UFC middleweight Josh Samman passed away last week at just 28 years old. Bloody Elbow, where he regularly published, has done a beautiful job of covering the story and remembering the man.
Anton Tabuena details that Samman’s family has established an MMA foundation to help young athletes in the fighter’s memory. The news came via Samman’s obituary:
Joshua Samman, a well-known professional mixed martial artist, promoter, and author passed away October 5th, 2016 at Regional Memorial Hospital in Hollywood, Florida. He was 28 years old.
Josh touched so many lives, but the overwhelming support from friends, fighters, fans and strangers has been incredible. In his short life, Josh accomplished amazing feats, affecting many. From the mom whose daughter was having a meltdown in the local grocery store and Josh bought the kid a balloon to calmer her, to the young aspiring athletes that he mentored, to his own family that has to tell their little ones that yes, even superheroes can die. When Josh walked into a room, you knew it. Not necessarily because he was enormous, but his personality lit up a room. Young or old, you were his friend if he met you. We will miss his huge laugh and hugs that would crush you. The kid never knew how strong he was.
Josh was a talented artist and advocate. He wrote and interviewed regularly for multiple MMA based news outlets and was a contributing author to UFC.com, providing a unique perspective on issues facing both athletes and the fans of the sport he loved. He was co-owner and operator of the Florida-based MMA promotion Combat Night, now entering its 3rd year of operation. The promotion has given hundreds of aspiring athletes the opportunity to display their skills in the hopes of pursuing their dreams as professional athletes and will be one of the many legacies Josh leaves behind following a life taken all too soon. For Josh, it was about more than helping the sport of MMA grow; it was about helping people in need. Through his promotion, he teamed up with multiple local charities, ranging from pediatric cancer to military veteran programs.
Created in his honor, Josh Samman MMA Foundation, is a non-profit organization providing young athletes with a chance to have their own life-changing experiences. The funds will cover training expenses, travel, and education on being a professional in the sport; with the goal to sponsor athletes who will pass on the good deed to others in need.
https://www.youcaring.com/josh-samman-mma-foundation-667761
In lieu of flowers, please donate to help kickstart this foundation.
The legacy Josh built will be honored by those who have been touched by him, the thousands of fans, friends, and family; especially, his beloved mother, Cheryl Phoenix; father, Sa’id Samman (wife, Frankie); sisters, Hannah Samman Cline (Kyle) and Sahar Samman; a niece, Karsyn; Uncle Mark Melton (Tamara), and cousin, Jackson.
A Celebration of Josh’s Life will be held on Friday, October 14th at 1 p.m. at the Moon, 1105 East Lafayette Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32301.
His death is a tragedy, but remember Josh’s advice: focus on the ones you love because you never know when they’d be taken from you. Read his articles, watch his videos, watch his fights, watch him sing on YouTube, read his book, hug your loved ones, climb a mountain, travel the world, affect thousands of people, be a philanthropist, inspire the un-inspirable, and last but not least, Samman Smash the world.
You can provide support to the Josh Samman MMA Foundation here. Goals of the foundation are to:
… Help young athletes get a chance to have those same life-changing experiences. We hope to help cover training expenses, travel expenses, and proper education on being a professional in the sport. Our goal is to one day have a sponsored athlete pass on the good deed to others in need.
