(Father. Fighter. Undercover cowboy. Legend. via Getty.)
There are a dozen or more ways I could describe my feelings as I write this post, but I think “heartbroken” says it best. Kimbo Slice is dead, and I’m honest-to-God heartbroken to be delivering this news to you.
It may sound overly dramatic considering how tangential of a connection we shared with the guy, but to hear that the street fighting legend has passed away at just 42 years of age and just three months after his last appearance in the cage is so sudden, so bewildering, that it seems to hit with a greater weight than many of the unfortunate deaths we’ve reported on over the years.
Details after the jump.
Of course, a huge part of my sadness can be attributed to the content of Kevin Ferguson’s character. To many, he may have looked like your run-of-the-mill street thug (which is understandable, given how he made his name in the first place), but beneath that glorious beard and do-rag was a kind and genuine human being with a surprisingly perceptive head on his shoulders. Ferguson was a family man, a humble man — someone who truly captured the American dream that we so often find ourselves chasing. He started with nothing and carved his own path to success, becoming one of the most recognizable and universally beloved figures in the sport despite having less actual training in it than 90% of his peers. How do you sum up a person like that?
Bellator President Scott Coker attempted to do as much last night via an official statement released through Bellator, which you can read below.
We are all shocked and saddened by the devastating and untimely loss of Kimbo Slice, a beloved member of the Bellator family.
One of the most popular MMA fighters ever, Kimbo was a charismatic, larger-than-life personality that transcended the sport.
Outside of the cage he was a friendly, gentle giant and a devoted family man. His loss leaves us all with extremely heavy hearts, and our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Ferguson family and all of Kimbo’s friends, fans, and teammates.
No official cause of death has been listed as of this write-up, but some reports seem to indicate that Slice suffered a heart attack late last night and was unable to be revived after being rushed to a Florida hospital. He is survived by his six children and his fiance, Antionette Ray.
R.I.P Kimbo. You taught us that tapping was for bitches, so here’s hoping that you’re tapping bitches in heaven now.
The post Kimbo Slice Dead At 42. World Definitively Less Awesome. Sadness Reigns Supreme. appeared first on Cagepotato.