UFC middleweight Josh Samman dies aged 28
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 06/10/16 6:51am
UFC middleweight Josh Samman has died after spending almost a week in a coma at a Florida hospital.
The 28-year-old and his room-mate Troy Kirkingburg were found unresponsive in their apartment last Thursday by a friend.
Samman was unresponsive when authorities arrived and Kirkingburg was declared dead at the scene, the Police Department of Hollywood, Florida, confirmed.
Samman's manager Gary Ibarra issued a statement to Fox Sports on Wednesday which read: "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 7:20am 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."
Samman's mother released a statement to Fox Sports on Monday stating that, contrary to online rumours, "there was no heroin found in Josh's system whatsoever".
Samman joined the UFC in 2013 after amassing a record of 9-2 in lower competitions in the sport.
He claimed stoppage victories over Eddie Gordon and Caio Magalhaes before suffering consecutive losses to Tamdan McCrory and Tim Boetsch.
Samman had been due to face Oluwale Bamgbose at UFC Fight Night 102 on December 9 in New York.
