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          Police: UFC's Josh Samman hospitalized in Florida last week

          • Brett OkamotoOct 3, 2016, 08:12 PM
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              Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: "Chuck and Tito," which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
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          UFC middleweight Josh Samman was hospitalized last week after he was found unresponsive in a friend's home.

          According to a statement from the Hollywood Police Department in South Florida, Samman, 28, and friend Troy Kirkingburg, 28, were found in Kirkingburg's home on the evening of Sept. 29.

          Kirkingburg was pronounced dead at the scene. Samman, who is from Tallahassee, Florida, was unresponsive but breathing and had a pulse, according to the police statement. He was taken to a nearby hospital.

          According to the police statement, officers responded to a call of a "possible drug overdose."

          A representative for Samman has declined to make an official statement to ESPN. A UFC spokesperson told ESPN the promotion is aware of Samman's hospitalization and is in contact with his management.

          Samman (12-4) debuted with the UFC in 2013. He is a former contestant of the reality series "The Ultimate Fighter" and has also contributed written works to BloodyElbow.com and UFC.com. In 2015, he released a memoir titled "The Housekeeper: Love, Death and Prizefighting." He last fought in July.