Kimbo Slice, born Kevin Ferguson, was a legendary street fighter from Dade County, Florida. He gained fame through viral videos showcasing his brutal backyard brawls in Miami. Despite his street-fighting prowess, few could have predicted that he would eventually make it to the UFC in 2009.
His rise to mainstream combat sports was remarkable, considering he had no formal training in mixed martial arts (MMA) until 2005. Even after receiving advice from boxing icon Mike Tyson to avoid turning pro, Slice pursued a career in professional fighting, making his MMA debut in 2007.
Kimbo Slice’s UFC Journey and His Potential in Bareknuckle Boxing
Kimbo Slice made an impact early in his MMA career, winning his debut fight against former boxing heavyweight champion Ray Mercer via guillotine choke. He continued his success by winning three of his next four professional fights.
This led to an invitation to compete in season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter, a reality show produced by the UFC. Despite suffering a one-sided loss to Roy Nelson during the competition, Slice was signed to the UFC. However, his time in the promotion was short-lived, as he only fought twice, securing one win and one loss before parting ways with the organization in 2010.
Kimbo Slice (UFC)Despite his short-lived UFC career, Kimbo Slice remained a fan favorite due to his aggressive and powerful striking ability. UFC commentator Joe Rogan has often spoken about Slice’s potential, particularly in bareknuckle boxing.
Rogan believed that Slice’s skill set was more suited for a pure striking sport like Bareknuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), which focuses solely on stand-up fighting. Without gloves and wrestling involved, Slice could have been a dominant force, with Rogan stating that he would have “f***** a lot of people up” in bareknuckle boxing.
Kimbo Slice’s Resilience and Lasting Legacy in Combat Sports
Even though MMA might not have been the best fit for Slice due to the grappling aspect, Rogan commended him for stepping into the Octagon despite being 35 years old with limited experience. Slice had a successful run in Bellator MMA later in his career, where he even defeated the legendary Ken Shamrock.
However, his real reputation was built outside of the cage, with his raw power and brutal knockouts in street fights. His courage to compete in MMA at a later stage of life, despite injuries from his football days, earned him the respect of many, including Rogan.
While bareknuckle boxing did not gain mainstream attention until the foundation of BKFC in 2018, two years after Slice’s death, Rogan firmly believed that he would have thrived in that arena. Unfortunately, Slice passed away in 2016 at the age of 42 due to congestive heart failure.
Despite his passing, his legacy as a fearless fighter and a pioneer in viral street fighting remains strong. Though his MMA career had limitations, Kimbo Slice’s impact on combat sports, both in and out of the cage, continues to be remembered and respected.
