Kimbo Slice takes EliteXC (Elite Xtreme Combat) Mixed Martial Arts mainstream tonight on CBS as he will fight Britain’s James Thompson. Saturday Night Fights will get underway at 9:00pm EST in a move that CBS is hoping brings a younger audience to the network.

Thompson brings a 14-8 record into tonight’s match against the 2-0 Kimbo. The crowd is likely to be very much on the side of Kimbo, who is an You Tube internet legend and fan favorite. Kimbo will have to deal with Thompson’s size and youth if he wants to walk away the winner.

So who is this Kimbo Slice dude that EliteXC is banking on to take the sport to its biggest audience on CBS. Here is a quick glimpse into the story of Kimbo:

His given name is Kevin Ferguson, once a football player of modest renown at Miami-Palmetto High School. In the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, Ferguson entered the ranks of the homeless. Down to little more than his natural skill set — “been fighting since I was 13,” he says — he found a way to make ends meets as a bouncer and a bodyguard. With the requisite aura of menace, he served as an escort for the aforementioned producers whose videos sought to bring an illusion of prurient realism (ie. desperately hot mommies) to the masses. But his big break came as a street fighter, having administered spectacularly brutal beatings in backyards, alleys and garages.

Actually, it was his great good fortune that these unsanctioned bouts turned out to be anything but private. Filmed on hand-held cameras — a video porn man’s weapon of choice — his beatdowns became YouTube sensations. “I had no idea it would take off like this,” said Kimbo, 34, a father of five who reportedly does not own a computer. (see video below of Kimbo fighting on YouTube)

The under card includes impressive matches between seasoned veterans Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith. Laura Croft hottie Gina Carano will take on the multi-skilled Kaitlin Young in the token female match of the night. Loud mouthed Phil Baroni will battle Joey Villasenor who has been extremely impressive to date. And don’t forget the battle of unique hair between Brett Rogers and Jon Murphy.

EliteXC Photos, Video and Stats Below:

Robbie Lawler (15-4) vs. Scott Smith (13-4)

Gina Carano (5-0) vs. Kaitlin Young (4-1)

Phil Baroni (10-9) vs. Joey Villasenor (25-6)

Brett Rogers (7-0) vs. Jon Murphy (4-2)

Kimbo Slice (2-0) vs. James Thompson (14-8)

UFC and MMA have long surpassed boxing as the most popular fighting forum in America. They have both been smart about putting their matches on free TV. The fighters in MMA and UFC are also guys you can like and root for. They aren’t overpriced divas who fight once every 16 months.

Check Back (Refresh) for Updated Results:

Brett Rogers Defeated Jon Murphy (First Round Knockout 1:01)

Joey Villasenor Defeated Phil Baroni (First Round Knockout 1:11)

Gina Carano Defeated Kaitlin Young (TKO, Stopped at End of Round 2)

Robbie Lawler No Contest Scott Smith (Fight Stopped After Lawler Fingered Smith’s Eye, Lawler Retains Title)

Kimbo Slice Defeated James Thompson (Third Round Knockout 0:38)