Born Kevin Ferguson, Kimbo Slice was a professional boxing, mixed martial arts, and bare-knuckle fighter from the Bahamas. He rose to fame through combat street fighting videos posted online.
After leaving the underground fighting scene, he signed a professional contract with EliteXC in 2007 and made his UFC debut in 2015. He died unexpectedly in 2016 due to congestive heart failure, he was 42.
What Is Kimbo Slice’s Net Worth
Kimbo Slice’s net worth at the time of his death in 2016 is estimated at $500,000. This figure was confirmed again in 2023.
He earned his wealth from a significant career as a professional fighter, mixed martial artist, and boxer, and from occasional acting appearances. Kimbo Slice was paid per fight after signing his first contract in 2007. By the time he reached the UFC, he was making more money in 50 seconds than most do in a year.
Continue reading to learn all you need to know about Kimbo Slice’s annual income, early life, personal life, career, awards, and investments.
Kimbo Slice’s Net Worth Annually
Kimbo Slice’s annual income depended on his performance and likelihood of winning during a fight. On average, he could expect to make $250,000 each year.
If it was the right fight, against the right opponent, with the right odds, he would walk away with a much higher paycheck. The more wins he racked up during his career earned him a higher check as well.
Slice lost his first professional fight in 2007 at EliteXC: Heat against Seth Petruzelli. Slice was paid $500,000 for this one fight. He would have been paid an extra $100,000 had he won. His opponent was only given $35,000 for the fight and an extra $15,000 for winning.
Due to his popularity as a fighter, Kimbo was able to attract more fans to the stadium. He was paid $175,000 for a 43-second fight in 2008 – $125,000 to fight and $50,000 to win.
His average salary, spread out evenly ranged from $1,900 to $8,300 each week.
His net worth is low in comparison to his annual income due to a 5-year hiatus after losing his contract with the UFC in 2010. During this time he switched from MMA to boxing and had to rebuild his fanbase and average salary.
How Did Kimbo Slice Get Rich?
Slice began training as a martial artist at the Freestyle Fighting Academy in 2005. Slice started training to aid his career in illegal street fighting.
After learning proper techniques, such as clinches and elbows, he discovered a genuine interest in mixed martial arts. His first legal MMA fight was against former Heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist Ray Mercer in Atlantic City in 2007. He defeated Mercer within 1 minute and 12 seconds with a guillotine choke.
This fight secured Slice’s contract with EliteXC. He debuted with the contract in 2007, defeating his opponent within 19 seconds.
His brutal fighting style and massive size, 234 lbs/106 kg, led him to win several fights. He lost his first fight in 2008 to Seth Petuzelli by Technical Knock Out (TKO). However, he’d grown such a large fanbase, the hosts continued to pay him a high salary despite the loss.
He was dubbed a top fight martial artist by CBS and EliteXC, leading him to his first Ultimate Fighting Championship bid in 2009. To debut as a UFC fighter, Slice would have to compete on The Ultimate Fighter TV show.
In 2009, he competed on The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights. He was defeated by TKO in his first appearance, only to come back that same year and win in the Finale after 3 rounds.
He fought once in the UFC before being released due to a quick loss. He then switched to boxing, where he became known for winning by Knock Out multiple times in the heavyweight division.
He took a break from fighting for almost 5 years before returning with a multi-fight deal from Bellator MMA. His first fight was scheduled for July 16, 2016. Slice passed away before his fight date.
Kimbo Slice’s Biography
Kimbo Slice was born on February 8, 1974, as Kevin Ferguson in Nassau, Bahamas. He was raised by a single mother, who moved him, his brother Devon, and his sister Renea to Cutler Ridge, Florida
He attended Bel-Air Elementary School, where he is rumored to have gotten into his first fight at the age of 13. The sweetest part of this fight is that he was simply trying to protect a friend.
He got his diploma at Miami Palmetto High School, where he also played on the football team as the star linebacker.
Unfortunately, his home was destroyed in 1992 by Hurricane Andrew. He and his family were forced to move into their car for a month.
He began college at Bethune Cookman University before transferring to the University of Miami on an athletic scholarship. He studied criminal justice and was given the opportunity to try out for the Miami Dolphins after graduating. He did not make the team.
Slice found work as a bouncer for a strip club, limousine driver, and bodyguard for the production company Reality Kings. He and the company stayed close throughout his career. Some of the employees even accompanied him as his fight entourage.
In 2003, he began competing in illegal mutual combat street fights. The fights were filmed and released online, fans then gave Kimbo his name – “Slice.”
| Full Name/Real Name: | Kevin Ferguson |
| Nick Name/Stage Name: | Kimbo Slice |
| Birth Place: | Nassau, Bahamas |
| Birthday: | February 8, 1974 |
| Zodiac Sign: | Aquarius |
| Age(How Old): | 42 (died June 6, 2016) |
| Weight: | 225 lbs (102 kg) |
| Height(How Tall): | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Wife/Husband: | L. Shontae |
| Girlfriend: | N/A |
| Parent’s Name: | Father: Names unknown
Mother: Rosemary Clarke |
| Kids/Children Name: | RaeChelle Ferguson
Kevin Ferguson II Kevinah Ferguson Grandchildren: Kevin III, Akieno, Kimbo-Legacy, Isis |
| Siblings: | Brother (s): Devon Ferguson
Sister (s): Renea Ferguson |
| College: | Miami Palmetto High School, Bethune Cookeman University, University of Miami |
| Profession: | MMA fighter, boxer, actor |
| Social Media Accounts: | N/A |
Kimbo Slice’s Career And Awards
Kimbo had a stunning fighting career beginning in 2007 and ending the year of his death in 2016. If we were to count his unsanctioned fighting, it would have been a 13 year career.
He fought professionally in MMA from 2007 to 2011 and again in 2015 through 2016. He competed in 8 matches, winning 4 by knock out and one by judges decision.
He competed as a professional boxer from 2011 to 2014. He fought 7 times, winning all 7, 6 of which were by knock out.
Slice was scheduled to make his professional wrestling debut in 2011 against Shinichi Suzukawa in Fukuoka, Japan. Unfortunately, Slice injured himself during practice and had to pull out of the fight.
He made a few television and film appearances, including Merry Christmas, Drake and Josh, The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption, and Dawg Fight.
Kimbo Slice’s Personal Life
Slice married L. Shontae in 1994. The couple had 3 children, RaeChelle, Kevin Jr, and Kevinah. They later welcomed 4 grandchildren several years later, Kevin III, Akieno, Kimbo-Legacy, and Isis. The couple divorced in the mid 2000s.
Kimbo was married once before. He had two children, Kevlar and Kassandra, and two stepchildren, RaeChelle (not to be confused with his daughter RaeChelle) and Kiara.
Kimbo Slice died in Margate, Florida after being admitted to the hospital for chest pains. He died of congestive heart failure the next day. It was later discovered he had a mass growing on his liver.
Kimbo Slice’s Investments And Endorsements
Kimbo was not known to have any major investments. Due to his rocky career and sudden switch from UFC to professional boxing, his focus remained on his career as a fighter.
While fighting, he was endorsed by Full Tilt (energy drink), and appeared in commercials for Burger King and Kmart.
His assets transferred to his children after his death.
FAQ
Were any of Kimbo Slice’s children fighters?
Kimbo’s son, Kevin Jr., is also a mixed martial artist but does not fight professionally.
Why did Kimbo leave EliteXC?
In October 2008, Elite XC was forced to file for bankruptsy. Much of the mixed martial arts community blamed Kimbo’s loss to Seth Petruzelli for the failure of the company.
What was Kimbo Slice’s nick-name while street fighting?
Kimbo Slice was given the name “The King of the Web Brawlers” by Rolling Stone after his fighting videos went viral.
Who was Slice engaged to when he died?
Slice was engaged to marry his long time sweetheart Antionette Ray.
What was Kimbo Slice’s primary fighting style?
Kimbo trained as a mixed martial artist, relying mostly on traditional boxing techniques. However, he employed other styles such as Muay Thai and grappling.
