TUF Cast Members Kimbo Slice and Matt Mitrione to Fight

Despite conflicting reports, Fellow TUF 10 cast mates Kimbo Slice and Matt Mitrione will indeed face off in May at UFC 113, as confirmed by MMAJunkie.

There are no mentions of the weight class in which this bout is to take place, but a safe assumption is heavyweight, considering that was the theme of the latest installation of TUF and Slice's difficulty to cut down to the catchweight of 215 pounds for his rather forgettable fight with Houston Alexander at the live finale.

Slice was able to sneak by Alexander in a fight that was created to showcase a stand-up fight, but unfolded in a disappointing charade of circling and hesitation.  Houston Alexander was released from the UFC following his uncharacteristic performance.  This decision wasn't as callous as it seemed in retrospect after Alexander then lost again to Joey Beltran in his next fight at 5150, and of course Beltran, a.k.a. "The Mexicutioner" spoiled the highly anticipated debut of Rolles Gracie at UFC 109.

Mitrione is another striking-oriented fighter who has shown no propensity to engage in a ground battle, so Kimbo gets another "do-over" against a stand-up fighter to prove be belongs on the big stage of the UFC.

Mitrione surprised many by unleashing a vicious set of hands on the show, clobbering Scott Junk in a sloppy outing, but getting the win before moving on and tapping to James McSweeney's guillotine.  Mitrione's long reach and stiff power were again on display in his knockout of Marcus Jones in the TUF finale.  I actually see Mitrione's technique, speed, accuracy, and long, linear punches from the southpaw stance as presenting quite a difficult challenge to Kimbo, who has struggled to find his rhythm striking in MMA.

Also set for UFC 113 on May 8th in Montreal is the rematch between Lyoto Machida and "Shogun" Rua for the light-heavyweight strap, Paul Daley vs. Josh Koscheck, Marcus Davis vs. Jonathan Goulet, and Tim Credeur vs. Tom Lawlor.