Kevin Ferguson (born on February 8, 1974), better known as Kimbo Slice, is a Miami, Florida-based street fighter turned mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. He first appeared in several filmed underground fights which have spread primarily on the Internet. Kimbo has since left street fighting behind and is now putting his efforts towards becoming a professional mixed martial arts fighter. Rolling Stone called Slice "The King of the Web Brawlers".
Pre-MMA
Ferguson was a star defensive football player for Miami Palmetto High School in the Pinecrest area of Miami, Florida. In college, he went on to the University of Miami on academic scholarship, but did not play football. He was there for only a year and a half.
As Kimbo Slice, Ferguson worked as a bodyguard for RK Netmedia, a Miami-based pornography production/promotion company responsible for a number of popular adult subscription websites, such as MILF Hunter. Kimbo still maintains close ties with the company who now accompanies him, as his fight entourage before entering the ring.
MMA career
Kimbo Slice began his career in unsanctioned street fights, trained by retired MMA fighter Bas Rutten. A notable street fight was with Sean Gannon, a former Boston Police officer who trains in MMA. Gannon was able to achieve victory over Slice giving him his first defeat. The popularity of the fight, which was distributed throughout the internet, propelled both men into the MMA spotlight.
Slice made his sanctioned MMA debut against former WBO Heavyweight champion boxer Ray Mercer at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 5, in Atlantic City on June 23, 2007. The match was scheduled as a three-round exhibition utilizing all professional rules of MMA combat. Slice defeated Mercer with a guillotine choke at 1:12 into the first round. In a post-fight interview, Slice stated that he would like to fight David "Tank" Abbott. Abbott, who was a spectator, stood up from his seat and accepted the call out. One of the matchmakers for CFFC asked Slice for his assurance so that an October 12 bout at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 6 between Slice and "Tank" Abbott could be organized. This event was later canceled due to a promotion dispute. 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. Originally set to make his professional MMA debut against Mike Bourke, the reformed street fighter was set to face Bo Cantrell after Bourke sustained a shoulder injury. Kimbo defeated Cantrell 19 seconds into the first round by submission due to strikes.
Slice will be featured on The Iron Ring, a new television series airing on BET which features MMA prospects. Slice will be a part of the selection process for the participants.
On February 16, 2008, Kimbo fought Tank Abbott in the main event at EliteXC: Street Certified. He won by KO 43 seconds into the first round due to strikes. At the fight his weight was announced at an all-time low of 234lbs, a far cry from his street fighting days of 280lbs.
On May 31, 2008, Kimbo fought in the main event of the first ever mixed martial arts event shown on prime time network television, EliteXC: Primetime. Kimbo's opponent James Thompson won the first two rounds on total points, although one judge had each fighter winning a round and even points, by repeatedly taking down Slice and grounding and pounding. In the opening seconds of the third round, Kimbo threw a haymaker to Thompson's left ear, which ruptured his cauliflower. This was soon followed by three unanswered punches to a standing Thompson, which led to a referee stoppage.
Personal life
Slice currently lives with his family in Miami, and is the father of six children: three girls and three boys. His first two sons are named Kevin, and the third is named Kevlar. His three daughters are named Kassandra, Kiara, & Kevina.