Despite Michael Jackson’s Superstardom, Jorge Masvidal Claims MMA Icon Kimbo Slice’s Popularity Is More Than the Popstar’s Almost Decades Ago

Published 07/16/2023, 10:35 AM EDT

Kimbo Slice, born Kevin Ferguson, was a colossal figure in the world of mixed martial arts, a name that reverberated through the fighting community and beyond. With his formidable physique, relentless aggression, and raw fighting style, the late mixed martial artist became an icon in the sport. He rose to prominence through street fights that went viral online, captivating millions with his brute strength.

Slice’s notable highlights include his electrifying performances in EliteXC and the UFC. His knockout power and unyielding spirit earned him a legion of dedicated fans. Whether it was his legendary bout against James Thompson, where he overcame adversity to secure a thrilling victory, or his participation in The Ultimate Fighter reality show, the Bahamian fighter always left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of fight enthusiasts.

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Interestingly, the retired UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal has likened Kimbo Slice’s stardom to that of the ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson. In fact, ‘Gamebred’ has firmly attested that the MMA legend’s stardom surpassed the fame of the music legend by leaps and bounds.

Jorge Masvidal notes Kimbo Slice was far ahead of Michael Jackson

Jorge Masvidal recently made an appearance on a podcast hosted by the internet personality and stand-up comic, George Janko. During their conversation, the former BMF champion delved into the topic of the legendary Kimbo Slice, discussing him at length.

When Janko asked Masvidal about Slice’s reputation back in the day. The 38-year-old fighter responded with enthusiasm, stating, “He was a f**king rockstar,”

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Expanding on his point, Masvidal highlighted the impact Slice had during the early days of YouTube. He said, “YouTube, right? When it first came out, he was the original YouTube star… A comparison; If Michael Jackson, back then when YouTube first came up, put out a video and it had like, 570,000- I’m not lying to you, Kimbo had like, 5 million views. It was in-f**king-sane.”

The YouTube success of the late MMA legend is widely recognized. Even the renowned UFC commentator Joe Rogan has attested to Slice’s significant following on the platform.

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What are your thoughts on Jorge Masvidal’s comments on Kimbo Slice? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Mayur Soni is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. His journey as an MMA fan started with Conor McGregor’s historic 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo in 2015, which sparked his love for the sport. Since then, he has closely followed the sport and gained an in-depth understanding of its nuances, which reflects in his insightful and analytical writing.

Edited by:

Yeswanth Praveen

Despite Michael Jackson’s Superstardom, Jorge Masvidal Claims MMA Icon Kimbo Slice’s Popularity Is More Than the Popstar’s Almost Decades Ago

Jorge Masvidal notes Kimbo Slice was far ahead of Michael Jackson

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