Kimbo Slice, who rose from obscurity to become one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts (MMA), died Monday at a Florida hospital. He was 42 years old.
(FOX)- The cause of Slice’s death was not immediately disclosed. Yahoo Sports reported that Slice had suffered a medical emergency at his home in Coral Springs, Fla. and was rushed to Northwest Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale.
Coral Springs police spokeswoman Sgt. Carla Kmiotek said Slice’s death was not under investigation and no foul play was suspected. Kmiotek said officers were dispatched to his home with the expectation that a crowd would gather there.
“We are all shocked and saddened by the devastating and untimely loss of Kimbo Slice, a beloved member of the Bellator family,” Scott Coker, the promoter’s president, said in a statement.
“One of the most popular MMA fighters ever, Kimbo was a charismatic, larger-than-life personality that trancended the sport.”
Born Kevin Ferguson in the Bahamas, Slice was a strip club bouncer and bodyguard who began competing in unsanctioned street fights in 2003.
Videos of his violent knockout victories in those bouts became wildly popular online, both for Slice’s raw punching power and his distinctive, intimidating appearance.