The Shaws Sully MMA

Slice’s journey from internet fame to household name was the brainchild of one of MMA’s most reviled father-son duos, Gary and Jared Shaw. Gary was an established boxing promoter looking to parlay his talents in the MMA world, and Jared was a…self-described rapper whose father who was an established boxing promoter.  Together their most impressive accomplishment was to make the world of MMA promotion—which from time to time includes rigged judging and fighters getting stiffed on their paydays–look sleazy.

To quickly summarize some their crimes against humanity:

- The Shaws overhyped the already overhyped Kimbo Slice while legitimate fighters like Robbie Lawler, Nick Diaz, and Jake Shields were pushed to the background. A lot of promotions are guilty of playing this game, but Slice actually headlined three cards, twice getting top billing above championship fights.

- “Skala” was publicly busted sneaking a peak at Gina Carano while she weighed-in naked (okay, we’ll let that one slide)

- How desperately were they counting on Kimbo’s success? Well, Seth Petruzelli said he was bribed to limit his attacks so as to give Kimbo a better chance at victory. When that plan didn’t quite play out as the Shaws had expected, let’s just say that Kimbo’s son wasn’t the only person in the audience taking the loss to heart.

- Tied for the title of “Worst Promoter” in the prestigious 2008 “Potato Awards”

- Despite their landmark deal to air events on CBS, Pro Elite accrued over $55 million in debt in only two years. In the wake of Kimbogate, they were left with few options to move forward. They initially threw in the towel, but then played a shell game of “restructuring” while refusing to let fighters out of their contracts, which ultimately led fighters to sue for their right to earn a living with a promotion that actually intended to put on fights.

- Again, in case you missed the earlier link, just listen to $kala’s “music”. I can’t stress enough how truly awful it is.

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