UFC fighter Josh Samman dead at 28

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.