Twitter user Rishabh Sharma summed up Kimbo Slice’s legacy perfectly, hours after it was confirmed the unorthodox but fearless brawler had died at just the age of 42.
“Kimbo Slice was the first fighter to come up like a underground rapper. He put his fights on YouTube and built a buzz!!,” he wrote.
One of those fights — the one infamous for showcasing his equally stout opponent finishing the match in dire need of an eye surgeon – was only one of the reasons why the Bahamian-born, turned Florida native whose real name was Kevin Ferguson was able to use his street fighting instincts to earn a spot in Dana White’s UFC universe. In January of 2015, he signed on to the Bellator MMA organization.
Slice was admitted to a hospital close to his home in Coral Springs, earlier on Monday, June 6 where he later died, reportedly of a heart attack. His American Top Team gym confirmed his passing to the Orlando Sentinel.
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“We are all shocked and saddened by the devastating and untimely loss of Kimbo Slice, a beloved member of the Bellator family,” Bellator president Scott Coker said in a statement to ESPN, adding his personal opinion that Slice 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,” Coker continued. “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’s last match went down in part of Bellator 149 back in February where he defeated Dada 5000. However the victory was overturned when it was discovered he tested positive for the steroid nandrolone, a banned substance.
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It isn’t hard to tell that Slice was a beloved figure within the Hip Hop community, not only for his hulking presence but for the fact his name made for an easy punchline rhyme scheme.
View some of the notable elegiacal reactions below.
Dam. ?? #RIPkimbo
— Yung Rénzél (@rickyrozay) June 7, 2016
#Rip#KimboSlice sheesh RT @TMZ: Kimbo Slice — Dead at 42 https://t.co/fguQJily0V
— Big Boi (@BigBoi) June 7, 2016
KiMBO SLiCE … SEE U ON THE OTHER SiDE BROTHER pic.twitter.com/P2kIkBiDTE
— RiFF RAFF (@JODYHiGHROLLER) June 7, 2016
Soldier on soldier #RIPKimboSlicehttps://t.co/QjQTkXzy7i
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) June 7, 2016
Wow … According to multiple sources … Kimbo Slice has died … Rest in Peace
— Hot 97 & ESPN's Own (@Rosenbergradio) June 7, 2016
Heartbreaking news Kimbo Slice has passed away. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.… https://t.co/7pboCGuULO
— Travis Barker (@travisbarker) June 7, 2016
RIP Kimbo. U were a good man with a great heart! Mike Jai White & Kimbo Slice on set of Blood and Bone https://t.co/5YRcY9Xzfk via @YouTube
— Michael Jai White (@MichaelJaiWhite) June 7, 2016
Cant believe Kimbo Slice passed away. RIP pic.twitter.com/5JgGWwlVUJ
— Gary Owen (@garyowencomedy) June 7, 2016
I remember a time when watching Kimbo Slice's street fights was the primary reason for using YouTube. #RIPKimbo ? pic.twitter.com/Y7LKZihdWu
— Chris Webby (@ChrisWebby) June 7, 2016
Kimbo Slice died?!?! Man… That's wild. He was only 42! #RIPKIMBOSLICE
— Bamb-brrrraaaatt! (@BambuDePistola) June 7, 2016
Kimbo slice passed away???? ???????????
— IG: Mickey.Factz (@MickeyFactz) June 7, 2016
Damn RIP Kimbo Slice
— Flowers and planes (@tukicarter) June 7, 2016