MARGATE, FL (CelebrityAccess) — Professional mixed martial artist Kimbo Slice died Monday at age 42, mixed martial arts organization Bellator said on Monday.
"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. 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."
According to the Orlando Sun Sentinal, Slice, the stage name of Kevin Ferguson, was admitted to Northwest Medical Center in Margate on June 3, complaining of severe abdominal pain, shortness of breath and nausea. He was found to have a liver mass and congestive heart failure, and was placed on a ventilator in intensive care, according to the information provided to the Broward County's medical examiner's office.
As his health continued to decline, doctors informed his family that he needed a heart transplant, but he expired before he could be moved to a facility in Cleveland, where he could be placed on an organ donor list.
Slice was scheduled to headline the Bellator 158 fight card in London next month against James Thompson.
A native of the Bahamas, Slice was raised in Miami and became an early Internet sensation for video clips of his street fights and went on to become a popular MMA fighter, first with UFC and then Bellator, who signed him to a multi-year contract in 2015. Earlier this year, he ran afoul of the Texas Athletic Commission when, after a fight in February, lab tests found traces of the anabolic steroid Nandrolone in his blood.
Slice had six children, three boys and three girls. At the time of his death, he was engaged to his long-time girlfriend. – Staff Writers
