Former street brawler/TUF alum Kimbo Slice knocks out fellow street brawler DaDa 500.
Bellator 149’s co-headliner was expected to be more of a throwback to the old spectacle days of MMA, given the street brawler vs. street brawler angle between Kimbo Slice and DaDa 5000.
DaDa held a slight advantage on the feet, but Kimbo has learned to fight a little smarter and not engage in an all-out slugfest. His Ultimate Fighter training came into play, as he learned how to mix things up through takedowns.
What was the high point of the fight?
It was when both men were gassed out, but continued throwing bombs at each other. It became more of a test of will, and everything about fighting technical was thrown out the window.
The third round began with both men still exhausted. Kimbo just had exhibited more poise, and was able to position himself to land the finishing right upper cut to DaDa’s chin.
Where do these two go from here?
With both men being on their late thirties/early forties, it would not be a healthy idea for them to be fighting in ‘rock ‘em sock ‘em robot’ fights such as this one.
Buto his credit, Kimbo has already veered himself away from being a too much of a slugger, and is beginning to learn to take on a more practical approach. As for DaDa, he may need to familiarize himself with today’s MMA game and see that the brawler mindset is ineffective.
Watch now, later, or never?
Given the immense evolution of today’s MMA game wherein fighters generally hold a more technical approach, it is always nostalgic to see these old school “eat one to give one” kind of fights.
.@KimboSlice wins it in round 3! #Bellator149https://t.co/0Q7q6Mcpnn
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) February 20, 2016