Kimbo Slice Dead At 42

The fighting world lost another pioneer in his own right as mixed martial artist Kimbo Slice, 42, passed away yesterday according to Bellator MMA.

Slice was hospitalized early Monday morning in Margate, Florida. No cause of death has been released as of yet, but no foul play was suspected, police say.

"We are all shocked and saddened by the devastating and untimely loss of Kimbo Slice, a beloved member of the Bellator family," Bellator president Scott Coker said in a statement.

Slice was a big part of MMA rising to the popularity it's at now. A Youtube and internet sensation, Slice became a mainstream name for his backyard brawling videos. His notoriety on the street fighting scene helped him get into MMA. Slice was part of the first prime-time network television MMA fight as he won by TKO against James Thompson in May 2008.

He last fought in Bellator 149 against Dhafir Harris, a.k.a. Dada5000, and was given a no-decision after it was found that he took anabolic steroids and had a high testosterone level.

"Outside of the cage he was a friendly, gentle giant and a devoted family man," Coker said. "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."