Kevin Randleman, a former UFC heavyweight champion, died Thursday at age 44, his family confirmed via social media.
Sources told FOXSports.com that Randleman had been admitted to a hospital for pneumonia and later died due to heart failure.
Randleman’s family asked in a Facebook post that media members not deviate from the facts put forth in the family’s statement, which can be seen below.
Randleman, who became known as “The Monster,” won two NCAA wrestling championships at Ohio State before pursuing a career in mixed martial arts. He defeated Pete Williams at UFC 23 in 1999 to become heavyweight champion and later lost the title to Randy Couture at UFC 28.
Randleman’s victory over Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic while fighting for PRIDE FC in 2004 remains one of the most shocking upsets in MMA history.
Thumbnail photo via YouTube screengrab
