LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: MMA Heavyweight Sensation Kimbo Slice is seen during the Workout/Media Day with Kimbo Slice and Gina Carano at the Legends Mixed Martial Arts Training Center on September 17, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

Kimbo Slice, the popular MMA fighter who started off as a YouTube backyard fighting legend before working his way into the octagon, passed away Monday night. He was 42.

The cause of death is, at this time, unknown. Earlier Monday evening, TMZ reported Slice, whose real name was Kevin Ferguson, was rushed to a hospital in Florida in what has been called a dire situation. Rumors of Slice’s death were quick to follow on Twitter, but it took some more time to develop any confirmed news on the death.

The last time Ferguson stepped foot in the ring was back in February at Bellator 149. He emerged victorious over Dad 5000 but had his win forfeited after failing a drug test for a banned steroid. Slice was also suspended for 90 days as a result.

In April, Bellator MMA announced Slice was scheduled to make a return to the ring for a July 16 event in London. As noted at the time, Slice was a huge draw for the promotion, with 2.5 million viewers tuning in for his fight in February, which is a sizable number for the organization.

Slice made his MMA debut in 2007 at an event in Atlantic City against former WBO Heavyweight champion Ray Mercer. The three-round exhibition was over after just 1:12 gone by in the first round as Slice choked out Mercer. Slice later got involved in boxing and professional wrestling, but he will forever be known for his street and MMA fighting.

His record as a professional boxer will go down as a clean 7-0 with six knockouts, and he had a 5-2-1 MMA record with three knockout victories.

[MMA Fighting, TMZ]

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.