FORMER professional fighter and internet sensation Kimbo Slice died Monday, aged 42.

The MMA organisation representing him at the time, Bellator, confirmed the news via a statement from their president Scott Coker.

He had been taken to a hospital in Miami, Florida, where he lived, on Monday night.

Slice, whose real name is Kevin Fergurson, had seven pro boxing fights, winning them all, only going the distance once.

However he was more well known for his time as an MMA fighter. He signed with the UFC in 2009 before recently moving to Bellator. He was known for his power and brute strength, and he last fought on February 19.

Last year he beat Ken Shamrock and Dhafir Harris, though both results were turned into no contests after Slice tested positive for Nandorlone, a banned substance, in February.

He was scheduled to headline a Bellator event at the O2 Arena in London next month.

He rose to fame when several of his bare knuckle street fights were filmed and put online. He rapidly became an internet hit, due to the brutality he displayed in those fights and the charisma he had outside of them.

The fighter has six children and was engaged to long-time girlfriend, Antionette Ray.