5 UFC fighters who passed away too soon

Despite UFC not being around for all that long, there have been quite a few deaths among its top stars especially over the last couple of years. Though nobody has ever died in UFC competition, regular life outside of the UFC has proven to be even more dangerous than fighting in many ways.

Here are 5 top stars from the UFC who have sadly passed away, all much before their time, in no particular order.

5) Kimbo Slice

Fan favorite Kevin Ferguson, better known as Kimbo Slice, sadly passed away in 2016 suddenly from heart failure. Though Kimbo was never champion, the fact that he went from being just a backyard brawler all the way to the UFC is quite amazing nonetheless.

4) Josh Samman

Josh Samman had a great run on season 17 of The Ultimate Fighter and went on to have a successful UFC career which included an amazing head kick knockout win over Eddie Gordon. Josh was a very nice guy from all accounts but did have his demons like many other pro fighters and sadly passed away in 2016 from an alleged overdose.

3) Kevin Randleman

Kevin ‘The Monster’ Randleman was the former UFC heavyweight champion of the world, how many others could say that? He was an extremely athletic specimen of a man as well as an intense and scary guy in the ring but outside from all accounts was a fun loving, jovial guy who always made time for fans.

2) Ryan Jimmo

Ryan Jimmo was a Canadian light heavyweight fighter who came from a traditional martial arts background and went on to have one of the fastest knock outs in UFC history when he knocked out Anthony Perosh in 7 seconds at UFC 149. Jimmo died after a parking lot altercation in Edmonton at age 34.

1) Evan Tanner

Evan Tanner was a very unique individual, as you can tell from his documentary ‘Once I was a Champion.’ Like many other fighters out there though, Evan had his fair share of demons which he often wrote about on his Myspace blog back in the day that endeared him to fans. Evan tragically passed away in 2008 after suffering heat exposure during a solo camping trip in the desert. He was 37-years-old.