Kimbo Slice is a name that will live in the hearts of fight fans and the chapters of mixed martial arts history. The bearded slugger rose from Dade County's signature rough and tumble mix to become one of the biggest stars to ever compete in the sport.

If his son, Kevin Ferguson Jr has his way, "Baby Slice" will be a name that not only lives up to the hype, but carries on his father's legacy as well.

Kevin Ferguson Jr. grew up watching his father shine, and knew he too would have his chance to make a name for himself. Much the way Kevin Sr. was drawn to the scrap, Jr. discovered a natural love for the ruckus as well.

Following in his father's footsteps was something Ferguson knew was his passion, and had just started his official training when tragedy struck.

On June 7, Kimbo Slice suffered failure of the heart and passed away suddenly at a hospital in Florida. And while Ferguson Jr. was undoubtedly grief stricken, the death of his father also stoked a fire which had already been set ablaze.

Rather than walk away from the fight game, Ferguson became motivated to take everything his father had built, and put it all firmly on his broad shoulders.

"I'm going to continue this legacy my dad created and just do what I love to do," Ferguson said. "This really means a lot to me. I actually signed with Bellator before everything happened. I had already started to follow my passion and then when everything happened it just changed the game for me. It made me go even harder and dedicate myself to take it more seriously."



Feb 19, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kimbo Slice (red gloves) prior to his Heavyweight fight against Dada 5000 (not pictured) during Bellator 149 at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Whether in boatyards or cages, Kimbo Slice was a feared and legendary knockout artist, and Ferguson has already shown to have a knack for what his father did best. His official MMA debut lasted only 83 seconds as Ferguson leveled his option in punishing fashion, and the name "Baby Slice" immediately became a fixture on the MMA radar.

"That fight felt great because I was able to finally release some of my power," Ferguson said. "I can't really do that in the gym with my training partners, but when I'm in a fight I'm unleashing everything. I'm letting it all go in there."

No sooner did the referee step in to award the knockout, the seeds of expectation were planted for Ferguson Jr.

That win in Massachusetts opened the doors to the next level and he will make his both his professional debut and his inaugural showing on the big stage against Rick Bing at Bellator 162 on Oct. 21 in Memphis, TN.

The Florida native is firmly aware of how much attention will be brought his way because of what his father was able to do, but none of that holds any bearing on his mindset. Because while "Baby Slice" is very much his father's son and Kimbo's accomplishments will always hold a special place in his heart, it's his personal journey that becomes amplified in Memphis.

Ferguson will enter the cage looking to make a statement and plans to let the power in his hands do all the talking.

"I honestly don't think about any of that before I fight," Ferguson said regarding expectation. "I'm not thinking about it now either. I'm getting to do what I love to do and that means the world to me. Everyone else may think there's pressure for me, or that it might be a big deal, but when I'm in that cage I just want to fight.

"I just want to get that 'W.' After I get the win that's when everything will set in and I'll realize what I just did, but before that happens my mind is free of all that. I'm just preparing for this fight.

"I'm with Coach Antonio, who is my first coach, and I'm in my first real camp and I love it," he added. "Everything is so new to me and I love it. I'm ready to fight. I'm ready to get in there and put on a show."

[tweet url="https://twitter.com/BellatorMMA/status/780448582570614784" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]

And while the spotlight will most certainly get brighter, and he'll put in the necessary work to forge a career on his own merit, make no mistake: the memory of his father will be in everything he does.

Ferguson knows the world viewed his father from many different perspectives. A physically imposing man with the ability to settle other imposing men with one clean shot, with the perfect presentation to build promotion upon.

And while that may most certainly be the way some will see his father forever, the man he saw away from the limelight is the way he'll always remember him.

"My dad was a cool guy and he was nice," Ferguson said. "In the ring he toughed it up, but outside of the ring he was a humble and normal guy. At least that was the case for me in my eyes and the way I saw him. I can't speak for everyone else, but in my eyes I saw a humble and nice dude."