Kimbo Slice’s top 5 memorable MMA wins

MANILA, Philippines – The whole world mourned the passing of boxing legend and 3-time heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, who lost his 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease over the weekend.

With the entire combat sporting scene still mourning Ali, the mixed martial arts (MMA) industry was shocked by the sudden death of heavyweight fighter Kimbo Slice (5-2, 1 NC).

Slice, whose real name is Kevin Ferguson, died due to a congestive heart failure and a liver mass on Tuesday, June 7 (Manila time).

The 42-year-old Bahamian-American gained internet notoriety in 2003 when videos of his unsanctioned Miami street fights began to surface on YouTube and other video-sharing websites.

Slice’s popularity catapulted him to a nearly 9-year MMA career, turning professional in 2007 under the umbrella of the now-defunct EliteXC organization.

The 6-foot-2 bearded stalwart competed on Season 10 of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality television series in 2009, but he was eliminated by Roy Nelson in the preliminary round.

Although Slice was sent home early on the show, he managed to get a UFC contract and fought for the promotion twice.

After embarking on a boxing career and spending more than 5 years away from MMA, Slice made his return to the sport as part of the Bellator roster.

Rappler lists down the late Kimbo Slice’s top 5 triumphant performances inside an MMA cage.

5. Kimbo Slice submits ex-boxing champ Ray Mercer

While Slice turned pro in EliteXC on November 10, 2007, he had his first MMA match in Cage Fury Fighting Championships 5 months prior to his actual prizefighting debut, engaging in an exhibition bout against former WBO heavyweight titleholder Ray Mercer.

Under the tutelage of MMA legend Bus Rutten, Slice made an impact and submitted Mercer with a first-round guillotine choke.

 

4. Kimbo Slice finishes Bo Cantrell in 19 seconds

Slice did not disappoint in his first professional outing as an MMA competitor as he effortlessly trounced 20-fight veteran Bo Cantrell at EliteXC: Renegade in November 2007.

He got the job done in just 19 seconds, forcing Cantrell to wave the white flag with slaughtering punches on the ground.

 

3. Kimbo Slice rallies back to win over James Thompson

English fighter James Thompson banked on experience when he fought Slice at EliteXC: Primetime in May 2008 by repeatedly taking down the hard-hitting street brawler and pacifying him on the ground.

However, one punch changed the entire mood of the fight when Slice ruptured Thompson’s cauliflower ear with a haymaker in the opening seconds of the third round, prompting referee Dan Miragliotta to controversially stop the contest.

 

2. Kimbo Slice makes quick work of Tank Abbott

Slice only needed 43 seconds to knock UFC legend Dave “Tank” Abbott out cold when the two behemoths collided at EliteXC: Street Certified in May 2008.

In his second pro outing, Slice shut the lights off on Abbott with a left jab-right straight combination before delivering a follow-up uppercut.

 

1. Kimbo Slice survives choke, dispatches Ken Shamrock

There was a brief moment in their much-hyped war, where Ken Shamrock thought he had nemesis Slice beaten at Bellator 138 in June 2015.

After easily scoring single leg takedown, Shamrock quickly moved to back control and fastened a rear-naked choke, and the end appeared imminent.

Slice eventually escaped the submission hold and then stood toe-to-toe with Shamrock, sending “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” to the canvas with a big right hand before rushing in for the kill to compel referee “Big” John McCarthy to wave it off at 2:45 of the first round.

 

Farewell, Kimbo.

Kimbo Slice jumped in MMA’s rollercoaster ride at just the right time, portraying a tough underground figure who delivered through a disturbing media platform meant to broadcast from all the dark corners that never saw light.

Slice was not a championship-caliber fighter in MMA, but he could be considered as a self-made man who took his talents to another level and marketed himself to the moon.

It may be impossible to put Slice’s short-lived MMA run at par with the all-time heavyweight greats such as Fedor Emelianenko, Randy Couture, Mark Coleman and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, but he will always be fondly remembered for his entertaining fights that literally guided the audience’s butts to their seats to watch the sport.

Rappler extends its sincerest condolences and sympathies to the friends and loved ones of Kimbo Slice. – Rappler.com