Josh Samman. Photo from UFC.com
Mixed martial artist Josh Samman was reported to be still in critical condition after being found unresponsive in his apartment in Florida, USA, over the weekend.
The 28-year-old UFC middleweight, who is also a published writer, was believed to have overdosed on an unidentified substance along with his roommate MMA ring announcer Troy Kirkingburg. His friend was pronounced dead on arrival after authorities rushed to the scene.
Samman was discovered “breathing, and had a pulse, but was unresponsive,” as per MMAFighting. A 911 call had been placed by a friend, Hunter Sundberg, who performed CPR until police arrived.
His mother, meanwhile, has released a statement confirming that her son remained in a coma and denying speculations that Josh overdosed on heroin.
“In spite of speculations, there was no heroin found in Josh’s system whatsoever, no matter what people are posting on social media,” she said in statement. “The reason I am making this statement is because Josh touched so many lives, and loved inspiring others, especially young people. I don’t want them to lose faith in him, and whatever he brought out in them, because of the lies. He would want them to never give up.”
UFC officials have been made aware of their fighter’s condition, but the premier mixed martial arts organization had yet to release a statement.
Samman (12-4) rose to prominence as part of the cast of “The Ultimate Fighter” season 17 where he was coached by Jon Jones.
His claim to fame was a highlight reel head kick knockout over Eddie Gordon back in 2014, while amassing a 3-2 record inside the octagon.
Outside the cage, he authored the book “The Housekeeper: Love, Death and Prizefighting” where he addressed his past drug addiction as well as the loss of his girlfriend, who died in a car accident in 2013. Khristian Ibarrola