Professional mixed martial artist and UFC and Bellator veteran Kimbo Slice died on Monday, May 6 at the age of 42.
“We are all shocked and saddened by the devastating and untimely loss of Kimbo Slice, a beloved member of the Bellator family,” Bellator president Scott Coker said in a statement. He added that Slice was a “charismatic, larger-than-life personality that transcended the sport.”
Before his MMA career, Slice was a backyard brawler gone viral on the Internet. Eventually, he appeared on The Ultimate Fighter Season 10: Heavyweights, the UFC reality show. Despite an exhibition loss to Roy Nelson on the show, Slice was signed to a contract. He went 1-1 for the promotion in 2009-10, with a unanimous decision win over Houston Alexander and a TKO loss to Matt Mitrione in, who is now a Bellator fighter.
The UFC released a statement on Slice’s passing as well:
“UFC is saddened to learn of the passing of Kevin Ferguson, known to fans around the world as Kimbo Slice.
Slice will forever be a part of UFC history as a contestant on season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2009, and for having fought twice inside the Octagon at The Ultimate Fighter Finale and UFC 113. He carried himself as a true professional during his time in our organization.
While he will never be forgotten for his fighting style and transcendent image, Slice will also be remembered for his warm personality and commitment to his family and friends. UFC offers its sincere condolences to Slice’s family, friends and teammates at American Top Team.”
In 2015, Slice returned to the MMA world when he signed with Bellator. He went 1-0 with one no contest for the promotion, and was set to fight James Thompson again in July, whom he defeated by TKO in 2008 for EliteXC in a bout where Slice almost knocked Thompson’s ear off.
In Slice’s Bellator career, he knocked out Ken Shamrock in his first fight with the promotion after nearly being choked out. Slice defeated his rival, Dada 5000, by KO as well in the third round of an infamous fight. The second fight was overturned to a no contest after Slice tested positive for anabolic steroids and an elevated testosterone ratio. Slice’s MMA career came to an end with him holding a 5-2 professional record with one no contest.
Many are mourning the loss of Slice. Former street fighter and current UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal tweeted, “I knew Kimbo since I was 19. I was a kid. Wouldn’t be where I’m at it if it wasn’t for him.”
“Outside of the cage he was a friendly, gentle giant and a devoted family man,” Coker said. “His loss leaves us all with extremely heavy hearts, and our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Ferguson family and all of Kimbo’s friends, fans, and teammates.”
It’s safe to say that the MMA world won’t be the same without Kimbo Slice.
Featured Image via
