UFC middleweight Josh Samman dies following probable drug overdose

UFC middleweight Josh Samman has died at the age of 28 following a probable drug overdose.

The fighter spent five days in a Florida hospital and for two of those he was brain dead, says Dr Craig Mallak, chief medical examiner for Broward Country.

He was moved to a hospice where he was declared dead on Wednesday morning.

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

Officers investigating a call of a possible drug overdose found Josh Samman unresponsive but with a pulse on Thursday night, according to a report issued by the Hollywood Police Department.

Troy Kirkingburg, a friend and an MMA announcer, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A friend of the pair found them and called emergency services.

Josh Samman started his professional MMA career in 2007 before being featured on reality show The Ultimate Fighter in 2013.

He then moved to UFC with three straight stoppage victories, including a debut knockout of Kevin Casey, Muhammad Ali’s son-in-law.

But he lost his last two fights.

In addition to his UFC career, Josh Samman also self-published an autobiography and wrote for MMA and UFC news outlets.

He spoke openly about the sport’s drug policy and his own issues with substance abuse.

His girlfriend was also a topic of his writing.

Hailey Bevis died three years ago in a single-car accident while texting Josh Samman.

He also co-owned the Florida-based Combat Night MMA promotional company.

“The promotion has given hundreds of aspiring athletes the opportunity to display their skills in the hopes of pursuing their dreams as professional athletes and will be one of the many legacies Josh leaves behind following a life taken all too soon,” says a statement released by Josh Samman’s family. BBC News