Josh Samman
{{Short description|American mixed martial arts fighter}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Josh Samman
| other_names =
| image = Josh_Samman_Fighter.png
| image_size = 200px
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Joshua Kaleb Samman
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1988|3|14}}
| birth_place = Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2016|10|05|1988|3|14}}
| death_place = Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
| death_cause =
| residence =
| nationality =
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=3}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/event/the-ultimate-fighter-team-att-team-blackzilians/printFightCard|title=Fight Card - The Ultimate Fighter Finale American Top Team vs. Blackzilians|publisher=UFC.com|accessdate=July 17, 2015}}
| weight = {{convert|186|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}
| weight_class = Middleweight
| reach = {{convert|79|in|cm|abbr=on}}
| style =
| stance = Orthodox
| fighting_out_of = Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.
| team = MMA Masters
| rank = Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu{{cite news|url=http://www.ufc.com/news/TUF-21-Finale-Prelim-Report|title=Samman Impresses, Subs Magalhaes in One|publisher=UFC.com|author=Thomas Gerbasi|date=July 12, 2015}} under Daniel Valverde{{cite news|url=http://combatpress.com/2015/12/ufc-on-fox-17s-josh-samman-a-pioneer-for-the-sport-he-loves/|title=UFC on Fox 17's Josh Samman: A Pioneer For The Sport He Loves|publisher=Combat Press|author=Dan Kuhl|date=December 15, 2015}}
| years_active = 2006–2016
| mma_kowin = 7
| mma_subwin = 4
| mma_decwin = 1
| mma_koloss = 1
| mma_subloss = 2
| mma_decloss = 1
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| sherdog = 17460
| footnotes =
| updated =
}}
Joshua Kaleb Samman{{cn|date=June 2023}} (March 14, 1988 – October 5, 2016) was an American mixed martial artist who, at the time of his death, competed in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and also competed for Bellator MMA.
Mixed martial arts career
=Early career=
Following amateur MMA fights in 2006, Samman made his professional MMA debut in 2007. Over the next five years, he amassed a record of 9 wins and 2 losses before joining the cast of The Ultimate Fighter.
=The Ultimate Fighter=
In January 2013, it was revealed that Samman was a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen. He won his preliminary bout over Leo Bercier via TKO in the first round. However, he drew the ire of both coaches and Dana White for what they perceived to be showboating during his bout. Samman was selected by coach Jones as his second pick (fourth overall).
In the next round, Samman defeated Tor Troéng by knockout in the first round. In the quarter final round, Samman defeated Jimmy Quinlan via submission in the first round. In the semi-finals, he faced eventual tournament winner Kelvin Gastelum. Despite being considered a heavy favorite by both coaches, Samman was quickly taken down by Gastelum and eventually submitted in the first round.
=Ultimate Fighting Championship=
On April 9, 2013, it was announced that Samman would face fellow season 17 alumni Kevin Casey at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale.{{cite web |url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2013/4/9/4207458/tuf-17-finale-fight-card-mma-news|title=TUF 17 Finale fight card|work=mmafighting.com |date=April 9, 2013 |accessdate=April 9, 2013}} After a close first round, Samman won the fight via TKO in the second round.
Samman was to replace Nick Ring against his former The Ultimate Fighter 17 rival Uriah Hall on August 17, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 26.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/07/nick-ring-out-josh-samman-meets-uriah-hall-at-ufc-on-fox-sports-1-1|title=Nick Ring out, Josh Samman meets Uriah Hall at UFC on FOX Sports 1 1|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2013-07-01|accessdate=2013-07-01}} However, on July 17, he was taken out of the bout after an undisclosed injury.{{cite web|url=http://bostonherald.com/sports/other/inside_the_octagon/2013/07/john_howard_re_signs_with_the_ufc_fights_uriah_hall_at_ufc|title=John Howard re-signs with the UFC, fights Uriah Hall at UFC on Fox Sports 1|publisher=bostonherald.com|author=Staff|date=2013-07-17|accessdate=2013-07-17|archive-date=2013-07-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720020917/http://bostonherald.com/sports/other/inside_the_octagon/2013/07/john_howard_re_signs_with_the_ufc_fights_uriah_hall_at_ufc|url-status=dead}}
Samman was expected to face Caio Magalhães on April 19, 2014, at UFC on Fox 11 but was forced to withdraw after tearing his left hamstring.{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2014/4/8/5592786/ufc-on-fox-11-josh-samman-out-of-fight-with-magalhaes-breaking-news|title=UFC on FOX 11: Josh Samman out of fight with Magalhaes|publisher=bloodyelbow.com|author=Steph Daniels|date=2014-04-08|accessdate=2014-04-08|archive-date=2014-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410230358/http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2014/4/8/5592786/ufc-on-fox-11-josh-samman-out-of-fight-with-magalhaes-breaking-news|url-status=dead}}
Samman faced Eddie Gordon on December 6, 2014, at UFC 181.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/mixed-martial-arts/eddie-gordon-vs-josh-samman-added-to-ufc-181-1.9386103|title=Eddie Gordon vs. Josh Samman added to UFC 181|publisher=newsday.com|author=Mark La Monica|date=2014-09-23|accessdate=2014-09-23}} After losing the first round, he came back in the second round to land a left switch head kick on Gordon, knocking him out in what was considered one of the best knockouts of 2014. Samman's knockout earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus award.{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-181-Bonuses-Anthony-Pettis-Sergio-Pettis-Josh-Samman-Matt-Hobar-Get-3650K-78365|title=UFC 181 Bonuses: Anthony Pettis, Sergio Pettis, Josh Samman, Matt Hobar Get $50K|author=Staff|publisher=sherdog.com|date=2014-12-06}}
Samman faced Caio Magalhães on July 12, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale.{{cite news|url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2015/4/22/8469737/mma-news-josh-samman-vs-caio-magalhaes-ufc-tuf-21-finale-florida|title=Josh Samman vs. Caio Magalhaes set for TUF 21 Finale in Florida|publisher=bloodyelbow.com|author=Mookie Alexander|date=2015-04-22|accessdate=2015-04-22}} He won the fight via rear naked choke in the first round which also earned a Performance of the Night bonus.{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2015/7/12/8939677/tuf-21-finale-results-josh-samman-willie-gates-get-stoppages-on-the-prelims-ufc-news|title=TUF 21 Finale results: Josh Samman gets quick stoppage on the prelims|work=bloodyelbow.com|author=Mookie Alexander|date=2015-07-12|accessdate=2015-07-12}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/TUF-21-Finale-Bonuses-Thompson-Usman-Masvidal-Samman-Nab-3650K-89033|title='TUF 21' Finale Bonuses: Thompson, Usman, Masvidal, Samman nab $50K|work=sherdog.com|author=Mike Sloan|date=2015-07-12|accessdate=2015-07-12}}
Samman faced returning veteran Tamdan McCrory on December 19, 2015, at UFC on Fox 17.{{cite web |url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/8/21/9189317/dollaway-vs-marquardt-samman-vs-mccrory-added-to-ufc-on-fox-17|title=Dollaway vs. Marquardt, Samman vs. McCrory added to UFC on FOX 17 in Orlando|publisher=MMAFighting.com|author=Dave Doyle|date=2015-08-21|accessdate=2015-08-21}} He lost the back-and-forth fight via submission in the third round.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/12/ufc-on-fox-17-results-tamdan-mccrory-submits-josh-samman-in-ufc-return|title=UFC on FOX 17 results: Tamdan McCrory submits Josh Samman in UFC return|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Ben Fowlkes|date=2015-12-19|accessdate=2015-12-19}}
Samman next faced Tim Boetsch on July 13, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 91.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/04/ufc-fight-night-91-gets-tim-boetsch-vs-josh-samman-scott-holtzman-vs-cody-pfister|title=UFC Fight Night 91 gets Tim Boetsch vs. Josh Samman|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2016-04-21|accessdate=2016-04-21}} He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/07/ufc-fight-night-91-results-tim-boetsch-busts-up-josh-samman-for-tko-win|title=UFC Fight Night 91 results: Tim Boetsch busts up Josh Samman for TKO upset win|author=Brent Brookhouse|website=mmajunkie.com|date=2016-07-13|accessdate=2016-07-13}}
Literary work
Samman is the author of The Housekeeper: Love, Death, and Prizefighting, which chronicles his struggles with addiction; career-threatening injuries and the death of his girlfriend.[http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/mixed-martial-arts/os-josh-samman-housekeeper-review-20160428-story.html UFC fighter's memoir is a portrait of grief]. OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved on May 17, 2016.
Samman was a long time contributor to SB Nation's website Bloody Elbow, and in August 2014, Samman started submitting Fanposts regularly to the website.[http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2014/8/29/6083435/what-will-your-verse-be What Will Your Verse Be?]. BloodyElbow.com. Retrieved on May 17, 2016.
In March 2015, BloodyElbow.com announced that Samman would become officially part of the staff and would be joining the website as a feature author.[http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2015/3/4/8146605/ufc-middleweight-josh-samman-joins-bloody-elbow-as-feature-writer UFC middleweight Josh Samman joins Bloody Elbow as feature writer]. BloodyElbow.com. Retrieved on May 17, 2016.
Samman was also a columnist for UFC.com.[http://www.ufc.com/news/Samman-Corner-Getting-the-Call Samman's Corner - Getting the Call ]. UFC.com. Retrieved on May 17, 2016. In May 2016, Samman announced he would be contributing to an additional MMA website, flocombat.com.{{Citation needed|date=May 2016}}
Combat Night
In 2009, Samman began promoting a mixed martial arts event in Tallahassee, Florida, dubbed “Ubersmash,” which featured Samman as the headliner and other local fighters on the bill.[http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/local/2015/08/12/combat-night-headed-cascades-park/31595191/ Combat Night 50 headed to Cascades Park]. Tallahassee.com. Retrieved on May 17, 2016. When Florida legislation passed that allowed for the creation of amateur MMA sanctioning bodies, Samman and his business partner immediately set out to create Combat Night, which has since expanded to Jacksonville, Orlando, and Miami to become the largest MMA organization in the state.
On Saturday, September 26, 2015, Samman and his business partner celebrated a successful 50th edition of Combat Night, drawing 4,000 fans to an amateur MMA show in Tallahassee, Florida.[http://www.ufc.com/news/Josh-Samman-Fight-Night-Orlando-overcomes-personal-grief-to-find-success?id= Samman Right At Home After Battling Grief]. UFC.com. Retrieved on May 17, 2016.
Personal life
On August 30, 2013, Samman's girlfriend Hailey Bevis died in a single-car accident while the two were texting each other.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/12/after-girlfriends-death-josh-samman-takes-guilt-grief-into-ufc-181|title=After girlfriend's death, Josh Samman takes guilt, grief into UFC 181|publisher=MMAjunkie.com|author=Ben Fowlkes|date=2014-12-02|accessdate=2016-10-01}}
On September 29, 2016, Samman and a friend, Troy Kirkingburg, were found unresponsive in a South Florida apartment due to a drug overdose. His friend, an MMA announcer for a local Florida promotion, was pronounced dead from an overdose of cocaine, heroin and pain killers upon arrival at the hospital, while Samman remained in critical condition and in a coma.{{cite web|url=http://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/josh-samman/report-josh-samman-found-unresponsive-critical-condition/|title=Report: Josh Samman found unresponsive, in critical condition|publisher=BJPenn.com|author=Staff|date=2016-09-30|accessdate=2016-09-30}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mmamania.com/2016/10/18/13317880/report-ufc-fighter-josh-samman-roommate-died-massive-drug-overdose-heroin-south-florida|title=Report:UFC fighter Josh Samman's roommate 'died from a massive accidental drug overdose'|publisher=mmamania.com|author=Thomas Myers|date=2016-10-18|accessdate=2016-10-18}} Samman died on October 5, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/10/5/13175024/ufc-fighter-josh-samman-dead-at-the-age-of-28|title=UFC fighter Josh Samman dead at the age of 28|website=mmafighting.com|author=Marc Raimondi|date=2016-10-05|accessdate=2016-10-05}}
Championships and accomplishments
=Mixed martial arts=
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Eddie Gordon and Caio Magalhães
- UFC.com Awards
- 2014: Ranked #3 Knockout of the Year {{small|vs. Eddie Gordon}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/top-ten-knockouts-2014|title=Top Ten - The Knockouts of 2014|date=December 25, 2014|author=Thomas Gerbasi|work=Ultimate Fighting Championship}}
- MMAJunkie.com
- 2014 December Knockout of the Month vs. Eddie Gordon {{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/12/mmajunkies-knockout-of-the-month-for-december-2014|title=MMAjunkie's 'Knockout of the Month' for December 2014|date=23 December 2014|publisher=}}
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
|draws=
|nc=
|ko-wins=7
|ko-losses=1
|sub-wins=4
|sub-losses=2
|dec-wins=1
|dec-losses=1
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|12–4
|TKO (punches)
|UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker
|{{dts|2016|July|13}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|3:49
|Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|12–3
|Submission (triangle choke)
|UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2
|{{dts|2015|December|19}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|4:10
|Orlando, Florida, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|12–2
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians Finale
|{{dts|2015|July|12}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:52
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|{{small|Performance of the Night.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|11–2
|KO (head kick)
|{{dts|2014|December|6}}
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 3:08
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|{{small|Performance of the Night.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|10–2
|TKO (knees)
|The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen Finale
|{{dts|2013|April |13}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:17
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|9–2
|Submission (punches)
|XFC 16
|{{dts|2012|February |10}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:17
|Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|8–2
|Decision (unanimous)
|{{dts|2011|June|25}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Hollywood, Florida, United States
|
|-
|{{Yes2}}Win
|align=center|8–1
|John Walsh
|TKO (punches)
|Moon Management: Ubersmash 4
|{{dts|2010|August|28}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:19
|Tallahassee, Florida, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|7–1
|David Baggett
|Submission (triangle choke)
|Moon Management: Ubersmash 3
|{{dts|2010|April|24}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:20
|Tallahassee, Florida, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|6–1
|KO (punches)
|Moon Management: Ubersmash 2
|{{dts|2010|January|23}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:56
|Tallahassee, Florida, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|5–1
|Colby McMahon
|TKO (punches)
|Moon Management: Ubersmash 1
|{{dts|2009|October|3}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:23
|Tallahassee, Florida, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|4–1
|Ryan Hodge
|Submission (choke)
|WWCF: Blood War
|{{dts|2008|November|29}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:41
|Ormond Beach, Florida, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|3–1
|John Walsh
|Submission (arm-triangle choke)
|ISCF: Unleashed
|{{dts|2008|March|28}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:48
|North Carolina, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|3–0
|Michael Shoffner
|TKO (punches)
|Reality Combat Championship 2: The Second Encounter
|{{dts|2008|March|1}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:24
|Jacksonville, Florida, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|2–0
|Michael Adams
|TKO (punches)
|ISCF: Winnersville Wars
|{{dts|2007|September|15}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|0:52
|Valdosta, Georgia, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|1–0
|Travis Miller
|Decision (unanimous)
|Reality Combat Championship 1
|{{dts|2007|April|28}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Jacksonville, Florida, United States
|
{{end}}
=Mixed martial arts exhibition record=
{{MMA exhibition record box
|wins=3
|losses=1
|ko-wins=2
|ko-losses=0
|sub-wins=1
|sub-losses=1
|dec-wins=0
|dec-losses=0
}}
{{MMA record start}}
| {{no2}}Loss
|align=center| 3–1
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| rowspan=4|The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen
|
|align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:03
| rowspan=4|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
| {{small|Semi-finals.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 3–0
| Jimmy Quinlan
| Submission (punches)
|
|align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:38
| {{small|Quarter-finals.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 2–0
| KO (punches)
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:02
| {{small|Preliminary bout.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 1–0
| Lou Bercier
| TKO (punches)
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:49
| {{small|Entry bout.}}
{{end}}
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{UFC|josh-samman}}
- {{Sherdog}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Samman, Josh}}
Category:American male mixed martial artists
Category:American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:Middleweight mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:Mixed martial artists from Florida
Category:Martial artists from Orlando, Florida