Carano and Kimbo: The Outsiders

EliteXC’s debut show featured both Kimbo Slice and Gina Carano. That debut featured strong ratings throughout the night, and a media storm. However EliteXC’s follow up show was a dismal failure. At the moment it appears that the simultaneous presence of these two individuals is required for CBS and EliteXC to have any success. Both of these individuals are outsiders to the traditional MMA community and that may be the reason for their success.

While Gina Carano is the face of female MMA, female MMA was an item of debate in the hardcore community (and still is, see Kim Couture’s last fight) until the EliteXC-CBS television deal. The largest and most successful MMA organization, the UFC, still has no place for female fighters and Dana White has gone on record saying it won’t happen anytime soon. If EliteXC fails, which has looked as question of when not if, there would be no national organization for Carano to fall back upon, besides being an American Gladiator. Presently Gina has been accepted by a majority of the hardcore community, but doubts still linger. The quality of competition is low (still waiting on the Cyborg fight) and it appears that EliteXC’s tailored made Carano female division still has weight issues.

Kimbo is an outsider as well. Compared to other MMA fighters he is unbelievably popular with mainstream America. The hardcore community does not appreciate that fame. Why should Kimbo, who has not performed well at all in his MMA career, be the face of mixed martial arts? Aren’t there other more accomplished and intelligent members of the community to lead the charge? Of course there are, but Kimbo’s story is a mirror of MMA. Downtrodden, violent, underground, viewed with skepticism yet powerful, transfixing and entertaining.

These two fighters are the face of MMA for EliteXC and CBS. Their presence together garners ratings and curiosity. Is it fair to the other female and male fighters who see their hard work unrewarded for the success of such outsiders. Who knows, but EliteXC’s success is directly dependent on their success.