Former UFC champ Randleman passes away at 44

Kevin Randleman. Photo from https://www.kevinrandleman.com/

A Mixed Martial Arts icon has passed away.

Kevin Randleman, a former UFC heavyweight champion and Pride veteran died of heart failure, as per Bleacher Report. He was 44.

Sherdog also reported Wes Sims, who once trained with Randleman at Mark Coleman’s Team Hammer House, confirmed the death.

Randleman was a two-time NCAA national champion wrestler with Ohio State University before starting his MMA career in 1996 with the Universal Vale Tudo Fighting banner in Brazil.

He then made his UFC debut in 1997 with a unanimous decision win over Maurice Smith at UFC 19 then captured the heavyweight title at UFC 23 with a five-round verdict over Pete Williams.

Randleman defended the title twice and lost it to Randy Couture in the second one at UFC 28.

After losing the title, the Monster moved to Pride in 2002 and amassed a 4-7 record in his three-plus year stint in Japan.