Kimbo Slice cause of death: MMA fighter needed heart transplant before he died aged 42. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Authorities have not disclosed the cause of death of MMA fighter Kimbo Slice, but signs point that the 42-year-old former YouTube sensation died of natural causes on Monday. [28] Petruzelli defeated Slice by TKO 14 seconds into the first round of the bout.[29]. When will Jamahal Hill defend? Options were Seth Petruzelli, Aaron Rosa and Frank Shamrock. He stayed in the intensive care for several days, after suffering from the grave effects of congestive heart failure. Kimbo Slice's Cause Of Death: Heart Failure Killed Him, Says Training Despite making his name as a hard-nosed fighter, Ferguson lived as a devoted family man. The duo had a big rivalry between them due to their old street fight legacies they had in Perrine, Florida. I'm gonna be a problem in the heavyweight division. Kimbo Slice- Wiki, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth (Updated on April 2023) Kimbo Slice, the bearded street fighter who parlayed his internet popularity into a mixed martial arts career and worldwide fame, has died. Slice also had a son named Kevlar and a daughter named Kassandra. He talks to his family from them, and they to him. Baby Slice in the cage. Hollywood Life, Latest Hollywood Celebrity & Entertainment News. "Every day, I look up at the sky and I let him know that I'm hanging in there," Antoinette says. Slice, whose real name is Kevin Ferguson, was taken from his home near Coral Springs, Florida, to Northwest Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for undisclosed reasons. It was his first win as a professional fighter. Slice asked how he looked, and Imber told him he looked fine. Interviewed on Orlando radio show The Monsters in the Morning two days after the fight, Seth Petruzelli said that when they offered him a spot in the main event, EliteXC promoters added monetary incentives to dissuade him from using certain fighting techniques against Slice, in an attempt to protect their relatively unproven Internet star. It was absolutely shocking and heartbreaking too for many to see. The famous MMA star died in 2016 after being placed upon a ventilator, claim experts. But of course, they had their healthy share of arguments as a married couple. Who better to ask about Kimbo Slices cause of death than the medical examiner himself? By. He's a good dad, he's very compassionate. The fighter, who made his name in the Florida street-fighting circuit, was hospitalized earlier Monday with an undisclosed condition. It was a throwback to the backyard brawling history of both fighters. He still continued, even at the end, 'I'm fighting my next fight.' [34] By the end of October 2008, EliteXC was forced to file for bankruptcy. He looked afraid of fighting, to me. "It hurt so much because I watched him for, I'm gonna say a good month, slowly, really getting to the point of his heart getting bad," says Antoinette Ferguson, Slice's wife. In 2009, he competed in The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights,[2] where he lost in his first fight to eventual series winner Roy Nelson. In August 2010, Slice announced his intention to become a professional boxer. All rights reserved. And I guess, the reason why it was so hard for me was because he still fought. The final days of MMA fighter Kimbo Slice - ESPN Although a cause of death has yet to be determined, many have . "That was one of our disagreements," Antoinette said. When they talk about Baby Slice in the ring, the conversation inevitably turns to Kimbo in the ring -- and in those backyards. Slice suffered from, and took medication for, high blood pressure for years. He was 42 years old. An official cause of death for Ferguson has not yet been made public. Can you talk to somebody about expediting the transplant? Seemingly out of nowhere, Kimbo Slice, whose real name is Kevin Ferguson, went from being an athlete at the top of his profession to a mere mortal in a hospital bed. The mixed martial artist rose to fame in the early 2000s through infamous street fights which were uploaded to YouTube, Debbie Reynolds was an American actress, singer, businesswoman, film historian, and humanitarian. [48] Following the bout it was reported that Slice had failed his pre-fight drug test. From this union, there are also three grandsons named Kevin III, Akieno, and Kimbo-Legacy, as well as one granddaughter named Isis. Ferguson continued his studies at Cutler Ridge Middle School and later attended Richmond Heights Middle School. There was nothing anyone could say or do to stop Slice from taking that fight and providing for his family. It was like he was letting me know that he didn't listen. And that maybe I was right, you know, when it came down to taking a break.". The best one to verify that last comment is Slice's younger brother, Black (birth name Devon). Imber was in London alongside him, as his manager and friend. Kimbo Slice - Wikipedia On October 11, 2007, ProElite announced that they had signed Slice to a deal and that he would make his debut on the November 10, 2007 EliteXC. While some media reports suggested he consumed illegal drugs, others went as far as linking it to foul play. At times, it could be really bad. [24], On October 4, 2008, a Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock fight was supposed to take place at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida as part of CBS' Saturday Night Fights. His wife and mother had already been asking him to retire, individually and together as a "tag team" once. "One of the most popular MMA fighters ever, Kimbo was a charismatic, larger-than-life personality that transcended the sport. Slice, whose actual . He also played an inmate named JC in 2009's fighting film Blood and Bone. He leaves behind six children, including his autistic son who joined him in the gym for his fight with Shamrock. "We lost our brother today," Imber said in a text message to The Associated Press. In the opening seconds of the third round, however, Slice threw a haymaker to Thompson's left ear, which ruptured Thompson's cauliflower. Slice also fought at UFC 113 in Montreal, losing to Matt Mitrione before taking his five-year break from MMA.<\/p>\n

"He carried himself as a true professional during his time in our organization," the UFC's statement read. Kimbo Slice Net Worth: What was the cause of his death? Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Our thoughts continue to go out to Kimbos family and friends during their time of loss, HollywoodLifers. UPDATE: 6:11 p.m. EDT -- UFC star Kimbo Slice was told he needed a heart transplant days before his untimely death, TMZ wrote in an exclusive report Tuesday. One of his three sons, Kevin Ferguson Jr., made his MMA debut in March. Held at the famous Bellator 149, he suffered from both heart as well as kidney failure after the fight. But, certain medications like chemotherapy, illicit drugs such as cocaine, can lead to heart failure, Dr. Nina Radcliff tells HollywoodLife.com. He was 42. At the time of his death, efforts were underway to arrange a transport to the Cleveland Clinic, where Slice would have awaited a heart transplant. How utterly sad. Everyone, in fact, enjoys talking about Kevin (or Kimbo, or Ferg, or Dad -- depending upon whom you're talking to). One of his three sons, Kevin "Baby Slice" Ferguson Jr, made his MMA debut in March. The cause of death was still unclear. Keiyera in a state track and field meet this past spring. After his tragic end, Kimbostrainer partner, Tyler Cook, claimed that Kimbos heart quit in a series of Facebook posts. Slice agreed to take the fight after receiving a raise in pay, and took in $500,000. [3] He died suddenly in 2016. [11] In 1997, he had a tryout with the Miami Dolphins and was part of the pre-season squad but was unable to secure a spot on the first team. I'm always talking to him. [57], Slice's next fight was in Australia on the Anthony Mundine vs Daniel Geale undercard on January 30, 2013. Antoinette clenches her fist and punches the kitchen air when she describes it. "The day before he passed, he told me he was sorry," Antoinette said. Slice, who's real name is Kevin Ferguson, was admitted to Northwest Medical Center in Margate, Florida on Friday. For other uses, see, Originally a TKO win for Slice; overturned after he tested positive for, Linda, Robertson (February 10, 2008). "I'm really just having happy days in the midst -- being among them, fighting on the undercards, just contributing to the UFC and the sport. [6][8][65] At the time of his death, he was engaged to his long-time girlfriend. He acknowledged being an MMA newcomer with much to learn, never claiming to be anything but a big puncher providing for his family while constantly working to learn the sport's other disciplines. Slice defeated Mercer with a guillotine choke at 1:12 into the first round. "Sometimes, it feels like he hasn't been away, because of his presence. Like many younger siblings, Black was born with an innate talent of pushing his older brother to the edge. Kimbo-Legacy and Isis were both born after Slice's death. 2 Min Read. He don't. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. This is a career move. One of the most popular MMA fighters ever, Kimbo was a charismatic, larger-than-life personality that transcended the sport, he continued. There was zero truth in claims surrounding his illegal use of drugs, which may be a potential cause of death. We think of the heart as a pump or a dam: Theres water that comes to it, then pumps it out, Dr. Nina tells HollywoodLife.com. Slice was scheduled to fight James Thompson at the Bellator 158 event in London this summer and was due to meet with reporters in London today to embark on promotional work for the fight. Heart failure was the cause of his death. The Tragic Death Of Kimbo Slice - Grunge Unfortunately, that news also meant something bad. While some termed his death as a conspiracy, loved ones mourned his loss deeply. Kevlar, 12, is the spitting image of his father when he was that age. Especially for Clarke, who, as much as she enjoys talking about her son, cannot bring herself to talk about the final days of his life, which he spent in a hospital bed at Northwest Medical Center in Margate one year ago. Kimbo was given $500,000 to fight against Petruzelli. Kimbo Slice diedat the shocking age of 42, reportedly due to heart failure. Mixed martial arts fighter Kimbo Slice, who died Monday at age 42, needed a heart transplant, according to the Sun-Sentinel. It's like, when a baby knows that bottle is going to keep him fed and is always going to make him feel good at the end -- that was what fighting was for him.". ", "Kimbo Slice scores exhausted TKO at Bellator 149", "Bellator's 'Kimbo Slice' settles with Texas commission following failed steroid test", "Bellator 149 peaked at 2.7 million viewers", "Kimbo Slice-James Thompson II booked for July 16 in London", "Kimbo Slice Has Jumped to Boxing, Roy Jones Jr. Says He's Willing to Fight Him", "Roy Jones Jr: "I might give it to Kimbo", "Opponent Announced for 'Kimbo Slice' Boxing Debut", "UFC vet Kimbo Slice proves victorious in professional boxing debut", "Boxing News: Kimbo Slice Returns to the Ring October 15th", "Kimbo Slice Wins! "I'm really just having happy days in the midst -- being among them, fighting on the undercards, just contributing to the UFC and the sport. at ET on Monday while being prepared for transfer to a facility in Cleveland where he could be added to an organ donor list as he was in need of a heart transplant at the time of his death. Now 3-0 in Boxing! Slice's death was confirmed by Mike Imber, his longtime manager. ", Kimbo Slice: A fighter until the end (5:56), The final days of MMA fighter Kimbo Slice, Song punishes Simon in one-sided TKO victory, Sources: Dos Anjos-Luque to top UFC Fight Night, Sources: Injured Hermansson out of Allen fight, Masvidal keeps door open for return to cage, Adesanya: Title-winning KO made with torn MCL, Diaz surrenders to New Orleans police after brawl, Loughnane, Wilkinson headline PFL second round, Johnson's next ONE bout may be his last in MMA, UFC 288: Why Burns and Muhammad are taking the biggest fight of their careers on short notice, MMA divisional rankings: Sergei Pavlovich moves within striking distance of the top. 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Kimbo first broke on the fighting scene in an unconventional way, taking part in unsanctioned street fights that went viral on the Internet. Kimbo Slice's training partner said he died of heart failure. Slice last fought for MMA promotion Bellator in February against Dhafir Harris, known as DaDa 5000. In the hours following the news of Kimbo Slice's passing Monday night (Jun 6), the MMA fighter's alleged cause of death was revealed by his training partner. Slice fought Houston Alexander on December 5, 2009, at The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale at a catchweight of 215 pounds. Years ago, they ran cables to connect televisions in opposite rooms, so neither could cheat when they played Xbox against each other. However, who knew that he would soon die tragically, well before anyone anticipated. [30], This added to the controversy surrounding the representation of Slice as a top flight martial artist by CBS and EliteXC. Antoinette really believed her husband's win against Ken Shamrock the previous year should have been his final fight. [4], Kimbo Slice was born Kevin Ferguson in Nassau on February 8, 1974. Born in the Bahamas and raised in the Miami area, Slice was a strip club bouncer and bodyguard who began competing in unsanctioned street fights in 2003. Hollywood Life "He's my son," Clarke says. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: mma | pageType: stories | "Every parent will say their son is great. If he say he gonna do something, he gonna do it. And yes, he is great. "Never, in a million years, would I have thought he only had a few days left," Imber said. For all of his glowering in-cage swagger and outsized fame, Slice was extraordinarily honest about his fighting abilities. Four months prior to his hospitalization, Slice appeared in a heavyweight fight against Dhafir "Dada 5000" Harris at Bellator 149 in Houston. "The ATT Family and South Florida community lost a legend today," the team said in a post on its Twitter account. While he went only 5-2 and never won a championship belt, the personable Slice became one of MMA's best-known figures, attracting large television audiences and crowds to his growing sport. He was told he had a liver mass and congestive heart failure and placed on a ventilator in intensive care. In the first round, both fighters gassed out almost immediately, and Slice went on to win an uneventful fight via TKO when Dada collapsed from apparent exhaustion in the third round. That was all me. Weight-cutting is a common problem in fighting sports, and sometimes it can have serious consequences. "And then again, it's like -- sadness. The reports found Slice had a liver mass and congestive heart failure and was placed on a ventilator in the intensive care unit.