Eight years ago today, the MMA world was turned upside down with one punch and 14 seconds. Ultimate Fighter season 2 alum Seth Petruzelli, who was filling in for Ken Shamrock after a last-minute cut forced Shamrock off the card, had done something remarkable. He knocked out Kimbo Slice in one of the highest viewed MMA events in television history.
Elite XC: Heat, was the promotions most successful televised MMA card and also their last. Even with a whopping 4.6 million viewers during the main event between Kimbo and Petruzelli, the bizarre eleventh-hour change of opponents coupled with the even more bizarre outcome of the main event completely undermined Elite XC’s credibility in the MMA world.
See for yourself the punch that ended Kimbo Slice’s mystique as well as Elite XC as an MMA promotion.
Kimbo and Shamrock would eventually end the nearly decade long feud that had developed at Bellator 149 back in February. Kimbo won that fight by first round knockout after Shamrock almost submitted him with a rear-naked choke.
Unfortunately, both men testing positive for steroids in their post-fight drug tests, as well as opioids for Shamrock. In an extremely tragic turn of events, Slice passed away from a heart attack in June.
Were you one of the 4.6 million viewers who watched the fight live? After eight years, what is your perception of this fight and the fallout it caused? Sound off in the comments section, PENN Nation!