UFC fighter Josh Samman in coma

(This story originally appeared on tallahassee.com, a fellow Gannett site.)

A reaction of shock and sadness has spread among friends and across social media with the news “The Ultimate Fighter 17” cast member and UFC veteran Josh Samman of Tallahassee was found unresponsive early Friday in south Florida.

According to UFC bloggers, media sources and friends, Samman, 28, remains in critical condition at a south Florida hospital Saturday morning. Samman’s roommate and friend Troy Kirkingburg, who attended Florida State and was an MMA announcer for local Florida promotions, was pronounced dead on arrival. Details are few at this time, but the Democrat has requested an incident report from the local police department.

Samman and Kirkingburg had deep Tallahassee ties but lived in Hollywood Beach Gardens, according to friends.

“I think it has taken a lot of the community and his friends by shock, completely unexpected out of the both of them,” said Tallahassee’s Joe Blackwood, 31. “Both are great, great people who do a lot for the community and are well-known in the community.

“It has completely blindsided everybody.”

On Aug. 30, 2013, Samman’s girlfriend Hailey Bevis of Tallahassee died in a single-car accident while the two were texting each other.

Kirkingburg studied business and hospitality at FSU and was in the class of 2010, according to his Facebook page.

He was from Hillsdale, Michigan.

A fundraiser is scheduled at the Mint Lounge at 215 W. College Avenue on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.

Adam Corey, owner of Mint Lounge/The Edison Restaurant invited friends of Samman and Kirkingburg “to gather in memory and support of these two individuals.”

On Facebook, he posted the following.

“Last night my dear friend, Troy Kirkingburg, passed away. He worked with me in just about every business and project I have been involved with and he was one of those guys that could make things happen. He also had a way of changing your mood and bringing out the best in people. He always got me to smile, and I loved that about him. His love for others and enthusiasm for life was simply contagious and tremendously enjoyed by all that knew him, which is evidenced by the flood of Facebook posts that people are sending out.”

“To celebrate his life and generate some much needed support for his family, we are hosting a special Wine Down Wednesday at Mint Lounge this coming Wednesday night, October 5th. Troy was one of the original creators of Wine Down along with May Mendez, Dan Fester, and Spencer Wilson so it is only fitting that we bring it back and celebrate his life.”

“Jordan Gray is putting together a slideshow for that night to showcase all of the great memories we have shared with Troy. If you would like your photos included please email her your photos to jordangray.us@gmail.com.”

“We will be taking donations at the door and a percentage of all proceeds from sales will be given to support his family… #WineDownForTroy#KeepFightingJosh”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.