funny.
But no man, I don't know. I mean if that's something the matchmakers they're going to want to see, if that's something the fans what to see, you know what I'm saying, everyone's just hitting up UFC or hitting up the MMA, if everyone's just putting it out there like, you know, what I'm saying like, you know, they want to see Kimbo and Seth again, if that's what, you know what I'm saying, people want to see, I'm sure they'll find a way to make it happen.
Because the one thing everybody knows about me and our crew, my guys, Icy Mike and myself, they know that look, we can call Kimbo into a fight and, you know what I'm saying, they going to come to fight.
So that (bush) hit about - this (mother fucker) talking - see I'm getting hot over it and I didn't want to get mad like this - talking about I backed down three times, I just didn't like it man. You know what I'm saying? I think it's - anyway. But you're right. I think he's using it as a springboard. I'm going to leave it at that.
Samantha Johnson: Okay. And also you said you've been working with Liborio at ATT. How many days a week are you in there working? Are you doing just a couple or are you doing the whole, you know, five to six days a week?
Kimbo Slice: We're going to be going every - when I get back home I'm going - they've got me where I'm relaxing for a day. We get back home today.
Tomorrow I'll get some rest, you know, get this jet lag off my back. And then Wednesday, you know, what I'm saying, we come back at it again Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Monday and every day, you know what I'm saying, just back at it again, versus when I travel, I let a day - we take a day rest and get jet lag off and go back at it again.
Samantha Johnson: All right, thanks. And travel safe getting back to Florida.
Kimbo Slice: Thank you (baby).
Operator: Your next question comes from the line of (Alexander Oxendyne) with (Shoot) Media.
(Alexander Oxendyne): Hey Kimbo, what's going on?
Kimbo Slice: What's up (Alex)?
(Alexander Oxendyne): Not much, not much. So my question's about your - you know, the way that you came from the streets. You know, you were around maybe, you know, legally speaking questionable activities. And, you know, you were trying to put food on the table back then.
So what has changed now that you're in the epitome of the organization's UFC? And, you know how has your life changed? How has your values and your decision-making changed - are changed in regards to that, and, you know, who you hang out with and things like that?
Kimbo Slice: Well I still have my same friends because I never hung out with assholes or trouble makers, you know what I'm saying, growing up.
And I always had a good judgment of character and, you know, and I think people, you know, who I associate, you know, associate myself with, I think I always had a good, you know, finger for that, you know? And, you know, that's never just been a problem.
My - as far as my morals is concerned, you know, I was raised with morals, you know what I'm saying? My mom instilled morals in us, you know, growing up. So it was just - you know, morals has always been there, you know what I'm saying? And that has never changed.
(Alexander Oxendyne): Okay, good, good. And then obviously you're just not perhaps hanging around in the same places or trying to keep your nose cleaner? Is that kind of how it is or you just were always pretty much on the clean side?
Kimbo Slice: I mean, you know, I got - we got - I've got a select, a good crew of guys that we all roll with and we do things together where if some - one of our kids is having a birthday party, we get the invites. And, you know, each one of us - everyone we know have at least two, three kids. And, you know, they come with the birthday - we do the birthdays together. If it's some - if it's a holiday then we'll get together and do the barbecues.
(Alexander Oxendyne): Excellent, excellent. Thanks very much. Look forward to your fight in December.
Kimbo Slice: All righty.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Sharon Rob, South Florida Sun.
Sharon Rob: Okay, last time, I promise. In addition to Ricardo Liborio at ATT, have you also given any thought of training with your cousin, Rhadi Ferguson, the Olympic Judoko?
Kimbo Slice: Yes, when I - I haven't - see what happened with him, I haven't been able to contact him, you know what I'm saying? Rhadi, he's out of town more than I am.
And, so we did talk one time and, yes, he's dying to work with me. We just haven't - I just haven't been able to link up with him yet.
Sharon Rob: Got you. Thanks Kimbo.
Mr. (Galati): Operator, we've only got time for two more questions.
Operator: Okay, your last question comes from the line of (David Debert) with Kanye West News.
(David Debert): Hey again Kimbo. I am curious about that very first day of taping. You know, we saw it unfold, 15 other fighters out there. They had all kind of met each other, introduced to nationwide audience. And then you get the big grand entrance.
Were you nervous, you know, that very first day? And how did you feel about the way you were introduced to the other fighters and to everyone else?
Kimbo Slice: Well I didn't know what to expect. No, I wasn't nervous. And, you know, when I walked in the room, I just seen a bunch of guys stand up and I didn't know what happened. I didn't know what was going on.
And I - shit, I was going to go stand over there by the coaches and (Dehner), you know what I'm saying and looked at (two) guys too. Shit, I didn't know what to think, you know what I'm saying? But it was a good experience (unintelligible). It was different.
(David Debert): All right, that sounds good.
Operator: We do have one more question. And it comes from Neil Davidson with the Canadian Press.
Neil Davidson: Yes Kimbo. Do I take it then you're fighting December 12 in Memphis?
Kimbo Slice: Yes. Say that again?
Neil Davidson: Are you fighting December 12 in Memphis?
Kimbo Slice: Yes, I can't comment on that one now.
Neil Davidson: So that was a yes, no comment?
Okay, I guess that's it.
Mr. (Galati): All right Neil.
Operator: At this time we have no further questions.
Mr. (Galati): All right, thanks everybody.
Operator: That concludes today's conference call. You may now disconnect.
END