Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson 2 almost happened at Bellator 123

Former Bellator matchmaker, Sam Caplan was recently interviewed by Sherdog and shared some interesting stories regarding his time with the promotion.

Among these, was a story from just months ago, on how Bellator almost had Kimbo Slice convinced to make a return to Mixed Martial Arts:

“I wanted Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson for Bellator 123. That was one thing we had looked at before Scott Coker came in. I had Bjorn sold on that idea. I started negotiations with Kimbo’s management, and Bjorn went down there to close, and he met with Kimbo’s manager in Miami. It was a great meeting. We thought it was going to happen, but I think Kimbo had some reservations about getting back into MMA. I think he wants to stick strictly to a stand-up fight style.”

Kimbo Slice and James Thompson originally squared off in May of 2008 at an EliteXC event that aired on CBS. Kimbo ended up winning that fight via third-round TKO when Thompson’s ear ruptured and the ref stepped in to stop the bout.

Slice has not competed in mixed martial arts since losing to Matt Mitrione at UFC 113 in 2010.

Meanwhile, Thompson last competed at June’s Bellator 121 event in Oklahoma, where he scored a first-round TKO win over Eric Prindle.

Had Sam Caplan and Bjorn Rebney been able to put a Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson rematch together would you have tuned in to watch? Sound off Penn Nation!