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Report: MMA Pioneer Kevin Randleman Dead At 44

Former Team Hammer House teammate Wes Sims confirmed Randleman’s death Thursday night with Sherdog.com. According to Bleacher Report’s Jeremy Botter, Randleman was admitted into the hospital for pneumonia and subsequently passed of heart failure.

A sprightly Randleman was spotted just last week at the World MMA Awards in Las Vegas.

Randleman began his professional MMA career in 1996, compiling a 17-16 record before calling it quits in 2011 after dropping four straight fights. He was last seen getting submitted by Baga Agaev.

Although the two-time NCAA national champion wrestler from Ohio State University owned an average MMA record, he was one of the sport’s most recognizable athletes during its infancy due to his buff physique and bleach blond hair.