Story highlights
- Slice, 42, became an internet sensation starring in videos of amateur, bare-knuckle fights
- He is survived by six children
(CNN)Mixed martial arts fighter Kimbo Slice died Monday, according to the MMA organization that represented him.
He was 42 years old.
"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," said Bellator MMA President Scott Coker. "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."
Saddened and shocked at the passing of our family member Kimbo Slice. Full statement: https://t.co/TsTCujfoIK pic.twitter.com/RwxjwdAP1k
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) June 7, 2016
Local media reports said that Slice, whose real name is Kevin Ferguson, had been hospitalized earlier Monday in South Florida. His official website also confirmed his death.
Sgt. Carla Kmiotek told CNN police in Coral Springs, Florida, did not receive any police or EMS calls to Slice's residence before he was hospitalized.
Read More
There is no police investigation, she said.
"We battled inside the cage, warrior vs warrior," said UFC figher and hall of fame member Ken Shamrock. "REST IN PEACE KIMBO SLICE. May God Watch Over You."
We battled inside the cage, warrior vs warrior. Outside the cage, we have loved ones. REST IN PEACE KIMBO SLICE. May God Watch Over You.
— KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) June 7, 2016
He is survived by six children -- three boys and three girls -- according to his website.
The 'Undisputed online king'
Slice, who is originally from the Bahamas but lives in Miami, compiled a 4-2 record in fights tracked by UFC and a 5-2 record overall, according to Bellator MMA.
1 of 119
2 of 119
3 of 119
4 of 119
5 of 119
6 of 119
7 of 119
8 of 119
9 of 119
10 of 119
11 of 119
12 of 119
13 of 119
14 of 119
15 of 119
16 of 119
17 of 119
18 of 119
19 of 119
20 of 119
21 of 119
22 of 119
23 of 119
24 of 119
25 of 119
26 of 119
27 of 119
28 of 119
29 of 119
30 of 119
31 of 119
32 of 119
33 of 119
34 of 119
35 of 119
36 of 119
37 of 119
38 of 119
39 of 119
40 of 119
41 of 119
42 of 119
43 of 119
44 of 119
45 of 119
46 of 119
47 of 119
48 of 119
49 of 119
50 of 119
51 of 119
52 of 119
53 of 119
54 of 119
55 of 119
56 of 119
57 of 119
58 of 119
59 of 119
60 of 119
61 of 119
62 of 119
63 of 119
64 of 119
65 of 119
66 of 119
67 of 119
68 of 119
69 of 119
70 of 119
71 of 119
72 of 119
73 of 119
74 of 119
75 of 119
76 of 119
77 of 119
78 of 119
79 of 119
80 of 119
81 of 119
82 of 119
83 of 119
84 of 119
85 of 119
86 of 119
87 of 119
88 of 119
89 of 119
90 of 119
91 of 119
92 of 119
93 of 119
94 of 119
95 of 119
96 of 119
97 of 119
98 of 119
99 of 119
100 of 119
101 of 119
102 of 119
103 of 119
104 of 119
105 of 119
106 of 119
107 of 119
108 of 119
109 of 119
110 of 119
111 of 119
112 of 119
113 of 119
114 of 119
115 of 119
116 of 119
117 of 119
118 of 119
119 of 119
Standing 6'2'' and weighing around 230 pounds, Slice was known for his power and brute strength.
He last fought on February 19.
"I enjoy kicking ass," he told comedian Jimmy Kimmel. "I really enjoy doing what I do."
But unlike most in the sport, his rise to fame preceded his career in professional fighting -- Slice became an internet sensation by starring in bare-knuckle fights, often conducted in backyards, posted online.
Rolling Stone called him the "Undisputed online king of the underground bare-knuckle world" in 2006, before he began fighting professionally.
His physically imposing nature and internet fame helped create a mystique surrounding the man -- and his fighting prowess. Combining those factors with a natural charisma that endeared him to fans, Slice was able to draw more attention from the media than most fighters with his experience would.
"We just felt like he was so marketable," Jeremy Lappen, the head of fight operations at Elite XC, told ESPN's E:60 program.
Before fighting, Slice went from being homeless to working as a bouncer for a porn company in South Florida.
He told ESPN in a 2008 interview that to him, fighting was a cathartic practice.
"I had to fight with myself not to hurt people, some serious mental wars," he said. "But who would have raised my boys? They would have grown up knowing their dad died another violent death. They would have been angry, and now, instead of one person dying a violent death, you've got two other little protégés who would have grown up just as violent and vicious, causing even more harm to people. I couldn't have that. I've got to be a guide to my kids. Nobody else is going to do it."
CNN's Wayne Sterling contributed to this report.