Kevin Ferguson, also known as Kimbo Slice, was a renowned American mixed martial artist, boxer, wrestler, and actor. He gained widespread fame for his viral street fights, earning him the title of ‘The King of Web Brawlers’. Born in Nassau, Bahamas, Slice worked various jobs before discovering his passion for Mixed Martial Arts in his thirties. He made a remarkable debut in MMA by defeating former WBO Heavyweight Champion Ray Mercer. As his career flourished, Slice also ventured into boxing and wrestling. Additionally, he showcased his acting skills in films like ‘Blood and Bone’ and ‘Circle of Pain’. Sadly, his successful journey was cut short when he passed away at the age of 42 due to heart failure.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Kevin Ferguson
- Died At Age: 42
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Antionette Ray
- Mother: Rosemary Clarke
- Siblings: Devon, Renea
- Children: Kassandra Ferguson, Kevin Ferguson II, Kevin Ferguson Jr., Kevina Ferguson, Kevlar Ferguson, Kiara Ferguson
- Born Country: Bahamas
- Black Sportspersons
- Mixed Martial Artists
- Height: 6’2″ (188 cm), 6’2″ Males
- Died on: June 6, 2016
- Place of death: Margate, Florida, United States
- Notable Alumni: Heights Middle School, Cutler Ridge Middle School, Miami Palmetto High School, Bethune-Cookman University
- Cause of Death: Heart Failure
- Ancestry: Bahamian American
- City: Nassau, Bahamas
- More Facts
- Education: University Of Miami, Bethune-Cookman University, Miami Palmetto High School, Heights Middle School, Cutler Ridge Middle School
Childhood & Early Life
Kimbo Slice, born as Kevin Ferguson on February 8, 1974, in Nassau, Bahamas, moved to the US at a young age with his family. He grew up in Florida with his two brothers. Slice attended schools such as Cutler Ridge Middle School and Richmond Heights Middle School. He had his first fight at the age of thirteen when he defended a friend. After completing his schooling, he studied criminal justice at the University of Miami and also attended Bethune-Cookman University. He worked various jobs including nightclub bouncer, limousine driver, and bodyguard.
Career in Combat Sports
Kimbo Slice began his career by participating in unofficial street fights. He gained the nickname “Slice” after leaving a cut on his opponent’s eye during a fight that went viral on the internet. In 2005, he started training in mixed martial arts (MMA) at the Freestyle Fighting Academy. His first official fight was against Ray Mercer, a former WBO Heavyweight Champion and Olympic gold medalist boxer. Slice won the fight with a Guillotine Choke in the first round.
Slice continued to achieve victories and gained a growing fan base. He competed in the UFC after multiple victories and appeared on the show “The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.” Although he was defeated by Roy Nelson in his first fight on the show, he later emerged victorious against Houston Alexander at the “Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale.”
In addition to MMA, Slice also pursued a career in boxing. He made his boxing debut in 2010 and fought multiple opponents over the next few years. He also made his debut in professional wrestling in 2011 but had to withdraw from a match due to an injury.
In 2015, Slice signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA. He knocked out Ken Shamrock in his first fight with the organization, although some observers questioned the legitimacy of the fight. In a highly anticipated match against Dhafir Harris, known as Dada 5000, Slice won by knockout but later failed a drug test, resulting in the match being changed to a no-contest.
Acting Career
Kimbo Slice also had a few acting roles. He played a supporting role in the 2009 martial arts film “Blood and Bone” and appeared in the action fantasy movie “The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption.” Both films received mixed to negative reviews.
Personal Life
Kimbo Slice was in a long-term relationship with Antoinette Ray and had six children, including a son named Kevin Ferguson. They had plans to get married, but Slice passed away before it could happen. He was admitted to a hospital near his home on June 5, 2016, and passed away the following day due to heart failure.