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Mixed Martial Arts

Slice wins in MMA's debut on CBS

From wire reports
June 1, 2008

NEWARK, N.J. - Kimbo Slice had his hands full with James "The Colossus" Thompson, eventually stopping the big Briton as mixed martial arts made its Saturday night debut on CBS.

The fight was stopped 38 seconds into the third round with a dazed Thompson bleeding from the ear from big punches to the head. Slice, a former street brawler from Miami whose real name is Kevin Ferguson, improved to 3-0 after the main event at the Prudential Center.

Last night's five-fight card marked the first time a major network was to broadcast the rapidly growing sport during prime viewing hours. CBS had been searching for an MMA event to fill the time slot. In March, the network reached an agreement with Elite Extreme Combat to televise CBS EliteXC Saturday Night Fights.

Thompson (16-9) had been expected to be another quick victim for Slice. But the Briton handed Slice a beating on the ground late in the second, trapping his arm with a knee and delivering elbows and punches from above.

As the fight progressed, Thompson did well when he got Slice down. But he was in constant danger when the fighters remained on their feet.

"A very tough opponent," an exhausted Slice said after the fight. "I didn't underestimate him, but I didn't know he was going to be that strong on the ground. I've got a lot to learn."

Slice had needed just 19 seconds to dispose of Bo Cantrell in his MMA debut and 43 seconds to stop Tank Abbott the next time out. The 6-5, 265-pound Thompson was a different story, but he still lost for the third straight time and seventh time in his past nine fights.

Last night's event was the first of four cards scheduled to be shown on the network over the next year.

Related topic galleries: CBS Corp.

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