What do Kimbo Slice, George Bush and Billy Bob Thornton have in common?

The Kimbo Slice fight on The Ultimate Fighter Finale on Saturday was the most watched UFC fight in 2009, peaking with 5.2 million viewers. But it wasn’t the most-watched MMA fight – that honour belongs to the best MMA fighter in the world, Fedor Emelianenko, whose Strikeforce debut bout with Brett Rogers on CBS drew 5.46 million.

Kimbo’s not doing badly for a guy who did not win a fight on the show, refused another chance to fight when UFC president Dana White offered, was presented a fatted calf in Houston Alexander at a catchweight bout and then bitched about cutting weight. Winners never quit and quitters never win, unless you are a ratings magnet like Kimbo.

Kimbo still holds the record for the most-watched fight in American MMA: Slice vs. James Thompson attracted 7.28 million viewers at an EliteXC event on May 31, 2008.

In a world where Kimbo holds viewing records, George Bush can be president and Billy Bob Thornton can marry Angelina Jolie, there might be hope for all of us. Kimbo fights for every man who lacks skills, knowledge, training, experience and good looks but still craves success.

If it’s any consolation, some of the most-watched fights in the world involved some of MMA’s less-than-stellar athletes. Bob Sapp has been in two out of three of Japan’s biggest draws. Sapp vs. Akebono drew a whopping 54-million television viewers, making it the most-viewed MMA fight in Japan. The fourth most watched fight in Japanese history involved a Nigerian comedian who was popular at the time. From Kimbo to Sapp watching the not-so-greats of MMA keeps eyes peeled to their televisions.