#3 Kimbo Slice
Slice is a cult hero to many long enduring MMA fans. The legacy that Slice left behind was one that reminded fight fans of the gritty beginnings of caged combat, considering his roots before becoming a professional. His last feat in the cage was a dreadful and sloppy contest against long-time rival Dada 5000 and himself at Bellator 149.
The aftermath of the fight was a scary warning to Slice of things to come when Dada was rushed to hospital after suffering from a cardiac arrest and renal failure. Slice was also later caught for testing positive for steroids and elevated levels of testosterone. We don’t know if this would lead to his death, but what was for certain is that it was incredibly out of the blue. In June of that same year, Slice was slated to fight at Bellator 158 in the UK.
Prior to the fight he complained of severe abdominal pains, shortness of breath and nausea and was checked into hospital putting the fight in jeopardy. The issues eventually lead to a doctor’s diagnosis of congestive heart failure, in addition to also having a liver mass. He was put into intensive care since he urgently needed a heart transplant to survive, but upon being transported to another hospital, Slice died in June.
It was a time of mourning for the MMA community, especially since he paved a path no other cult hero can say they ever did.
