UFC fighter Josh Samman died Wednesday morning in South Florida after being hospitalized late last week. He was 28 years old.
A
friend found Samman, along with roommate Troy Kirkingburg, unresponsive
last Thursday evening at their Florida apartment. Kirkingburg, who was
an announcer for local MMA promotions, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Although there were no signs of foul play at the scene, police
suspected a drug overdose. However, Samman’s mother issued a statement
earlier this week refuting that heroin was involved.
“Josh
is still in a coma, and more tests are being done. That is the latest
update on my son’s condition,” Samman’s mother said in the statement.
“And in spite of speculation, there was no heroin found in Josh’s system
whatsoever. No matter what people are posting on social media.”
Samman
remained comatose for several days and was moved to a hospice late
Tuesday night. Confirmation of his passing came Wednesday morning via
the Tallahassee Democrat.
Samman
first debuted as a cast member on season 17 of “The Ultimate Fighter”
and was coached by Jon Jones. He went 3-2 during his UFC tenure and was
scheduled to fight Oluwale Bamgbose on Dec. 9 at UFC Fight Night in
Albany.
Aside
from his UFC stint, both he and Kirkingburg had deep ties in the South
Florida MMA scene. Samman also released a book earlier this year titled
“The Housekeeper: Love, Death and Prizefighting,” where he openly
discussed his tumultuous life, struggles with drugs and losing his
girlfriend in a 2013 car accident.
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