UFC fighter Josh Samman dead at 28

UFC fighter Josh Samman died 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 hospitalized 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.

Following amateur MMA fights in 2006, Samman made his professional MMA debut in 2007 and six years later debuted with the UFC. He went 3-2 during his UFC tenure.

"RIP Josh Samman," UFC President Dana White tweeted Wednesday.

Samman, who was from Tallahassee, Florida, also was a cast member on "The Ultimate Fighter" reality show and was coached by Jon Jones.

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