Kimbo Slice, right, battling James Thompson of Manchester, England during their EliteXC heavyweight bout at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. AP Photo/Rich Schultz
RIP
MMA fighter Kimbo Slice dies aged 42
He was due to headline a Bellator show next month.
KIMBO SLICE, THE bearded street fighter who parlayed his internet popularity into a mixed martial arts career and worldwide fame, has died. He was 42.
Slice, whose real name was Kevin Ferguson, was taken to a hospital in Margate, Florida, near his home yesterday, Coral Springs Police Sergeant Carla Kmiotek said.
Slice’s death was confirmed by Mike Imber, his longtime manager.
“We lost our brother today,” Imber said in a text message to The Associated Press.
The cause of death was still unclear. Kmiotek said there is no active police investigation, and no foul play is suspected.
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Slice was a Bahamian-born ex-football player and strip club bouncer who began competing in unsanctioned street fights in 2003. Videos of his violent knockout victories in those bouts became wildly popular online, both for his punching power and his distinctive, intimidating appearance.
MMA
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
He studied MMA and eventually competed in several promotions, including the UFC and Bellator, which staged his two most recent fights.
Slice’s death also was confirmed by Scott Coker, the CEO of Bellator, which promoted his return to MMA last year after a five-year absence. Slice beat Dhaffir “Dada 5000″ Harris with a third-round knockout at Bellator 149 in February in Houston, but the result was overturned after Slice tested positive for steroid use.
“We are all shocked and saddened by the devastating and untimely loss of Kimbo Slice,” Coker said.
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.
Slice was scheduled to headline the Bellator 158 show in London next month in a bout against James Thompson.
EliteXC
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Slice was the star of the first MMA show broadcast on network television, beating Thompson by third-round knockout in May 2008 on CBS with the defunct EliteXC promotion.
With Slice and pioneering featherweight Gina Carano as the top attractions, EliteXC’s two CBS shows drew big television ratings and introduced millions of viewers to MMA.
While he went 5-2 and never won a championship belt, Slice became one of MMA’s best-known figures, attracting large television audiences and crowds to his growing sport. He also had a pro boxing career between stints in the cage, going 7-0 with six knockouts from 2011-13.
MMA fighter Kimbo Slice dies aged 42
KIMBO SLICE, THE bearded street fighter who parlayed his internet popularity into a mixed martial arts career and worldwide fame, has died. He was 42.
Slice, whose real name was Kevin Ferguson, was taken to a hospital in Margate, Florida, near his home yesterday, Coral Springs Police Sergeant Carla Kmiotek said.
Slice’s death was confirmed by Mike Imber, his longtime manager.
“We lost our brother today,” Imber said in a text message to The Associated Press.
The cause of death was still unclear. Kmiotek said there is no active police investigation, and no foul play is suspected.
Slice was a Bahamian-born ex-football player and strip club bouncer who began competing in unsanctioned street fights in 2003. Videos of his violent knockout victories in those bouts became wildly popular online, both for his punching power and his distinctive, intimidating appearance.
MMA
He studied MMA and eventually competed in several promotions, including the UFC and Bellator, which staged his two most recent fights.
Slice’s death also was confirmed by Scott Coker, the CEO of Bellator, which promoted his return to MMA last year after a five-year absence. Slice beat Dhaffir “Dada 5000″ Harris with a third-round knockout at Bellator 149 in February in Houston, but the result was overturned after Slice tested positive for steroid use.
“We are all shocked and saddened by the devastating and untimely loss of Kimbo Slice,” Coker said.
Slice was scheduled to headline the Bellator 158 show in London next month in a bout against James Thompson.
EliteXC
Slice was the star of the first MMA show broadcast on network television, beating Thompson by third-round knockout in May 2008 on CBS with the defunct EliteXC promotion.
With Slice and pioneering featherweight Gina Carano as the top attractions, EliteXC’s two CBS shows drew big television ratings and introduced millions of viewers to MMA.
While he went 5-2 and never won a championship belt, Slice became one of MMA’s best-known figures, attracting large television audiences and crowds to his growing sport. He also had a pro boxing career between stints in the cage, going 7-0 with six knockouts from 2011-13.
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