Jim Henry and Karl Etters

Democrat staff writers

Tallahassee mixed martial arts fighter Josh Samman died in South Florida Wednesday. He was 28.

According to multiple local friends and social media reports from his fellow MMA fighters, Samman died after being hospitalized late last week.

The Ultimate Fighter veteran was unresponsive Thursday night when a friend found him and roommate Troy Kirkingburg at their Hollywood Beach Gardens apartment.

MMA community in shock; fighter Josh Samman in coma

“They both had the ability to light up a room with their enthusiasm,” said Adam Corey, owner of The Mint Lounge/Edison Restaurant and a friend of Samman and Kirkingburg. “They captivated you, not only by their looks and conversation but for their joy of getting to know people.”

A fellow MMA fighter, 36-year-old Sky Rudloe, is the owner of Train. Fight. Win. on West Gaines Street, where Samman worked out. The pair trained together just last Tuesday.

After hearing of Samman's death, he said the impact will be long lasting.

"He was a good guy and the face of the sport in all of North Florida." Rudloe said. "I’m going to miss him."

Samman, who was moved to hospice late Tuesday night, was breathing and had a pulse Thursday after he was overcome by what Hollywood Police suspect may have been a drug overdose.

A friend started CPR until paramedics arrived. No signs of foul play were found at the scene, said HPD spokeswoman Miranda Grossman.

"Detectives are investigating," the HPD report stated. "No more information is available at this time."

The HPD report, released Monday, came after days of chatter and social media reports that drugs may have been involved in the incident.

Hours after the report was released, Samman's mother, in a statement to FOX Sports, sought to dispel the notion that heroin was involved in her son's hospitalization.

"And in spite of speculation, there was no heroin found in Josh's system whatsoever. No matter what people are posting on social media," Samman's mother said in the statement.

She said more tests were being done.

"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.' "

Samman and Kirkingburg had deep Tallahassee ties. Friends and fans reacted with shock and sadness. Samman is an Ultimate Fighter veteran and UFC contender who is the CEO of Combat Night. Kirkingburg was Samman’s roommate and friend. He attended Florida State and was an MMA announcer for local Florida promotions.

The 'rebirth' of Josh Samman

Corey told the Democrat he is hosting a fundraiser at the Mint Lounge at 215 W. College Avenue on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. Donations will be taken at the door and a percentage of all proceeds from sales will be given to support the families of both men. GoFundMe pages have also been set up for both men.