The MMA community is again in mourning following the tragic death of UFC middleweight Josh Samman.
The TUF 17 alumni has been in a coma for the past five days after being found unresponsive at his South Florida apartment. Friend and local MMA ring announcer Troy Kirkingburg was discovered alongside him but pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.
Local news in Florida were reporting how Samman was moved to a hospice late Tuesday night, but was breathing and had a pulse on arrival on Thursday after he was overcome by what local Police suspect may have been a drug overdose.
A friend had started CPR until paramedics arrived. No signs of foul play were found at the scene, said HPD spokeswoman Miranda Grossman. “Detectives are investigating,” Monday’s HPD report stated. “No more information is available at this time.”
Gilbert Smith, who trained alongside Samman on TUF, led the tributes today, posting: “Today is a very sad day I have lost one of my #TUF17 brothers, @joshsamman . Dude was a Warrior and probably one of the most intelligent fighters I know. Brother you will be missed! My condolences goes out to family!!! #RIP #JoshSamman #UltimateFighter #TeamJones”
In 2013, Samman’s girlfriend Hailey Bevis tragically died in a single car accident when the two were texting one another. Samman later admitted he would never get over the pain of that loss. For a long time he has battled with addiction.
A native of Tallahassee, Florida, 28-year-old Samman was signed by the UFC in 2013, for the 17th season of The Ultimate Fighter, then picked up three straight wins and two ‘Performance of the Night’ bonuses straight off the bat. His final pro record reads 16 wins against four losses, with his last appearance a TKO defeat to Tim Boetsch in July.
