The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Slice made his reputation with several underground bouts that became wildly popular on the Internet. In his first MMA-sanctioned bout, Slice knocked out former heavyweight boxer Ray Mercer. Elite XC then signed Slice and the company hoped to profit from the fighter's popularity in nationally televised fights.
But Slice lost some credibility during his third-round victory over James Thompson in May, when Slice spent several minutes getting pummeled on the mat during the second round. And Slice's quick knockout loss on Saturday didn't provide CBS with a compelling main event for an audience of 4.5 million viewers.
"Seth Petruzelli beating Kimbo did nothing for no one except Seth Petruzelli," said Frank Shamrock, CBS' MMA analyst and an Elite XC fighter.
Elite XC officials have spent this week explaining Petruzelli's radio comments.
Jeremy Lappen, Elite XC fight operations chief, said, "Press reports that Elite XC suggested or paid money to . . . Petruzelli to keep his fight against Kimbo Slice off the ground are false. . . .
"Seth Petruzelli was offered a fee to fight Kimbo Slice, plus a knockout bonus, a common practice throughout the industry. Elite XC organizes and promotes fights. We have not, do not, and will not suggest or dictate fighters' strategies or tactics. How the fighters perform in the cage is at the sole discretion of the athletes involved."
Petruzelli has since tried to clarify that the "money" he earned for standing and trading punches with Slice was the knockout bonus.
But Elite XC consultant Gary Shaw said he wouldn't hesitate to "go to a fighter and say, 'We're looking for a stand-up fight.' You're not asking him to throw a fight. You're talking about a fan-friendly fight, not about protecting Kimbo."
Shaw said he has urged MMA fighters in the past to maximize the action, to avoid an abundance of yawn-inspiring wrestling.
"Do I think that's unethical? No," Shaw said. "Because in MMA, you get bonus money for a knockout. I don't see it as unethical . . . asking him to be TV and fan friendly."
Meanwhile, questions persist about whether Elite XC tried to protect Slice from a loss. When Ken Shamrock bowed out of the fight, Frank Shamrock, a former UFC champion (and Ken's adopted brother), said he volunteered to fight Slice.
Slice instead selected Petruzelli.
"It would've been great TV, and Kimbo losing to me, a respected veteran, would've been OK," Shamrock said. "I bet a lot of it was Kimbo's decision. You can see him making it: 'Do I want Frank, with all these records? Or this no-name [Petruzelli] with pink hair?'
"As for Pro Elite, are they looking after their baby? I hope so. Are they conspiring to ensure he wins? I don't think so."
Slice has not commented on his loss to Petruzelli.
Slice will probably be on Elite XC's next CBS show. Shaw acknowledges the ex-street fighter is a "work in progress," but continues selling the charisma of the former bodyguard.
"I don't think the loss does anything. He's got the 'it' factor, like Mike Tyson," Shaw said. "He walks into a building and the place erupts."
Times staff writer Dan Arritt contributed to this report.
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lance.pugmire@latimes.com
