UFC Middleweight Josh Samman Dies At 28

UFC middleweight Josh Samman died Wednesday morning in South Florida after being hospitalized last week, according to a spokesperson from the Broward County medical examiner and trauma services offices. He was 28.

UFC Middleweight Josh Samman Dies At 28

Dr. Craig Mallak, the chief medical examiner for Broward County, stated Samman had been hospitalized for five days, two of which he was brain-dead. A friend of the fighter’s reportedly found Samman, along with roommate Troy Kirkingburg, unresponsive last Thursday evening at their Florida apartment. Kirkingburg, a former announcer for local MMA promotions, was pronounced dead at the scene. Although no foul play was suspected at the scene, police named a drug overdose as a possible cause of death. However, Samman’s mother issued a statement earlier this week fervently denying 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.”

A cause of death for Kirkingburg, 28, has not yet been determined either.

After remaining comatose for several days, Samman was moved to a hospice late Tuesday night. Confirmation of his passing came Wednesday morning via the Tallahassee Democrat.

A UFC spokesperson told ESPN earlier this week that the promotion was aware of Samman’s condition and had been in contact with his management.

Samman’s manager Gary Ibarra issued a statement to FOX Sports on Wednesday regarding the fighter’s passing.

“It is with a heavy heart that the family of Joshua Samman, well known professional mixed martial artist, promoter and author have announced his passing this morning at 7:20 a.m. at Regional Memorial Hospital in Hollywood, Florida. He was 28 years old.

“The cause of death has yet to be determined pending an autopsy. The family asks that Josh’s privacy be respected and that everyone continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.”

A Tallahassee native, Samman (12-4) debuted with the UFC in 2013, going 3-2 during his tenure. He was also a contestant on the UFC’s reality series “The Ultimate Fighter,” which is in its 17th season. Samman was scheduled to fight Oluwale Bamgbose on Dec. 9 at UFC Fight Night in Albany.

Samman also released a book earlier this year entitled “The Housekeeper: Love, Death and Prizefighting,” in which he openly discusses his tumultuous life, struggles with drugs and losing his girlfriend in a car accident in 2013. He has also contributed written works to BloodyElbow.com and UFC.com.

His last fight was in July.

LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 06: Josh Samman celebrates after knocking out Eddie Gordon in their fight during the UFC 181 event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on December 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)