Kimbo Slice's son is following in his father's footsteps, fighting for Bellator

Although Kimbo Slice is no longer with us, his spirit will live on in the cage as Bellator recently announced the signing of Kevin “Baby Slice” Ferguson Jr.

Bellator already set a date for the debut of the 24-year-old son of the late Kimbo Slice as well – August 26 at Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull.

“Baby Slice” will fight for the same promotion that his father last competed in before tragically dying of congestive heart failure on June 6. Although Ferguson Jr. doesn’t have a professional MMA fight under his belt, he did have his first amateur fight in March when he scored a knockout in 84 seconds.

He’s only been training MMA full-time for the past two years. Prior to that, he studied photography at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

“I was always around the fight business and everything, so I saw it and I understood what was going on,” Ferguson told the AP. “I just knew without a doubt that one day, this was what I wanted to do.”

Ferguson Jr. hopes to pick up where his late father left off. It’s an imposing shadow to try to get out from under, but Ferguson Jr. is willing to take on the challenge. The announcement may have just happened but he was signed to the MMA promotion before his father’s passing. Ferguson Jr. spoke to the Associated Press about dealing with Kimbo Slice’s death.

“I won’t say I adjusted well or it didn’t bother me, but I was talking to him a few days before, so I understood what was going on,” Ferguson said. “It was more of a shock to the world, put it like that. It was still a very big tragedy, but I got through it. I’m still getting through it. I won’t say I’m over it, but I’m working on it, I guess.”

Ferguson Jr.’s opponent has yet to be selected but should be announced in the coming week.