Tragic UFC fighter Josh Samman dies at 28 of probable drug overdose

UFC middleweight Josh Samman died on Wednesday after spending nearly a week in a Florida hospital following a probable drug overdose. He was 28.

Dr Craig Mallak, the chief medical examiner for Broward County, says Samman had been hospitalised for five days, two of which he was brain-dead, before being declared dead Wednesday morning at a hospice.

Mallak said toxicology tests had been completed and the cause of death would be listed as a probable drug overdose.

According to a report issued by the Hollywood Police Department, officers investigating a call of a possible drug overdose found Samman unresponsive but with a pulse Thursday night. Troy Kirkingburg, a friend and an MMA announcer, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say there were no signs of foul play.

The two were found by a friend, who called 911.

“This is just brutal. Such a talented guy. Rest In Peace Josh,” UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic wrote in a post on his Twitter account.

Samman, a Tallahassee native, began his professional MMA career in 2007. He eventually landed a spot on “The Ultimate Fighter,” the promotion’s competition reality show, in 2013. Samman fought on a team coached by Jon Jones, winning two bouts before losing to eventual champion Kelvin Gastelum in the tournament semi-finals.