According to TMZ.com, MMA fighter Kimbo Slice, real name Kevin Ferguson, has passed away at the age of 42. The TMZ report notes Slice died in a Florida hospital from what appears to be heart failure.
Bellator CEO Scott Coker issued the following statement to TMZ:
“We are all shocked and saddened by the devastating 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.
Outside of the cage he was a friendly, gentle giant and a devoted family man. 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.”
Kimbo was slated to fight James Thompson at Bellator 158 on July 16, in a rematch from their infamous fight in 2008 that saw Thompson’s cauliflower ear explode. Slice won the fight via TKO in the third round in what is one of the most watched fights in U.S. MMA history.
Kimbo last fought this past February, defeating Dhafir “Dada 5000” Harris via knockout in the third round. Harris’ heart stopped and he technically died during the fight, and he was hospitalized for a week. Slice failed a drug test for nandralone and elevated testosterone levels, and the fight was overturned to a no-contest.
Thanks to WZ reader Jules Allen for the above contribution.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
