Kimbo Slice

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Kimbo Slice
BornKevin Ferguson
(1974-02-08) February 8, 1974 (age 50)
Nassau, Bahamas
Other namesKimbo Slice
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight234.5 lb (106.4 kg; 16.75 st)
StyleBoxing, Street fighting[1]
Fighting out ofMiami, Florida
TeamTeam Kimbo
Mixed martial arts record
Total4
Wins3
By knockout2
By submission1
Losses1

Kevin Ferguson (born February 8, 1974), better known as Kimbo Slice, is a Bahamian-American mixed-martial arts fighter. He is best known for several street fights which have spread primarily on the internet, leading Rolling Stone to call him "The King of the Web Brawlers".[2] Slice left the underground fighting scene and signed a professional contract with EliteXC in 2007. After EliteXC declared bankruptcy in 2008, Slice became a free agent. Slice will be part of the tenth installment of The Ultimate Fighter which will go by The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.[3]

Biography

Early years

Ferguson was born in Nassau, Bahamas, but soon moved to the United States and grew up in Cutler Ridge, Florida,[4] raised alongside his two brothers by a single mother[5] named Rosemary Clarke.[6] He went to Bel-Air Elementary School[4] and when Ferguson was 13 years old, he was involved in his first fight, trying to defend a friend. He continued his studies with Cutler Ridge Middle School and later with Richmond Heights Middle School.[7] He attended Miami Palmetto High School, where he was the star middle linebacker.[8] In 1992, his house in Perrine, Florida was destroyed by Hurricane Andrew[6] and he continued living in his 1987 Nissan Pathfinder for a month.[9]

For college, he attended both Bethune-Cookman University and the University of Miami, where he had an athletic scholarship[10] and studied criminal justice.[6] He was there for only a year and a half.[11] In 1997, he had a tryout with the Miami Dolphins and was part of the pre-season squad, but was unable to get a place in the first team.[7][12] He is also the cousin of US Judoka Rhadi Ferguson.[13]

Rise to stardom

Ferguson started working as bouncer for a strip club until highschool friend and current manager, Mike "IceyMike" Ember, offered him a job as limousine driver and bodyguard for RK Netmedia, better known as RealityKings, a Miami-based pornography production/promotion company responsible for a number of popular adult subscription websites.[8][9] Kimbo still maintains close ties with RealityKings who now accompany him, as his fight entourage, under the name Team Kimbo.

In 2002, he was charged for carrying a concealed weapon[9] and in 2003, he began his career in unsanctioned street fights. They were distributed through the Internet, mainly through the adult website SublimeDirectory and YouTube. In his first taped fight against a man named Big D, Ferguson left a large cut on his opponent's right eye which led Internet fans to call him Slice, becoming the last name to his already popular childhood nickname, Kimbo.[9]

His only on-tape street fight loss was against Sean Gannon, a former Boston police officer who also trains in MMA. The popularity of the fight propelled both men into the MMA spotlight. [14]

Mixed martial arts career

To prepare for sanctioned MMA fights, Slice was trained by retired MMA fighter Bas Rutten and boxing instructor Randy Khatami at Rutten's school, EliteMMA, in Thousand Oaks, California. Slice made his MMA debut against former WBO Heavyweight champion and Olympic gold-medalist 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.[15] 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.[16] He was originally set to make his professional MMA debut against Mike Bourke, a reformed street fighter, but a shoulder injury from Bourke led him to face Bo Cantrell.[17] Kimbo defeated Cantrell 19 seconds into the first round by submission due to strikes.

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 234 lb (106 kg), a far cry from his street fighting days of 280 lb (130 kg).

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. Though one of the judges had each fighter winning one of the first two rounds, Kimbo's opponent James Thompson won both on total points[18][19][20] by repeatedly taking down Slice and grounding and pounding. In the opening seconds of the third round, however, Kimbo threw a haymaker to Thompson's left ear, which ruptured Thompson's cauliflower. This was soon followed by three unanswered punches to a standing Thompson, which led to a referee stoppage and the controversial win for Slice. Fellow EliteXC competitor Brett Rogers was particularly critical of Slice's victory, calling Slice's performance "garbage" in a post fight interview.[21] Frank Mir was also critical of Slice, stating in an interview that "every time Kimbo Slice fights, it sets (mixed martial arts) back"[22].

Fight with Petruzelli

On October 4, 2008, a Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock fight was supposed to take place at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida as part of CBS' Saturday Night Fights. [23][24] However, Shamrock received a cut to the left eye during a warm-up only hours before the fight was to take place[25]. This left the head of fight operations, Jeremy Lappen, to choose a replacement for the fight. Options were Seth Petruzelli, Aaron Rosa and Frank Shamrock. Lappen decided that Petruzelli was the best option for the main event. Slice agreed to take the fight after receiving a raise in pay, and took in $500,000[26]. Petruzelli defeated Slice by TKO 14 seconds into the first round of the bout.[27]

Interviewed on the popular radio show The Monsters In The Morning two days after the fight, Seth Petruzelli said that when they offered him a spot in the main event, EliteXC promoters added monetary incentives to dissuade him from using certain fighting techniques against Slice, in an attempt to protect their relatively unproven Internet star.

The promoters kinda hinted to me and they gave me the money to stand and throw with him, they didn't want me to take him down. Let's just put it that way. It was worth my while to try and stand up punch him.[28]

This added to the controversy surrounding the representation of Slice as a top flight martial artist by CBS and EliteXC.[29] The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation started a preliminary investigation on the events surrounding the fight and its outcome.[30]

However, Petruzelli clarified his position hours later, claiming in a follow-up interview with MMA website FiveOuncesofPain.com that his previous comments on The Monsters had been misinterpreted.

What was meant to be said was that I wanted to keep the fight standing for myself because I knew that was what the crowd, the promoters, and everyone wanted to see because that’s more exciting than just taking someone to the ground. That was my thing only. I wanted to keep it exciting so I decided to keep it standing. It had nothing to do with anybody else. That was all me.[31]

On October 23, 2008, The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation concluded its investigation of the bout and found no wrongdoing.[32] By the end of October 2008, EliteXC was forced to file for bankruptcy.[33] Many in the mixed martial arts community, including Jay Thompson, executive consultant to the company, attributed EliteXC and ProElite's failure due to Slice's loss to Seth Petruzelli.[34]

The Ultimate Fighting Championship

After Elite Xtreme Combat ceased operations, Dana White stated that if Slice wanted to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship he would have to win his way in by competing on The Ultimate Fighter TV show. White went on to say that he would create a show with heavyweights just for Kimbo Slice if he wanted in.[citation needed] That statement became reality and on June 1, when Kevin Iole of Yahoo.com stated Slice would participate in The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights. The coaches lined up for the show are, Quinton Jackson and Rashad Evans, both former UFC Light Heavyweight Champions.[35]

Other media coverage

A series called "Junk Yard Training" was released on yardbarker.com and youtube.com which featured LaDainian Tomlinson, running-back for the San Diego Chargers, training in Kimbo's backyard.

In 2009, Kimbo starred in an advertisement for antivirus software called Caterpillar vs. Kimbo[36]

Personal life

Ferguson currently lives with his family in Coral Springs, Florida, and is a single father to six children; three boys and three girls. The boys names are Kevin Jr., Kevin II, and Kevlar while the girls names are Kassandra, Kiara, and Kevina. [7][37] He is engaged to long-time girlfriend, Antionette Ray.[38] Ferguson was featured on The Iron Ring, a television series airing on BET which features MMA prospects. Slice was part of the selection process for the participants.[39] He made his official acting debut when playing Bludge on Nickelodeon's holiday special, Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh.

Filmography

Year Title Film/Television Role Other notes
2009 Blood and Bone Film J.C.
2008 Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh Television Bludge

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
4 matches 3 wins 1 loss
By knockout 2 1
By submission 1 0
By decision 0 0
Result Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss United States PetruzelliSeth Petruzelli TKO (strikes) EliteXC: Heat October 4, 2008 1 0:14 Sunrise, Florida, USA Fight was to be against Ken Shamrock, who was pulled out due to a cut above his eye;
Petruzelli took the fight one hour before the event began, officially weighing in at 205.5 lb (93.2 kg).
Win United Kingdom ThompsonJames Thompson TKO (strikes) EliteXC: Primetime May 31, 2008 3 0:38 Newark, New Jersey, USA
Win United States Tank Abbott KO (strikes) EliteXC: Street Certified February 16, 2008 1 0:43 Miami, Florida, USA
Win United States CantrellBo Cantrell Submission (strikes) EliteXC: Renegade November 10, 2007 1 0:19 Corpus Christi, Texas, USA Professional MMA debut

Mixed martial arts pro-exhibition match record

Result Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win United States Ray Mercer Submission (Guillotine Choke) Cage Fury Fighting Championship 5 June 23, 2007 1 1:12 United States Atlantic City, New Jersey

References

  1. ^ "Kimbo Slice's profile at EliteXC.com". EliteXC. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
  2. ^ Woods, Sean (July 28, 2006). "A Never-Ending Supply of Gruesome Street-Fighting". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  3. ^ http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/mma/news;_ylt=Aj2Z7fvwG8OWACO94mRbQpdShgM6?slug=ki-kimbo060109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
  4. ^ a b "BIO: Kimbo Slice". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
  5. ^ Kimbo Slice vs. Seth Petruzelli - Pre-Match Video
  6. ^ a b c Henderson, Linda. "There is another side to Kimbo Slice". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
  7. ^ a b c "Jimmy Kimmel Live! interview with Kimbo Slice". Jimmy Kimmel Live!. 2008-02-07. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ a b "Episode dated 11 December 2007". E:60. 2007-12-11. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ a b c d Le Batard, Dan. "NOT QUITE WHAT YOU WERE THINKING". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
  10. ^ "FIGHTER BIO: Kimbo Slice (Nov07)". ProElite. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
  11. ^ "Two Worlds, One Cage". Cage Fury Fighting Championships. June 23, 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  12. ^ Robb, Sharon (October 2, 2008). "To family, MMA star Kimbo Slice is a hulk with heart". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
  13. ^ http://www.kimboslice.org/
  14. ^ Wedge, Dave (September 16, 2005). "'Ultimate' cop bashes rules, back in ring" (Reprint). Boston Herald. Retrieved 2007-06-17.
  15. ^ Genia, Jim (March 20, 2007). "Former Heavyweight Boxing Champ to Take on Kimbo Slice". Full Contact Fighter. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
  16. ^ SamCaplan.proelite.com » Exclusive: Gary Shaw comments on Kimbo Slice and Nick Diaz signings: EliteXC, Gary Shaw, Kimbo Slice, Nick Diaz: SamCaplan article
  17. ^ ‘Showtime’ for Kimbo, Noons
  18. ^ EliteXC "Primetime" aftermath: Kimbo Slice needs work, Brett Rogers wants a piece | Fight Ticker
  19. ^ Bloody Elbow Exclusive: Judges Scorecards for Slice/Thompson - Bloody Elbow
  20. ^ EliteXC wrap - Sportsnet.ca
  21. ^ Primetime pressure nearly sinks Kimbo - Mixed Martial Arts - NBCSports.com
  22. ^ http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/09/17/frank-mir-says-every-time-kimbo-slice-fights-it-sets-the-sport-back-in-new-exclusive-5-oz-interview/
  23. ^ http://mma-live.com/kimbo-slice-to-fight-ken-shamrock/
  24. ^ http://sherdog.com/news/news/shamrock-gets-next-shot-at-slice-14185
  25. ^ http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/elitexc-heat-play-by-play-14645
  26. ^ http://mmajunkie.com/news/12951/elitexc-heat-salaries-arlvoski-and-kimbo-top-earners-with-500k.mma
  27. ^ yahoo.com, Kimbo TKOd by no-name in 14 seconds
  28. ^ "Monsters in the Morning interview with Seth Petruzelli". WTKS-FM. October 6, 2008.
  29. ^ Wetzel, Dan (October 5, 2008). "Final curtain for the Kimbo show". Yahoo! Sports.
  30. ^ Pugmire, Lance (October 9, 2008). "Slice-Petruzelli fight under investigation". Los Angeles Times.
  31. ^ Caplan, Seth (October 6, 2008). "Petruzelli disputes reports he received a bribe to keep Slice fight a standup affair". FiveOunceOfPain.com.
  32. ^ ProElite exonerated of wrongdoing in Slice-Petruzelli fight
  33. ^ Pugmire, Lance (October 22, 2008). "Mixed martial arts' Elite XC to file for bankruptcy". Los Angeles Times.
  34. ^ Pugmire, Lance (October 22, 2008). "Mixed martial arts' Elite XC to file for bankruptcy". Los Angeles Times.
  35. ^ Caplan, Seth (June 1, 2009). "Y! Sports exclusive: Kimbo gets TUF". yahoo.com.
  36. ^ Caterpillar vs. Kimbo - An antivirus software advertisement starring Kimbo Slice.
  37. ^ "There is another side to Kimbo Slice". TheMiamiherald.com. 2008-10-02. Retrieved 2009-01-17.
  38. ^ Outside the fight world, Ferguson is a soft-spoken father of six children — three girls and three boys —who is engaged to his long-time love, Antionette.
  39. ^ Hunt, Loretta (March 16, 2007). "AM Update March 16". The Fight Network. Retrieved 2007-03-21.

External links

Template:The Ultimate Fighter 10

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