MMA Fighter Kimbo Slice Dead at 42

[Sanji Himura]

Former Street Fighter and UFC star Kimbo Slice (Real Name: Kevin Ferguson) passed away today at age 42. Slice suffered from heart failure and was admitted to the hospital on Monday where he died that day.
Bellator president, where Slice was currently fighting, Scott Coker, issued a statement which said, in part:

"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 trancended the sport."

"Outside 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."

Slice was 5-2-1 (the no contest was a steroid related issue) in MMA, and 7-0; 6 KOs in professional boxing. He was scheduled to fight James Thompson in Bellator 158 on July 16th as his next fight.

 

[coryclifford]

Yeah that's too bad. Only 42…

 

[Johnnypenso]

I remember first watching Slice many years ago when he became an internet sensation with his arranged backyard fights. Two things struck me about those fights. One, he was the (early) Mike Tyson of backyard fighting and looked unbeatable and unstoppable. Two, his sense of fairplay. Didn't hit anyone when they were down, it was all standup, bareknuckle boxing. If an opponent took a knee the fighting paused and after it was over he'd usually go over and check on his opponent with genuine concern.

R.I.P. big fella.