Kimbo Slice, born Kevin Ferguson, was a Bahamian-born fighter who became one of the first true internet combat-sports celebrities. He was born on February 8, 1974, in Nassau, Bahamas, and died on June 6, 2016, in South Florida at age 42.
His fame began with unsanctioned street fights that were recorded and shared online in the early YouTube era. Those clips carried him into professional MMA with EliteXC, the UFC, and Bellator, and later into professional boxing and acting.
Some parts of his story are firmly established; others remain unresolved. The record includes both.
What Caused Kimbo Slice’s Death?
Kimbo Slice died suddenly on June 6, 2016, at age 42. Vice reported the cause as congestive heart failure, and MMA Fighting also reported the official cause of death as congestive heart failure. ABC News and The Guardian described the death as sudden.
Quick facts: Born February 8, 1974, in Nassau, Bahamas; died June 6, 2016, in South Florida.
Cause of death: Heart failure, reported as congestive heart failure.
UFC career: Official record 1–1, with a debut win over Houston Alexander and a loss to Matt Mitrione.
Legacy: From viral street fights to EliteXC, the UFC, Bellator, and a 7–0 boxing run.
Key insights
- Kimbo Slice’s rise from internet street-fighting sensation to UFC main event is unique in modern MMA history.
- His death at 42 from heart failure underscored how suddenly his story ended.
- His UFC stint lasted only two fights, yet he remained one of MMA’s most recognisable names.
- His son, Kimbo Slice Jr., continues the family name in combat sports.
- His fight clips were among the earliest viral videos of the YouTube era.
- Before the cameras appeared, he worked as a strip-club bouncer, bodyguard, and limo driver.
Facts at a glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Real name | Kevin Ferguson |
| Born | February 8, 1974, Nassau, Bahamas |
| Died | June 6, 2016, South Florida |
| Age at death | 42 |
| Height | 6-foot-2 (reported) |
| Weight | 225 pounds (reported) |
| UFC record | 1–1 |
| Overall MMA record | 5–2 (commonly cited, with four TKOs) |
| Boxing record | 7–0 with six knockouts (2011–2013) |
| Primary fame | Viral street-fighting videos, MMA, boxing |
| Children | Includes Kimbo Slice Jr. (Kevin Ferguson Jr.) |
| Spouse | Not identified in available sources |
What Was Kimbo Slice’s UFC Record?
His official UFC record was 1–1, according to the UFC and The New York Times. He won his UFC debut against Houston Alexander and lost his final UFC fight to Matt Mitrione in 2010.
Was Kimbo Slice an Official UFC Fighter?
Yes. He joined the UFC through The Ultimate Fighter and competed on the organisation’s roster. His path to the UFC ran through EliteXC, where he became a headline draw before stepping onto UFC cards.
Who Did Kimbo Slice Fight in the UFC?
He faced two opponents in the UFC. He beat Houston Alexander in his debut, and Matt Mitrione beat him in his final UFC appearance in 2010. For a contemporary UFC record in another division, see Joshua Van – UFC Flyweight Next Fight and Record.
What Was His Overall MMA Record?
Most outlets, including The Guardian and ABC News, cite a 5–2 professional MMA record. ABC News noted that four of those wins came by TKO. Slice never won a championship belt, The Guardian noted.
Overall MMA totals differ slightly depending on the source. The Guardian and ABC News both describe a 5–2 professional record, while his official UFC mark stands at 1–1.
How Tall Was Kimbo Slice?
ABC News reported his height at 6-foot-2 and his weight at about 225 pounds during his fighting career. Sherdog’s fighter profile lists him under his birth name, Kevin Ferguson.
What Was His Fighting Style?
Slice’s reputation came from street brawling in unsanctioned backyard fights. The professional record that followed included four TKO wins, according to ABC News.
How Did Street-Fighting Videos Make Him Famous?
His clips circulated in the early YouTube era and turned him into an internet sensation, as 3Kings Boxing documented. Before that fame, he had worked as a strip-club bouncer, bodyguard, and limo driver, according to ESPN and ABC News.
The online notoriety from his street fights led directly to sanctioned combat sports. According to Wikipedia, he fought in EliteXC, then the UFC, and later Bellator.
Who Was Kimbo Slice’s Wife?
The available sources do not identify a wife or confirm a spouse. They do confirm that Slice had children, including Kimbo Slice Jr., who is also known as Kevin Ferguson Jr. and competes as a professional mixed martial artist.
What Was Kimbo Slice’s Real Name?
His birth name was Kevin Ferguson. The nickname Kimbo Slice stayed with him from his street-fighting days through his professional career.
Who Is Kimbo Slice Jr.?
Kevin Ferguson Jr. is Slice’s son. His BKFC fighter profile lists him under the name Kimbo Slice Jr., continuing the family name in combat sports.
How Many Children Did Kimbo Slice Have?
The reporting used here does not give a confirmed total. Sources note at least one son, Kimbo Slice Jr., but do not provide a complete family list.
Because the available sources do not name a spouse, claims about a wife circulating online should not be treated as established fact.
What Was Kimbo Slice’s Net Worth?
No reliable net worth figure appears in the reporting gathered here. Estimates posted online vary, but none could be confirmed from the sources documenting his career.
Net worth claims about Kimbo Slice circulate widely, but the sources used for this profile do not support any specific amount.
What Movies Did Kimbo Slice Appear In?
Slice had occasional acting credits alongside his fighting career. His IMDb filmography includes the following films:
- Blood and Bone (2009)
- Locked Down (2010)
- The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption (2012)
- The Motherfucker (2015)
When Did the Key Events of Kimbo Slice’s Life Happen?
- — Born as Kevin Ferguson in Nassau, Bahamas.
- — Street-fighting videos turn him into an online sensation.
- — Professional MMA debut with EliteXC.
- — Joins the UFC through The Ultimate Fighter.
- UFC debut — Wins his first UFC fight against Houston Alexander.
- — Loses his final UFC fight to Matt Mitrione.
- — Fights professionally in boxing, finishing 7–0 with six knockouts.
- — Dies in South Florida at age 42.
Reporting on these events came from ABC News, The Guardian, UFC, ESPN, and Sherdog.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Kimbo Slice?
Some details of his life are well documented, while others are not.
| Established | Unclear or unconfirmed |
|---|---|
| Death reported as congestive heart failure by Vice; MMA Fighting reported the same official cause. | Net worth: no reliable figure is available in the sources used here. |
| UFC record of 1–1, with both fights fully documented. | Overall MMA record varies slightly by source; the commonly cited summary is 5–2. |
| Height reported at 6-foot-2 and weight at 225 pounds by ABC News. | No wife or spouse is identified in available sources. |
| Boxing record of 7–0 with six knockouts from 2011 to 2013, per The Guardian. | Street-fighting earnings remain unverified; some rumours that circulated around his career, including about steroid use, were never proven. |
Why Did Kimbo Slice’s Career Matter?
Slice’s career belongs to a particular moment when internet fame could be converted into mainstream combat-sports attention. Before social media matured, his street-fight clips demonstrated the commercial pull of viral video, and promoters responded. The Guardian described him as an MMA pioneer.
His death at 42 also brought attention to the physical toll of fighting. Discussions after his passing touched on fighter health and the risks associated with extreme weight cutting, even though no direct connection was established in the reporting.
Compared with many of his contemporaries, his technical skills were limited, but his ability to draw an audience was immense. That combination made him one of the most recognisable personalities MMA has produced. His boxing run also connected him to a sport with a long history of heavyweight personalities; for another view of a fighter whose fame extended beyond the ring, see George Foreman – A Life of Boxing Glory and the Grill Empire.
Where Did Reports on Kimbo Slice’s Life and Death Come From?
The main reporting on his death and career comes from established outlets, including ABC News, The Guardian, Vice, ESPN, The New York Times, and the UFC’s own tribute pages.
“The UFC pays tribute to former MMA star Kimbo Slice.”
— UFC.com
“Cause of death: Congestive heart failure.”
— official cause of death reporting, via MMA Fighting
What Is Kimbo Slice’s Lasting Legacy?
Kimbo Slice remains a symbol of a unique era in combat sports: a street fighter whose online fame carried him to sanctioned MMA, boxing, and film. His son carries the name forward, and his story is still cited as an example of how the internet can change a fighter’s fortunes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Kimbo Slice die?
He died on June 6, 2016, in South Florida at age 42.
Where was Kimbo Slice born?
He was born in Nassau, Bahamas, on February 8, 1974.
How old was Kimbo Slice when he died?
He was 42 years old.
Did Kimbo Slice fight professionally in boxing?
Yes. He boxed professionally from 2011 to 2013 and finished with a 7–0 record and six knockouts, according to The Guardian.
What promotions did Kimbo Slice compete in?
He competed in EliteXC, the UFC, and Bellator during his MMA career.
Did Kimbo Slice ever win a championship belt?
The Guardian noted that he never won a championship belt.
Is Kimbo Slice Jr. also a fighter?
Yes. Kevin Ferguson Jr. is a professional mixed martial artist and is listed on BKFC’s roster as Kimbo Slice Jr.
Amelia Grant is Local Government Editor at RegionalReport.co.uk, covering council decisions, regional public policy, combined authorities, planning, housing and transport.