Kevin Ferguson was a mixed martial artist (MMA), professional wrestler, boxer, and actor who rose to prominence through mutual combat street fights before pursuing a career in MMA. He has a 5-2 (1) professional mixed martial arts record and a 7-0 boxing record. His untimely death shocked the MMA world in 2016.
Kimbo Slice Age & Early Life
Kimbo Slice was born on February 6, 1974, in Nassau, Bahamas, but his family moved to Cutler Ridge, Florida, USA, when he was 13 years old, and he was involved in his first fight when he tried to defend a friend. He later attended Miami Palmetto High School, where he was a middle linebacker for the school’s American Football team. After matriculating, he attended Bethune-Cookman University before transferring to the University of Miami on an athletic scholarship, where he studied criminal justice but did not graduate, instead attempting to join the Miami Dolphins football team but failing.
Professional Career Of Kimbo Slice
Kimbo Slice then worked as a bouncer in a strip joint until a high school friend offered him a job as a bodyguard and limousine driver. He also worked for the Miami-based pornography production company Reality Kings, with whom he remained close for the rest of his life. He began his career in unofficial street fights, the videos of which were widely circulated on the internet.
In his first fight, his opponent suffered a large cut over his right eye, prompting internet fans to refer to Kimbo as “Slice,” which led to his eventual nickname – Kimbo Slice. In 2005, he began training in martial arts at the Freestyle Fighting Academy under David Avellan, initially for street boxing and focusing on specific techniques, before developing an interest in MMA, which eventually led him to make his MMA debut against Ray Mercer in 2007 at the Cage Fury Fight. He would win via guillotine choke in the first round and then sign with EliteXC to make his professional MMA debut against Bo Cantrell, whom he would defeat in 19 seconds.
His next fight was against Tank Abbott, whom he defeated easily in the first round at EliteXC: Street Certified. He continued to fight for EliteXC, where he had some contentious victories. He was then defeated by Seth Petruzelli, who won via TKO in the first 14 seconds of the first round, which was also controversial, and many believe that fight was the catalyst for EliteXC’s demise in 2008, as Kimbo was paid $500,000.
Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White then offered Slice a job with his company if he agreed to appear on “The Ultimate Fighter” television show. An agreement was reached, which resulted in the creation of “The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.” He eventually won the competition, defeating Houston Alexander in 2009. He fought his final UFC fight against Matt Mitrione in 2010, which he lost.
Kimbo then declared his intention to fight professionally as a boxer. He went on to win seven matches in the next three years. Kimbo Slice also dabbled in professional wrestling. He was scheduled to face former sumo wrestler Shinichi Suzukawa. Kimbo Slice withdrew from the fight after being injured during practice. He also made his official acting debut in “Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh,” a Nickelodeon holiday special.
Kimbo signed with Bellator MMA in 2015 and defeated Ken Shamrock. His most recent Bellator MMA fight was against Dada 5000, which he won via TKO in the third round. However, the decision was reversed after it was revealed that he failed a drug test. He was then scheduled to fight Scott Coker, but the fight was called off due to his death.
Kimbo Slice Net Worth 2023
Sources estimate his net worth to be $500,000 as of early 2018, earned primarily through success in his numerous endeavors. His popularity enabled him to pursue a variety of interests, and he also appeared in several films. All of these accomplishments ensured his wealth’s position before his death.
Relationship Status
In terms of his marital status, he married L. Shontae Ferguson and was born in May of 1994. RaeChelle, Kevin II, and Kevina were the couple’s three children. Slice’s girlfriend was Antoinette Ray, with whom he had been dating for a long time. As a result, the two were planning to marry, but Slice died before the wedding could take place.
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