After Ken Shamrock was forced to withdraw at the last minute prior to Saturday night’s scheduled EliteXC main event clash with Kimbo Slice, Seth Petruzelli walked into the BankAtlantic Center expecting to fight on the undercard and walked out victorious with a brutal TKO win over Slice in a rearranged main event bout.

Slice was supposed to fight mixed martial arts legend Ken Shamrock, but Shamrock was injured during training before the match and was unable to fight.

Petruzelli was scheduled to fight Aaron Rosa on the undercard, but accepted a shot at Slice when Shamrock couldn’t go.

”He obviously didn’t need to take the fight,” Petruzelli said. “When you get a fight, usually you get five or six weeks notice to train for that specific person. He’s a warrior for stepping up at the last minute; I did the same.

“If he ever wanted a rematch, I’d 100 per cent give it to him.”

He earned the biggest win of his career in the main event of CBS EliteXC Saturday Night Fights in front of a network television audience and a hometown crowd of more than 7,400.

He caught Slice in the head with a knee after Slice rushed him to open the bout and then delivered blows to Slice’s head until the referee called the match.

Petruzelli jumped and pumped his fists while Slice remained dazed on the mat and a crowd that included Hulk Hogan and daughter, Brooke, let out a collective gasp.

”I didn’t really feel too, too, too bad about it,” said Slice, who did not take questions but gave a statement. “This is an opportunity for everybody to be part of something big. A rising tide lifts all ships.

“At the beginning of the night, we didn’t know who this guy was. Now everybody knows who he is.”

Slice’s original opponent, Shamrock, was supposed to offer him a legitimate opponent.

Despite being 44 years old and losing in the first round of five consecutive fights, Shamrock, a UFC Hall of Famer, is one of the sport’s most recognised names with a 26-13-2 record.

Petruzelli is a former UFC light-heavyweight champion, but he doesn’t have a CV to match Shamrock’s.

Shamrock apparently took a head butt during a training session earlier on Saturday and sustained a deep cut that required stitches.

Dr. Alan Fields of the Florida State Athletic Commission examined the eye and deemed Shamrock unable to fight.

The crowd at BankAtlantic Center, waiting to watch the hometown Slice, booed loudly when the change was announced.

“Honestly, man, it was a crappy situation for both of us,” added Petruzelli.

Phil Lowe
phil@ifight365.com