Kimbo Slice leaving MMA for Boxing: A retrospective

Posted by Ryan McGinnis (Contributor)

Aug 27

This week there was talk that the highly talked about Youtube sensation, Kevin “ Kimbo Slice ” Ferguson was calling it quits in MMA and going to give it a try at the heavyweight division in boxing. These talks might be a little premature but let’s retrospect on the MMA career on one Kimbo Slice anyway.

Kimbo was a Youtube sensation for years. Known for backyard brawling in the streets of Miami, Kimbo used to be videotaped knocking guys out with amazing power in his hands. Kimbo was only beat one time while backyard fighting by a guy named Sean Cannon, a retired Boston police officer.

Kimbo finally gave mma a shot with CFFC, making his MMA debut against Olympic gold medalist, Ray Mercer at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 5 in Atlantic City on June 23, 2007. It took only 72 seconds for Kimbo to beat Mercer via Round one guillotine choke. Kimbo went on to an interview after his win to call out David “Tank” Abbott, which at a later date was cancelled due to a promotion dispute.

October 11th, 2007 Kimbo went on to join ProElite and would make his debut a month later. Kimbo was supposed to make his debut against Mike Bourke, but due to a shoulder injury, Kimbo was matched up with Bo Cantrell. Kimbo defeated Cantrell in 19 seconds of the first round via submission (strikes).

Kimbo finally got the match he wanted with Tank Abbott on February 16th, 2008 at EliteXC: Street Certified. 43 seconds into the first round Kimbo knockout Abbott. This would be Kimbo’s first knockout since he joined MMA and he was now 3-0 in the cage.

May 31st, 2008, EliteXC: Primetime, Kimbo took on James “Colossus” Thompson in the main event. After being taking down at will, Kimbo threw a haymaker that hit Thompson in the left ear, causing it to rupture. After a few more punches thrown by Kimbo the fight was stopped by the referee.

October 4th, 2008 Kimbo Slice was set to face off against Ken Shamrock at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. However, Shamrock received a cut over his eye warming up the night before his fight with Kimbo. With hours remaining for the fight, Seth Petruzelli was offered the fight with Kimbo. Just 14 seconds into Round one, Kimbo was defeated by TKO, shocking the promotion and the world.

Following the devastating loss the EliteXC fighters were out of work when the organization ceasing operation on October 20^th, 2008.

Now without a contract, Kimbo began talk about him joining the UFC. After months of trash talk between Dana White and Kimbo, White stated the only way Kimbo would get a shot is if he went though The Ultimate Fighter.

June 1st, 2009, Kimbo accepted the challenge and appeared on the TUF 10 set in Las Vegas. His run didn’t last long though as he was beat in his first round by eventual champ Roy Nelson via TKO stoppage. Later in the show Kimbo was offered a comeback and declined after finding out he had arthritis in his knee.

Kimbo went on to face Houston Alexander on December 5th, 2009 at The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale. It was a highly anticipated fight that when it was all said and done didn’t consist of much. Kimbo went on to win by unanimous decision to get his first UFC win.

May 8th, 2010 Kimbo made his pay-per-view and heavyweight debut at UFC 113 against former TUF 10 roommate, Matt Mitrione. Kimbo looked overmatched and went on losing the fight in the second round by TKO. Following his loss, Dana White said it was “probably Kimbo’s last fight in the UFC”. The very next day he was indeed cut from the organization, with an unknown future.

Now back to the present, where Kimbo told ESPN that he wanted to give boxing a try after spending three years in MMA. Kimbo stated that this is going to be a career move for him. During his interview Kimbo went on to say

“I feel like a baby all over again, I’m thinking about this at night. I’m gonna be a problem in the heavyweight division. I’m going to be coming in with a bad demeanor. I want to see what it’s like to break some ribs, break a jaw with one punch.”

Kimbo later posted on his Twitter account that he is not leaving MMA for good just giving a go at boxing.

So is Kimbo calling it quits with MMA to make a full transition to boxing or is he just going to try his hand in boxing since MMA hasn’t gone to well?