Kevin Ferguson (Kimbo Slice) was the Miami street-fighting phenomenon who took the world by storm with his backyard brawls on YouTube before transitioning to mixed martial arts. He compiled a 6-2 record, including a knockout win over MMA legend Ken Shamrock, while training and competing out of the world-renowned American Top Team (ATT).
Known through the lens of the camera as a man full of swag and knockout power, I can personally vouch that there was much more to Kimbo than what we saw on TV and YouTube. He was an outstanding training partner, teammate, and friend. The anniversary of his passing always reminds me of a conversation with him that will stick with me for the rest of my life, and I take every opportunity to share it.
Kimbo Enters ATT
The introduction of Kimbo to American Top Team came as expected—a publicized challenge laid out by an ATT mainstay (see the second volume of Keith D. Mills’s book on American Top Team for more details). But after that, everyone got to work. Kimbo handled the adaptation to MMA training like a champ and quickly proved to be a great teammate.
Kimbo In Training
Traditionally, when an older fighter with specific strengths transitions to MMA, they tend to stick with their strengths and only work outside of them when convenient. Kimbo was different. He couldn’t get enough martial arts knowledge. I truly believe I saw him working on the ground with Ricardo Liborio, Mike Brown, or Malachy Friedman more often than I saw him with a pair of gloves on.
I remember one time he showed up and his grappling drill session got canceled. Instead of heading out, he jumped into strength and conditioning—even though he didn’t have any socks or shoes with him. As comical as the situation was, it’s a great example of his mindset toward training: always open, always working to improve in every area.
It’s inevitable for fighters to lose their composure—things can get heated during training. Everyone has a bad day at work from time to time (I’ve had several and was to blame for a few scuffles during sparring). But I can’t remember a single time when Kimbo had a bad day. He was always respectful in training, never tried to hurt anyone, and remained open to learning from everyone—no matter their level of experience. He was also quick to help anyone in need.
The Man Behind the Legend
There’s a specific situation where he helped me that I’ll never forget. I had just moved down to Florida and was hustling to make ends meet while trying to train full-time and pursue a career in MMA. One of my jobs was teaching the kids’ wrestling class, and his son, Bam-Bam, was one of my wrestlers. Kimbo would always come to watch. I remember one time he showed up and gave me a handshake with money in it.
I said, “Man, you really don’t have to do that. This is my job, and Bam-Bam is a good kid.”
Kimbo replied with something that has stuck with me ever since:
“Oh no, my brother, don’t even mention it. And besides, if we don’t help each other, who will?”
I like to believe I was always the type of person who helps others when I can—but I guess I’ll never know for sure. Because now, every time I see someone who could use a break, I immediately think of what Kimbo Slice said to me that day after wrestling practice—and I act. With any luck, that person will one day be in a position to lend a helping hand themselves.
Kimbo was a great teammate—there isn’t anyone from American Top Team who would tell you otherwise. I had the privilege of calling him a friend, and I learned that there was so much more behind the Miami street fighter. That’s why whenever someone brings up Kimbo Slice, I’m proud to say I met the man behind the legend.
