MMA fighter Kimbo Slice dies at 42

MANILA, Philippines – Kimbo Slice, the bearded tough man who parlayed street fight videos into a mixed martial arts career, has died at age 42 on Monday, June 6 (Tuesday Manila time), multiple outlets are reporting. He was aged 42.

TMZ first reported that Slice was taken to a hospital in “dire condition.” Yahoo Sports confirmed with a police source that he was taken to Northwest Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and that police do not suspect foul play in the death.

Born Kevin Ferguson in Nassau, Bahamas, the Miami, Florida-based Slice made his name in the mid-2000s through viral bareknuckle fight videos on YouTube, attracting attention from upstart MMA company EliteXC in 2008. Slice won his first two fights before being upset by replacement opponent Seth Petruzelli in 14 seconds. 

Slice signed with Ultimate Fighting Championship, appearing on The Ultimate Fighter reality show in 2009 and fighting at UFC 113, losing in the second round to Matt Mitrione.

Slice took time off from MMA to pursue a boxing career before returning 5 years later in Bellator MMA, defeating Ken Shamrock in June of 2015. His final bout was in February when he fought Dhaffir Harris. Slice originally won in the third round after Harris collapsed but the result was changed to a no contest when Slice tested positive for the anabolic steroid Nandrolone. He later had his MMA license in Texas revoked and was fined $2,500. 

Bellator president Scott Coker addressed Slice’s death in a statement to Kevin Iole, saying: “We are all shocked and saddened by the devastating and untimely loss of Kimbo Slice, a beloved member of the Bellator family. One of the most popular MMA fighters ever, Kimbo was a charismatic, larger-than-life personality that transcended the sport.” 

His final MMA record is 8-2 (5 KOs, 1 NC), and his brief boxing career ends with a 7-0 (6 KOs) mark. – Rappler.com