What Happened to Kimbo Slice? The Full Story
Kimbo Slice -- born Kevin Ferguson on February 8, 1974, in Nassau, Bahamas -- was the most famous backyard fighter in history. His viral street fight videos in the mid-2000s made him an internet phenomenon before YouTube even existed in its current form. He went on to compete in professional MMA and boxing before his sudden death on June 6, 2016, at the age of 42.
This FAQ covers Kimbo Slice's complete story -- from the Miami backyards to the UFC cage to his untimely death.
Who was Kimbo Slice?
Kevin Ferguson grew up in Cutler Ridge, a rough neighborhood in southern Miami-Dade County, Florida. He earned the nickname "Kimbo Slice" -- "Kimbo" from a childhood nickname and "Slice" from his ability to cut opponents open with his fists. Standing 6'2" and weighing approximately 230 pounds, he was an imposing physical presence with devastating punching power.
Before fighting, Ferguson worked as a limousine driver and bodyguard for RK Netmedia, a Miami-based pornography company. It was through this connection that his backyard fights were first filmed and distributed online.
How did Kimbo Slice become famous?
Kimbo's rise to fame began around 2003-2004 when videos of his backyard fights in Miami were uploaded to the internet. These were raw, unregulated street fights -- no gloves, no rules, no referee. The footage spread virally across early internet platforms, accumulating millions of views at a time when viral video was still a new phenomenon.
Key early fights included his bouts against "Big D" and "Afropuff," which showcased his raw power and willingness to engage in brutal, unregulated combat. By 2007, Kimbo Slice was one of the most searched names on the internet and arguably the most recognizable street fighter in the world.
Did Kimbo Slice fight in the UFC?
Yes, briefly. Kimbo made his UFC debut on December 5, 2009, at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale, where he defeated Houston Alexander by unanimous decision. He had earned his spot by appearing on Season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter reality show, where he lost to Roy Nelson in the semifinals by guillotine choke.
His UFC career was short-lived. After the Alexander win, he was released from the promotion. His skill set -- built on raw power and street fighting rather than technical martial arts -- was insufficient for sustained competition at the UFC level.
What about Kimbo Slice and Bellator?
Kimbo found a more natural home in Bellator MMA, a promotion that valued his star power and name recognition. His Bellator career included:
- Bellator 138 (June 2015): Defeated Dada 5000 (Dhafir Harris) in a widely panned bout that was later overturned to a no contest after Kimbo tested positive for a steroid (nandrolone).
- Bellator 149 (February 2016): Knocked out Dada 5000 in the first round in a rematch, but again the result was controversial -- Dada 5000 suffered heart failure after the fight and had to be hospitalized.
The Kimbo-Dada 5000 rivalry was rooted in Miami's backyard fighting scene. Both men had come up through the same South Florida underground circuit, and their professional bouts carried the weight of that shared history.
How did Kimbo Slice die?
Kimbo Slice died on June 6, 2016, at the age of 42, at Northwest Medical Center in Margate, Florida. The cause of death was heart failure. He had been admitted to the hospital days earlier with severe abdominal pain and nausea.
An autopsy revealed that Kimbo had a mass on his liver (later identified as a congestive heart failure complication), along with an enlarged heart. He was in need of a heart transplant at the time of his death but was not on a transplant list.
His death sent shockwaves through the combat sports world. Kimbo Slice was 42 years old and had been scheduled to fight at Bellator 157 just weeks later.
What was Kimbo Slice's professional record?
Kimbo's professional MMA record was 5-2 (1 NC):
- 5 wins (4 by knockout, 1 by decision)
- 2 losses (both by submission)
- 1 no contest (the Dada 5000 fight overturned due to a positive drug test)
He also had a professional boxing record of 7-0 with 6 knockouts, though his boxing opponents were largely unknown.
What is Kimbo Slice's legacy?
Kimbo Slice's significance extends far beyond his professional record. He is widely credited with:
- Pioneering viral fight content. Kimbo's backyard fight videos were among the first pieces of combat sports content to go viral online, years before YouTube became the dominant platform. He proved that fight content could generate massive audiences outside traditional broadcasting.
- Opening the door for street fighters. Kimbo demonstrated that a fighter could build a career starting from the streets rather than the amateur ranks. His pathway -- backyard fights to viral fame to professional competition -- has been replicated by countless fighters since.
- Influencing modern organizations. Promotions like Streetbeefs, KOTS, and the entire backyard fighting ecosystem owe a debt to Kimbo's proof of concept that underground fighting has commercial value.
Despite his limited professional accomplishments, Kimbo Slice remains the most culturally significant figure in the history of underground fighting.
Did Kimbo Slice and Dada 5000 know each other?
Yes. Kimbo Slice and Dada 5000 (Dhafir Harris) both came up through Miami's backyard fighting scene. They knew each other personally, and their rivalry was rooted in real beef from the streets -- not manufactured promotion. Dada 5000 has stated publicly that their conflict predated their professional careers and stemmed from genuine personal animosity.
Their two professional fights -- both under the Bellator banner -- were among the most anticipated bouts in backyard fighting history, even though neither fight was technically impressive by professional standards.
Where can you watch Kimbo Slice's fights?
Kimbo Slice's original backyard fight videos remain widely available online, though they have been uploaded and reuploaded across numerous platforms over the years. His professional MMA and boxing fights are available through the archives of the respective promotions (UFC Fight Pass for his UFC bout, Bellator's platforms for his Bellator fights).
For more on Kimbo Slice's rival, see our Dada 5000 FAQ. For the broader history of backyard fighting in the United States, see our history of backyard fighting.