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‘Kimbo Slice' Wanted to Be Remembered as a Family Man and as a Fighter Who Evolved

Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson started his fighting career as a street fighter with heavy hands made famous by Youtube videos of his backyard brawls. He had the look of a fighter, and the gift of punching power. He parlayed his internet popularity into a legitimate fighting career.

He made his mixed martial arts debut in June, 2007 against former boxing champion Ray Mercer in an exhibition bout. He won via submission and was quickly signed by the now-defunct Elite XC promotion. “Kimbo” won his first three fights before suffering his first career loss to Seth Petruzelli in October 2008.

Following the loss to Petruzelli, and Elite XC going out of business, Ferguson inked a deal to appear on the tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter. He was defeated by Roy Nelson in the preliminary round of the tournament, but defeated Houston Alexander in his official UFC debut during the reality show's season finale.

Ferguson fought twice in the UFC Octagon, and was released by the fight promotion after losing to Matt Mitrione at UFC 113 in 2010. Five years after being let go by the UFC, Ferguson returned to fighting under the Viacom-owned Bellator MMA promotion.

RELATED > Report: ‘Kimbo Slice' Needed Heart Transplant, Died of Heart Failure

He defeated Ken Shamrock ins his Bellator MMA debut and Knocked out Dhafir “DaDa 5000” Harris in his last outing in February. The fight result was later overturned when Ferguson tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone and elevated testosterone levels following the fight. “Kimbo” was scheduled to headline Bellator 158 in London on July 16.

Prior to his final UFC fight, Ferguson stated how he'd like to be remembered.

“If they look at me, I just want anyone to realize that I”m a family man. I've got kids to take care of, and the UFC gave me that opportunity. At the same time, I get to knock people out and get paid for it,” he said.

“I'm just trying to do my thing, and be the best at it, You know what I'm saying? When I, God forbid, but when I rest in peace, I just want people to say that guy evolved. I evolved from a knucklehead in the backyards of the hood in Miami to the mainstream and the elite of mixed martial arts, and did pretty good at it.”

“Kimbo” hoped to serve as inspiration to those growing up in similar environments that he did, and show through example that hard work and determination pays dividends.

“I made sacrifices. I made commitment. And it gave the kids something to look forward to. You gotta make sacrifices, commitment, listen to your trainers and you too can follow in those footsteps,” he said.

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