MIAMI - Before a sellout crowd of 6,187 that produced the single largest gate in the history of the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami, Kimbo Slice registered a 43-second, first-round knockout over David "Tank" Abbott Saturday (Feb. 16) on SHOWTIME.

"We promised the fans a good, classy show, and we delivered a great one,'' said EliteXC live events president and University of Miami alum, Gary Shaw. "EliteXC showed tonight, once again, what MMA is all about. There were great fights with dramatic finishes, a little bit of everything for everybody.
"As a promoter, you want the fans to leave with a good taste, and I truly believe that each and every person in attendance here tonight left the venue happy and completely satisfied.

"I couldn't be prouder of the athletes, who acted like world champions before, during and afterward, or the fans, who turned out in record numbers. We look forward to returning to Miami again.

"This was just a tremendously exciting night from start to finish. Honestly, I don't think any organization puts on better, more competitive fights that we do.''

Tank spent more time on the ground than on his feet, going down three times from legitimate punches and a couple other times from slips.

 "I wanted him to get up, I wanted to bang,'' Kimbo (http://kimboslice.proelite.com) said. "I had to push him off because we were too close.  Then I just knocked him down. It was great fighting in front of the hometown fans. I'd be lying if I told you they didn't jack me up. Miami, you are my home.

 "I have a lot of respect for Tank. This was one of my dream fights, along with Mike Tyson. But I am ready to fight anybody and ready to fight again really soon."

Abbott (9-14), of Huntington Beach, Calif., gave it his all, as expected.
"I tried to take it to him at the start and take him to the ground, but then I just said, the heck with that and started to fight,'' Tank (http://tankabbott.proelite.com) said. "But I ran into one and that was it. I was just getting started.

"It is still too early to know how good or great Kimbo will be. But what I do know is that I absolutely want to keep fighting. Maybe I will go after Ken Shamrock.''

• In other SHOWTIME fights Saturday, Antonio "Big Foot" Silva (10-1), a highly touted Brazilian who lives in Coconut Creek, Fla., recorded a hard-fought three-round split decision over former champion Ricco Rodriguez (27-8), of Staten Island, N.Y.
• Unbeaten Brett Rogers (8-0), of  St. Paul, Minn., blasted out England's James "The Colossus" Thompson (16-8) in the first round.
• Scott "Hands Of Steel'' Smith (15-4), of Sacramento, Calif., knocked out Australian Kyle "The Ozzie" Noke (14-4-1), the bodyguard of the late Steve "Crocodile Hunter'' Irwin, in the second round.
• Yves Edwards (33-13-1), of Conroe, Tex., stopped  Edson "Little Tiger" Berto (14-5-1), of Tampa, Fla., in the opening session.