MMA Fighter Kimbo Slice Dies At 42

BALTIMORE, Md. (WJZ) -- Street-fighter turned professional mixed martial artist Kevin Ferguson, better known as Kimbo Slice, died Monday at age 42, the mixed martial artist fighting organization Bellator announced.

A cause of death has not yet been released for Slice, who according to police was hospitalized Monday in his native South Florida.

In a statement, Bellator MMA president Scott Coker lamented the loss of "one of the most popular MMA fighters ever," whom he called a "charismatic, larger-than-life personality that transcended the sport."

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

Slice, who got his start in street-fighting, was first noticed by fighting promotions after YouTube videos of his backyard brawls went viral. He fought stints for EliteXC, UFC and Bellator over his nine-year career, during which he piled up a 5-2 professional record.