Kimbo Slice cause of death: 'Heart failure,' according to local news report

Former backyard brawler turned mixed martial arts (MMA) sensation Kimbo Slice -- real name Kevin Ferguson -- died on Monday night (June 6, 2016) at just 42 years old.

The initial report -- pending official autopsy results (if one is performed) -- as to the cause of his untimely death is being attributed to heart failure, according to Orlando Sentinel, a local Central Florida newspaper.

Slice (5-2, 1 NC), who made combat sports history as an attraction for EliteXC, was scheduled to rematch James Thompson in the Bellator 158 main event on July 16, 2016 inside O2 Arena in London, England.

Read the promotion's statement on his unfortunate passing here.

Already an established star, Slice went on to try his luck under the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) banner, first as a contestant on season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter, then as a something-weight slugger to help draw interest for UFC pay-per-view (PPV) cards.

Poor showings in both endeavors sent him back to the boxing circuit before eventually circling back to Bellator MMA, where he continued to do big business at the box office.