A noted street fighter who has gotten a lot of exposure from filmed underground bouts, the 6-2, 265-pound brutish appearing Slice is yet another Bahamian-flavored ingredient of the world sports scene. Although he fights out of Miami, Florida and is based in that city, Slice was born in Nassau on February 8, 1974. His real name is Kevin Ferguson.
The Bahamian connection is building lots of enthusiasm for Kimbo Slice. Just recently, a young colleague of mine, Devine Francis (son of another noted Bahamian, Junkanoo King Vola) excitedly spouted off about this Bahamian mixed martial arts fighter who dons the Bahamian flag devotedly for the world to see. His co-worker Ivoinne Turnquest seemed just as mesmerized by Kimbo Slice.
Small wonder.
At 34, Kimbo Slice seems to be getting into his element in a different ring style. It looks as if his street fighting days are over, tossed aside for the more glamourous mixed martial arts.
He was known as "the King of the Web Brawlers" because of his ferocious perpetual swinging method. Blessed with awesome punching power, his opponents had great difficulty withstanding his attacks. Ironically the street fighting public began to take notice of Kimbo Slice following an early defeat.
In late 2004, he met the notorious former Boston Police Officer Sean Gannan, then a refined mixed martial arts machine. The Bahamian-born upstart lost the battle but he won the war. The great popularity of the fight video of the match was due largely to the furious determination of Kimbo.
Gannon went on to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Kimbo enhanced his fighting status, proceeded to take a devastating path through subsequent street fighting foes and richly earn his title as Web Brawlers King.
Now, he wants to conquer the mixed martial arts world.
He has had just three fights, but each of them has ended in round one. The latest MMA encounter was February 16 against Tank Abbott. The result was a knockout on strikes (vicious un-restrained slams) in 43 seconds.
In November of last year, in his second MMA, Bo Cantrell was the victim, this time via the technical knockout route on strikes in 19 seconds.
His MMA career actually started in the Cage Fury Fighting Championships Five and his opponent was former heavyweight boxing champion Ray Mercer.
Poor Ray!
Kimbo executed a guillotine choke hold at 1:12 of round one and it was all over.
The sky certainly seems to be the limit for Kimbo.
Best wishes to him.
(Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson is the father of six children, three boys and three girls).
- Austin DWI - New York DWI