Net Worth Ranker
What Was Kimbo Slice’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on June 6, 2016, Kimbo Slice, born Kevin Ferguson, had an estimated net worth of $500,000. This amount primarily stemmed from his career as a professional boxer and mixed martial artist, with earlier earnings from his publicized street fighting career also contributing.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Kimbo Slice was born in Nassau, Bahamas, on February 8, 1974, and later moved to Cutler Ridge, Florida, in the United States. He attended Miami Palmetto High School, where he excelled as a middle linebacker in football. He pursued higher education at Bethune-Cookman University and the University of Miami, studying criminal justice on an athletic scholarship. However, he did not complete his degree. Before venturing into combat sports, Kimbo worked as a bouncer and later as a limousine driver and bodyguard for RK Netmedia, also known as Reality Kings, an adult-movie production company based in Miami. In 2003, he began participating in mutual combat street fights, with videos distributed online, notably through Sublime Directory. His first taped fight against “Big D” resulted in a significant cut on his opponent’s eye, earning him the moniker “Slice”. This led to him adopting the name Kimbo Slice.
MMA and Boxing Career
Slice transitioned to sanctioned MMA, debuting against former WBO Heavyweight champion boxer Ray Mercer at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 5 on June 23, 2007, in Atlantic City. He won via guillotine choke in the first round. Following this, Proelite.com signed Slice on October 11, 2007. He then defeated Bo Cantrell in 19 seconds by submission due to punches. In May 2008, Kimbo headlined EliteXC: Primetime, the first MMA event on primetime TV. After EliteXC filed for bankruptcy, Dana White, the President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), invited Slice to compete on “The Ultimate Fighter.” He defeated Houston Alexander on December 5, 2009. Kimbo’s official UFC debut on pay-per-view took place on May 8, 2010, where he lost to Matt Mitrione, leading to his release from the UFC. After his UFC career, Slice announced his move to professional boxing in August 2010. He debuted on August 13, 2011, in Miami, Oklahoma, defeating James Wade via KO in the first round. He had also planned a pro wrestling debut in February 2011 but withdrew due to injury. Slice returned to boxing, defeating Tay Bledsoe in the first round and Shane Tilyard in January 2013 in Australia. In January 2015, Bellator MMA announced Slice’s multi-fight deal, marking his return to MMA after five years. He defeated Ken Shamrock at Bellator 138 on June 19, 2015, by TKO. At Bellator 149 on February 19, 2016, Slice faced Dada 5000, winning by TKO after Dada collapsed from exhaustion. However, the result was overturned to a No Contest after Slice tested positive for steroids. He was fined $2,500, and his fighting license was revoked by the Texas Athletic Commission. A rematch against James Thompson was planned for July 15, 2016, but it never took place due to Slice’s death.
Personal Life and Death
Kimbo Slice married L. Shontae Ferguson in May 1994. They had three children: RaeChelle, Kevin II, and Kevinah. He also had three grandsons and a granddaughter. At the time of his death, he was engaged to Antionette Ray. Slice was admitted to a hospital near his home in Coral Springs, Florida, on June 5, 2016. He passed away the following day due to congestive heart failure at the age of 42. An autopsy revealed a mass on his liver.
