Kimbo Slice was reportedly diagnosed with heart failure, needed transplant

THE SPORTS XCHANGE

9 years ago

This May 31, 2008, file photo shows Kimbo Slice, right, battling James Thompson of Manchester, England during their EliteXC heavyweight bout at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. (Rich Schultz, File/AP)

Kimbo Slice, top, has James Thompson of Manchester, England in a head lock during the second round of their EliteXC heavyweight bout at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Saturday, May 31, 2008. Slice won in the third round on a TKO. (Rich Schultz/AP)

Kimbo Slice, right, throws a punch at James Thompson of Manchester, England during the second round of their EliteXC heavyweight bout at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Saturday, May 31, 2008. Slice won in the third round on a TKO. (Rich Schultz/AP)

Mixed martial arts star Kimbo Slice was diagnosed with heart failure and told he needed a heart transplant last week, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Slice, who died Monday night at age 42, was admitted to the hospital on Friday. Citing a medical report from the Northwest Medical Center in Margate, Fla., the Sun Sentinel reported Slice was complaining of “severe abdominal pain, shortness of breath and nausea.”

Slice, whose birth name was Kevin Ferguson, was placed on a ventilator and was scheduled to be transported to Cleveland, according to the Sun Sentinel. He was slated to be placed on a donor’s list upon arriving in Cleveland.

Slice’s longtime manager, Mike Imber, told ESPN.com that Slice was doing well until Monday.

“On Friday, he had bad chest pains and went to the hospital,” Imber said. “I went and visited him on Friday and he seemed OK. I didn’t feel like I was going to lose my friend in two days, by any means. He seemed concerned, but he seemed all right.

“I talked to him that Saturday and Sunday and he was still in the hospital. I said, ‘Something’s not right.’ On Monday, his wife called and told me he had stopped breathing.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.