(Kimbo Slice spotted at a Bulls vs Heat playoff game on May 15th, 2013. Notice the subtle graying of his still-mighty beard. / Photo via Getty)
After nearly five years away from MMA competition — Five years! Man, time flies, doesn’t it?! — Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson will return to the sport in 2015 as a Bellator fighter. The news was first reported by CombatPress, then later confirmed by sources you’ve actually heard of.
An official announcement about the signing is expected to take place during the Bellator 132: Pitbull vs. Straus broadcast, tonight on Spike TV. The official date and opponent for Kimbo’s Bellator debut will be revealed in the coming days.
Rumors about Kevin Ferguson’s Bellator signing have been circulating since last June. The backyard brawler turned cage-fighter turned can-smashing boxer hasn’t competed in MMA fight since his TKO loss to Matt Mitrione at UFC 113, way back in May 2010. Kimbo went on to rack up a 7-0 record in the boxing ring, but hasn’t competed in that sport since January 2013.
Honestly, we have no idea what Kimbo Slice has been up to lately. We do know that the interest around his re-appearance in Bellator will be considerable. In his “prime,” Kevin Ferguson smashed viewership records for EliteXC/CBS and The Ultimate Fighter, and his return will draw hordes of nostalgic fans, wistful for MMA’s glory days of 2008-2009. Even at 40 years old, Kimbo Slice has the power to move the needle. It’s a cheap stunt — like CM Punk in the UFC, for example — but it will surely be an effective one.
Stay tuned, we’ll let you know when we find out more.