Kimbo Slice made quite the impression on the world of mixed martial arts, rising from the ranks of “backyard” fighter to competing for both the UFC and Bellator MMA.
Slice, real name Kevin Ferguson, suddenly passed away on June 6, 2016 at just 42 years old.
It was announced that Slice died of heart failure after being admitted to the hospital a day before. An autopsy revealed a mass on his liver, with Bellator CEO Scott Coker saying after the passing “We are all shocked and saddened by the devastating and untimely loss of Kimbo Slice, a beloved member of the Bellator family.”
During his athletic career, Slice went a perfect 7-0 in boxing matches with six knockouts, while going 5-2 with a no-contest inside the cage. His last appearance came in February 2016 for Bellator at Bellator 149 against Dada 5000.
The UFC brought Slice in to compete on The Ultimate Fighter, as he scored a first round submission over Ray Mercer before falling to eventual champion Roy Nelson in the second round.
At The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale, Slice scored a decision victory over veteran Houston Alexander. He lost his next UFC bout to Matt Mitrione in 2010, signing with Bellator five years later and finishing Ken Shamrock in the first round.
Slice won his first three professional bouts, including a 43-second knockout of Tank Abbott in 2008.
Kevin Ferguson, Jr., one of Slice’s six children, is currently a fighter and signed to a contract with Bellator MMA.
Slice also had cross-over appeal, appearing in five films and a television episode titled Merry Christmas, Drake and Josh. He was also in films Blood and Bone, Locked Down, Circle of Pain, The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption and Dawg Fight.
Kimbo Slice – One Of A Kind
We’re honoring Kimbo Slice by taking a look back and celebrating his legacy as a family man, a friend and a fighter.
