KIMBO SLICE

UFC Kimbo Slice Deluxe Action Figure	UFC Ultimate Collector - Kimbo Slice
Kimbo Slice Autographed Photo Ufc W/Proof Tough	2010 Topps UFC Main Event The Ultimate Fighter #TT49 - Kimbo Slice
Kimbo Slice Figurine by Round 5	Kimbo Slice Autographed Photo UFC W/Proof Tough
Signed Slice, Kimbo 8x10	Signed Slice, Kimbo 8x10

WHY THE POPULARITY?

Kimbo gives people what they want.

Very quicly he name was all over gear including his own hoodie.

With 7.2 million watching Slice gave viewers what they wanted by busting James Thompson's ear in a CBS telecast in 2008. He beat out Jay Leno in ratings when he took on Roy Nelson on the "Ultimate Fighter" with 6.1 million tuning in.

In 2003, Kimbo Slice, aka Kevin Ferguson, made his big debut street fighting on the internet, mainly on YouTube. One fight in particular which was against a former Boston police officer, Sean Gannon, became so popular that Rolling Stones Magazine called Kimbo Slice "The King of the Web Brawlers".

Nevermind that Kimbo lost the fight as that seems to never matter where the controversial fighter is concerned. People just love to follow Kimbo Slice... win, loose or draw.

By 2007, Kimbo Slice went pro when he signed on with EliteXC, Elite Xtreme Combat, an American based MMA organization. He held a 3 win 1 loss record when one year later EliteXC filed for bankruptcy making Kimbo Slice a free agent.

Viewer ratings soared when Kimbo appeared on The Ultimate Fighter television MMA reality show in 2009 for the show's tenth season.

The show follows MMA fighters who are housed together and compete for a UFC contract.

Even those who normally did not watch MMA fights were tuning in. In the third episode Kimbo fought the heavyweight grappling guru, Roy Nelson. The fight was the fourth most watched MMA event in history.

ROY NELSON FIGHT

In round one, Nelson came out jabbing. Slice returned with a leg kick. Nelson continued the jabs until Slice blocked and landed Nelson against the cage, hammering him with punches.

Nelson came back with double underhooks, pinning Kimbo against the cage and then taking him to the floor. Kimbo attempted to get up but Nelson layed onto and into him. Kimbo gave it his best effort, but he was under a mound of belly. Roy ended up pinning Slice's left and repeating left punches until finally winning the round.

In the second round, Slice came out with a heavy jab but missed his target so he came back by throwing a knee that gave Nelson opportunity to ground him. Nelson put Slice in a crucifix which Slice was unable to escape due to his weight. The fight was stopped and Nelson took it with a TKO.

Even the fight was controversial. Some said Nelson won only because he used his weight. Of course this fair, just boring for fans.

Although Kimbo lost the bout, many continue to held out hope he would still qualify if one of the other contenders is not able to compete.

Matt Mitrione ended up fighting so he did not get the spot, but Dana brought him on for a match with Houston Alexander. Other than watching Marcus, the Darkness, this was the match I was waiting for.

WHERE KIMBO CAME FROM

Born on February 3, 1974 in Nassau, Bahamas, Kimbo grew up in Florida alongside two brothers being raised by a single mother. His first fight was at age 13 when he defended a friend.

In high school he was the star middle linebacker and earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Miami where he majored in criminal justice. In 1997, Kimbo tried out for the Miami Dolphins and made the pre-season squad but did not make the final cut.

The criminal justice major then began working as a bouncer for a strip club then accepted a position as limousine driver and bodyguard for the pornography production company, the RealityKings. The RealityKings are part of Kimbo's career to this day and go by the name Team Kimbo.

THE NICKNAME

In 2002, the criminal justice major was ironically charged with carrying a concealed weapon. It was shortly after that Kimbo began underground street fighting where in his first taped fight he left a "slice" on contender Big D's right eye earning him the name "Slice". Coupled with his childhood nickname (Kimbo), he became known as Kimbo Slice.

Even Kimbo's only loss when fighting for EliteXC was controversial. Set to fight Ken Shamrock, Kimbo ended up against Seth Petruzelli, due to an injury Shamrock received while warming up for the fight. Kimbo's pay was bumped up to 500,000 so he agreed to the fight that ended in a TKO only 14 seconds into the first round.

In an interview, Shamrock admitted he was influenced by EliteXC to throw punches, but not take Kimbo down. Though the accusations were later dismissed, EliteXC ceased to exist shortly afterwards.

Nothing has ever been traditional with Kimbo. After his first win with EliteXC ending in a guillotine choke against gold-medalist boxer Ray Mercer, Kimbo said in an interview that he would like to fight Tank, David Abbott.

Tank happened to be in the audience and accepted the offer but it never developed. Instead Kimbo went head to head with Bo Cantrell on November 10, 2007 which he won by submission.

Kimbo did fight Tank finally in EliteSC: Street Certified and won by Knock Out in the first 43 seconds. He then went up against James Thompson in the first MMA event ever televised, EliteXC: Primetime - Kimbo Slice vs. "Colossus" Thompson.

It was the most watched MMA event in television history. By the third round Kimbo gave the crowd what he felt they wanted, drama. He busted Thompson's ear ending in a controversial call by the referee to end the fight.

Though Kimbo's next endeavor, the Ultimate Fighter, did not proved to be successful in winning, it served it's purpose in getting recognized. Kimbo remains wildly popular regardless of his standings in the ranks.

I was very excited to see the match up with Houston Alexander. Though the fight on Houston's part was boring, as he continually circled and tried to kick Kimbo's bad leg, Kimbo came out on top.

In Kimbo's fight with Houston Alexander in December in the Ultimate Fighter Heavyweight finales he brought stellar ratings.

On May 8, 2010, Slice made his pay-per-view and official heavyweight debut at UFC 113 against Matt Mitrione. He lost in the second round via a TKO. Following the loss, Dana White announced that it was "probably Kimbo's last fight in the UFC". Kimbo's release was announced the next day.

Kimbo has since embarked in a professional boxing career. Whether in boxing or in mma, many feel he is now on his way to the big time and as usual as it seems everyone wants a slice of Kimbo.

WHAT'S KIMBO WEARING?

Well you have to admit Kimbo is one "cool" dresser. He is now covered in TapouT. since entering the Ultimate Fighter.

He uses UFC gloves for his fights and training. I am going to guess those gloves are at least a 3X! Kimbo has massive hands that I wouldn't want to be caught getting hit by.

Kimbo will take the market by storm. He is one cool guy and fans love watch him.

Kimbo is now training with America's Top Team. It will be interesting to see what he can do when he picks up his ground game.

I say good luck Kimbo!

Amazon.com Widgets

UFC Uncovered