EliteXC Street Certified Preview

The eyes of the MMA world are focused on Miami this weekend, where tonight EliteXC presents Street Certified. The event is reportedly a sellout (capacity around 7,000) and will air live on Showtime. The main event is one of the more interesting fights booked so far this year as street fighter turned professional fighter Kimbo Slice takes on the UFC's legendary tough man Tank Abbott.

EXC has taken some heat for the Kimbo-Tank fight, undeservedly so in my opinion. The first goal of any promoter has to be to make money, true competition comes second. No one will argue that this is a top 10 heavyweight fight, or that it has major implications for the division, but what is undeniable is the importance of the fight for the company.

For better or worse, Gary Shaw has chosen to build around an internet legend in the form of Kimbo Slice. It's been mildly successful, outside of Frank Shamrock's fights this is probably the most anticipated fight the promotion has put on. Slice has even garnered some mainstream media coverage such as an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

I would describe his first fight as disappointing, though through no fault of his own, and this is important chance for him to pick up an impressive win over a name opponent. I'm not sure where Kimbo goes from here with a win, but the gig may be up as anything more than a mid-card curiosity with a loss.

Click here for a full preview from Sam Caplan.