Slice-Petruzelli fight under investigation

A Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation official has told ESPN.com the government body that oversees the state's boxing commission has opened a preliminary investigation into Kimbo Slice's knockout loss to little-known Seth Petruzelli on Saturday.

"While the Department of Business and Professional Regulation doesn't have any reason to believe there was a problem with the Slice-Petruzelli fight, given the interest in it, the department has begun a preliminary investigation to thoroughly review the circumstances of the fight," Jennifer Meale, Communications Director for the DBPR, told ESPN.com.

When The Times contacted a department spokeswoman late Wednesday, she said there was no formal complaint filed; thus no plans for an investigation.

The fight's outcome was stunning given Slice's popularity built in YouTube-aired street fights. But Petruzelli added a new wrinkle on Monday when he told an Orlando, Fla., radio station he was approached by Elite XC promoters before the fight and told he'd earn extra money if he made it a stand-up bout -- which plays to Slice's strength.

Pro Elite, the fight organization's parent company, is in financial duress. Many mixed martial arts web sites pounced on the idea that a near fix was ordered -- the thinking boosted by the fact the company was desperate to keep its most popular fighter unbeaten as it angles for cash from CBS, which televised the Slice bout as a main event with more than four million viewers watching.

Jeremy Lappen, head of fight operations for Pro Elite, wasn't immediately available when The Times attempted to contact him late Thursday, but he told ESPN.com he wasn't concerned about the investigation. He told The Times Wednesday the situation was a "non-story," because he was confident no one from his organization attempted to manipulate the outcome.

Petruzelli has since altered his comments to say he was referring to winning a knockout bonus by keeping the fight a stand-up exchange.

Rival promoter Dana White of the more powerful MMA organization Ultimate Fighting Championship said the questions about the fight "makes me sick to my stomach."

-- Lance Pugmire

Photo: Seth Petruzelli celebrates his victory over Kimbo Slice. Credit: EliteXC/CBS.

Comments

[shitlips]

Ya know what? that fight shouldn't be under investagation. it was a clean fight, slice just got his ass kicked, so whats the big deal? proof that kimbo slice is an overrated jerk? thats it.

[Shack]

I disagree, it should be investigated. Nothing from that fight smells right, including the Shamrock shenanagins.... rumors are swirling that a similiar approach was brought to the Shamrock camp, and then when you add in Shamrock coming in at 206 for a heavyweight fight and the timing of his injury, the selection of Petruzelli as a replacement, the offer to him etc etc etc...

[King Peter]

You don't need to be an MMA expert to see that Kimbo, although improved, is not a legit MMA fighter. He may be a good street brawler but thats totally different. He has nothing close to the well rounded skills of even B or C level guys like Petruzelli. Even Granpa "depends wearing" Shamrock would have made minch meat out of Kimbo.

[Ixcabron]

I've seen Kimbo get hit a LOT harder than that before and many more times... I'm having trouble figuring out which hit was the one that knocked him down cuz the foot never hit him, and the little jab that Petruzelli did land could've been thrown by my 10 year old sister.

[stouder8]

If you watched the fight then you should agree with lxcabron. Kimbo got hit by a sissy jab to the eye and after he went down he got hit on the back of the head once and in the shoulder, everything else missed or barely glanced off of his body, and the kick did nothing more than create a little space. If this fight wasn't fixed then it was definitely a very quick stoppage considering Kimbo wasn't actually getting hit.

[matt]

dana is right. slice is just a baby. take oyur medicine like a man chump.

[Matt]

Hahahaha Kimbo got knocked out by a "SISSY" jab.... because he didnt see it coming and he got caught on the button. If you knew more about the sport other then other then the best spot to watch it on TV... you wouldnt be asking any questions. Kimbo lost farely. The shot to the back of the head wasnt a fight making or breaking punch... even if it had been.... it would only call for a warning being that it was the first offense. Kimbo got knocked out... plain and simple. Thats what happens in a fight. Anyone on any given day can get caught.

[Joel Bretthauer]

It should be under investigation, simply for the fact IF someone did offer money to keep it a stand up,then that is pretty much trying to put a fix in,even if it back fired and kimbo lost. Also I'm tired of people acting like he took a fall. Seth petruzelli's back was agianst the cage,and Kimbo Slice was shooting in. With that said the He took a jab right near the temple while comming in and as I said seth's back against a wall made it a much harder blow,and he took it right on the temple damn near ! His head snapped around, and he went down. Then he got hit 5 or 6 more times on the ground wich sealed the deal. Nobody would grab the ref. if they were together which showed everone what I allready knew."that anything can happen in a fight,or that anyone can beat anyone else..... expect the unexpected. Because it will happen from time to time, and I'm glad it did. It wasn't the first time an upset has happened. seth gained from the fight, kimbo looked like a fool. But the real looser in this is ELITE XC, with the charges of fight tampering. They took a real blow to thier credibility. At least they still have one very exciting fighter in CUNG LE, i can't believe they don't give him more credit. He broke Frank Shamrock's arm, and was beating him up the whole time....should be ranked higher maybee after some one can take him to the ground. Where he does have wrestling experiance... but it's just my humble view !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! keep it real, do your homework, or in other words, " don't be a fool, stay in school" !!!!!!! Joel B.

[Charles Crump]

I was a bit speechless about this bout up until now. Petruzelli clearly hit Kimbo in the back of the head on two occasions, and the official did not call Petruzelli on it, which is rediculous. The Slice-Shamrock fight should have been postponed. A Slice-Petruzelli fight should not have even went through the minds of the commissioner. Both fighters should have had the night off. Some of the folks who think that Kimbo losing that fight is funny, why don't you fight him. After he breaks your jaw or rattle your brain, it won't be funny, will it? Shut your mouths! An investigation is necessary, VERY NECESSARY! Kimbo was clearly robbed! He was not too happy to hear that Ken Shamrock was pulled out of the fight. There should still be a Kimbo Slice Vs. Ken Shamrock fight on an Elite card. Kimbo Slice is still clearly a good fighter, but every fighter loses. Ken Shamrock is one hell of a fighter. A UFC veteran and hall of famer. When these two gladiators meet in the future, I will tune in to whatever channell is broadcasting this fight. Both fighters have my respect and admiration. I wish them both the best of luck.

[4rhodes]

Investigate, investigate, investigate!!!! That multi-color haired punk bearly hit kimbo. We watched it in slow motion over & over & over again. That hit wasn't enough to knock Kimbo out, or even down for that matter! INVESTIGATE!!!!!!

[Calcium Craig]

Kimbo slice could barely stand up after 'winning' the fight against the Mega Punk. Even after the Pretruzelli fight, we have not seen him go up against any real talent. The Petruzelli incident doesn't really say Kimbo is a poor MMA fighter. Rather that he got caught. If you want to question his performance, look at the Mega Punk fight.

Kimbo is lower tier regardless. Still exciting I guess to watch, but people are going to bore quickly of Elite XC protecting their property by putting him up against washed up old dudes or B class fighters.

Kimbo could not hang in any real MMA circuit.

[bimbo slice]

MMA is for sissys with weak jaws

[Jay-Wheelz]

I think it should be t under investigation. Not just because Kimbo lost, but because that is the third short notice fight he's received. Now some may be like so he took street fights on the fly. The reality is, those street fights were just that street fights.

These MMA fighters are pros. This is there life. They aren't there for a one and done match. Kimbo shoulda been smart and not took the match on the strength of not known anything about your opponent. Thats my issue, I think it was a fixed fight and Kimbo put his rep on the line because of his pride and being a man that don't believe in giving back or losing money. Now my last point is, the that sissy punch have had some extra help in it.

[chris]

You people that continue to defend kimbo silce are complete morons. kimbo was nothing more than a joke riding the money train the internet and xc created. he had no talent at all when it comes to mma. he is 34 years old and has 4 pro fights with one loss. i mean how far did you think this was going to go on. elite xc is complete junk. a bunch of losers that maybe were good at one time or another but for the most part losers. take the first show that came on cbs. when you have a guy in the next to last fight come down to the ring with fireworks and a girl on each arm called the the new york badass or whatever some might would think man this guy must be good, then you see his record is like 10-9 or something like that, then loses that fight too....give me a break. kimbo fought tomatoes and thats it. kimbo is done!

[chris]

hey guess what people, kimbo did not have to take that fight! he did, he got is ass kicked, and he got paid extra for taking the fight! for those of you that dont understand, the investigation is to see if promoters tried to make this fight a stand up fight. thats it. mma is not boxing, so when promoters come in and say you will get extra money in you make it a slugfest is very very wrong. anyways if kimbo was as good as you people thought he was, dont you think this would have helped kimbo? it didnt because he has no talent. he beats up bums and thats it. kimbo got hit hard it that fight, think about it, you are leaning into a guy up against a cage he is a trained heavyweight fighter and kimbo got hit right above the eye, it stunned him, he fell down and the guy finished it......thats the way it goes......if kimbo continues to fight it will still be against bums b/c he cant and wont beat good fighters. he wont be back, the hype is gone and possibly elite xc might be gone they were already in the hole and now the "headliner" has lost. its over. ufc is real mma. with real talent

[smitty]

kimbo fits in good with mma fighters they all have glass jaws

[dIZZLE]

KIMBO GOT WHAT HE DESERVED.. CONRATS TO MY BOY SETH.. SEE U ROUND ORLANDO BRO!!

[Biily]

Dana is a self center idiot if u ask me

[James Sundin]

maybe kimbo has that beard to hide his glass jaw.

[Joe Pike]

Reading the comments show that the MMA crowd is the most illiterate group sans the WWE crowd.

[Jesse]

Have you guy's seen all of Kimbo Slice MMA fights he has no ground game and very little stand up, He can hit very hard but thats it.

I have enjoyed watching him on youtube with backyard fights back in the day like everyone else but the truth is if he fights any well know fighters his own age group not 10 years older then him he will be knock out or he will tap out on the ground so back to the truth he was welcomed into the the ELITE XE MMA to bring up ratings to incress revenue.

Kimbo Slice is nothing more then a token, So lets keep things real here.

[Joel Bretthauer]

I agree with charles crump , chris is an idoit. kimbo is still one bad mamma jamma, and seth is no slouch,just cause you haven't sen him, and that's because those people jump on and off the MMA band wagon, But go CUNG LE !!!!!!!!!!!!!! and yes Kimbo has a long way to go in training put him in against brock lesner who got so much flak for getting caught in a hell hook, my guess Brock beat's him silly.. just mt humble opion

Joel Bretthauer life long MMA fan,before it was cool to do so !!!!!!!!!!!!! freaking haters

[1sttimefan]

I was at the Kimbo Slice/Ken Shamrock/Seth Petruzelli Fight and LET ME TELL YOU. IT WAS INTENSE! I do agree there should be some sort o investigation because it was all too convenient that Seth's fight was skipped WAY earlier in the night and THEN it was announced pretty much RIGHT before Ken Shamrock was to fight that he was being pulled. Regardless of the fact that NO ONE ever expected Petruzelli to win, it was DAMN entertaining, but highly questionable. (That night has made a lifetime fan out of me! The Cristiane "cyborg" Santos fight was AMAZING and AS USUAL, my girl Gina Carano HELD IT DOWN! She's a POWERHOUSE!) GO GINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Truth]

Hey everyone, whether the fight was rigged or not.. whether the person you wanted to win did or not... heres the facts.. petruzzelli delivered a hammer shot to the back of kimbos head and before that used the cage for leverage when attempting a front kick... the ref is at fault for not calling the obvious violations and for ending the fight when he did because there should have been a 5 minute recoop period .. but i will say this... kimbo needs to get out there and fight someone soon

[jeffery]

well ,i have 2 say this .and people gonna say what they feel,true kimbo is a over hyped fighter that people brought to the t.v screen.but the matter of the fact,a blind man could see,that fight didnt look right,so to investigate .could prove a point,but agian it may not solve nothing.well he loss ,what's his next step..