Texas releases Kimbo Slice’s Bellator 149 pre-fight medical documents

Kevin Ferguson aka Kimbo Slice passed away from heart failure on June 6th, 2016. Four months earlier he fought Dhafir Harris aka Dada 5000 to a No Contest at Bellator 149 in Houston, Texas. The fight was originally declared a TKO victory for Ferguson, but was later overturned due to Ferguson testing positive for nandrolone and elevated levels of testosterone. Harris reportedly suffered cardiac arrest, renal failure, and severe dehydration during the fight which would lead to weeks of hospitalization.

In the months after Ferguson’s death Bloody Elbow petitioned the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), who regulated and oversaw Bellator 149, for Ferguson’s pre-fight medical documents. At that time, the TDLR sought a recommendation from the Texas Attorney General regarding whether or not they were permitted to release those documents. In September, 2016 Bloody Elbow was informed via a letter from the office of the Texas AG that Ferguson’s medical records would not be sent because releasing said documents was deemed a violation of privacy to Ferguson. This was despite Ferguson being deceased and despite Ferguson having signed documents that stated he understood that his medical documents could be shared with third parties.

In December 2016, Bloody Elbow submitted another Public Information Request (PIR) to the TDLR. This PIR resulted in the acquiring of Ferguson’s completed, but redacted, Combative Sports Professional Contestant License Application and his Professional Contestant’s Medical Examination.

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Texas Department and Licensing and Regulation

These documents reveal that Ferguson completed a medical examination on January 26th, 2016 in Coral Springs, Florida. In these forms Ferguson declared that he had a history of high blood pressure. However, during the examination Ferguson’s blood pressure was recorded as 90/68, which is ‘normal’ according to the Mayo Clinic.

Ferguson’s heart rate was listed as 66 beats per minute, while at rest. After activity – in this case ‘20 hops’ – Ferguson’s heart rate was listed as 70 beats per minute. After two minutes rest, his heart rate was measured at 68 beats per minute. The Mayo Clinic considers these heart rates ‘normal’ for an adult.

In Part 2 of the medical examination paperwork, in the section marked for heart murmurs and arrhythmia, the physician wrote ‘2/6’. A heart murmur graded 2/6 is considered a ‘slight murmur’ which is ‘soft but readily detected.’ If observed without other symptoms of poor heart health, a 2/6 heart murmur could be classified as an ‘innocent heart murmur’ and require no medical care. If a physician is concerned that a heart murmur is ‘abnormal’ they are likely to recommend further tests, such as a chest x-ray or an electrocardiogram (EKG).

Ferguson was required to submit EKG results (which a physician has evaluated as ‘normal’) to the TDLR because he was over 35-years-old. Bloody Elbow did not receive any EKG results from the TDLR. The obtained medical documents do verify that Ferguson had submitted EKG results to the TDLR.

The medical documents also reveal that Ferguson was taking medication at the time. However, that medication was not listed on the medical forms, despite the form requesting that information. The medical documents show that neither blood tests or an electroencephalography (EEG) were submitted with this medical examination form. Both blood tests and EEG are required to gain a combative sports license in Texas. Bloody Elbow was not provided any additional medical examination forms, blood test results, or EEG results for Ferguson.

On Part 1 of the medical examination form, where it asks for the number of times an applicant has been ‘KO’d’ Ferguson wrote ‘1’. At the time Ferguson had three losses by TKO in his combined amateur/professional MMA record (Roy Nelson, Seth Petruzelli, and Matt Mitrione). Elsewhere on that document, where it asks ‘Do you have any other information concerning your health, past or present, which is NOT COVERED by the questions above?’, Ferguson answered, ‘Not at this time.’

The documents confirm that Kevin Ferguson had a medical examination, which included an EKG, prior to his fight with Dhafir Harris on February 19th, 2016. The documents were sent to the TDLR by Bellator on February 9th. In a letter accompanying the release of these documents, Bloody Elbow was informed that some medical information had been redacted by the State of Texas (who cited privacy laws).

Bloody Elbow is currently evaluating methods of appeal to gain access to redacted and missing information pertaining to Ferguson’s pre-fight medicals.