Former UFC heavyweight champ Randleman dies at 44

Kevin Randleman, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion and longtime Las Vegas resident, died Thursday in San Diego. He was 44.

The two-time NCAA champion wrestler at Ohio State died from heart failure after he was hospitalized Thursday for pneumonia, according to a statement released by his family.

"With saddened hearts, the Randleman family confirms the passing of Kevin "The Monster" Randleman," the statement, posted Friday on Facebook, read. "Behind the name was a gentle soul and loyal friend whom will be missed by many who loved him beyond the cage. The Ohio State University, UFC, MMA and Sandusky, Ohio, communities share in the loss of Kevin's passing. While traveling on business, Kevin became ill and unexpectedly passed due to complications from pneumonia."

Randleman signed with the UFC in 1999 after an outstanding collegiate wrestling career to compete in a tournament to determine the heavyweight champion. Though he lost a controversial decision to Bas Rutten in the final, Randleman won the vacant belt in his next fight with a unanimous decision over Pete Williams after Rutten vacated it to drop to light heavyweight.

Randleman established himself in Japan's PRIDE Fighting Championships, recording his most memorable victory with a first-round knockout of Mirko 'Cro Cop" Filipovic in 2004. Randleman went 2-9 after that victory and retired in 2011 with a 17-16 career record.

"The Monster" left a far greater legacy with a larger-than-life personality that was as bright as his dyed-blond hair.

"His death surprised me and has completely taken the wind out of my spirit today," friend and former UFC fighter Frank Trigg said via text message.

More remembrances for one of the sport's pioneers poured in on social media immediately after the news broke Thursday night.

"I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of the legend Kevin Randleman," UFC president Dana White posted on Twitter. "RIP Kevin "The Monster" Randleman."

UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer also weighed on in Twitter.

"RIP Kevin Randleman... Your smile, positive attitude & "Warrior Spirit" lit up every room & cage you walked into... TY for your friendship," Buffer posted.

Randy Couture, who took the UFC belt from Randleman in 2000 before they became friends and training partners, wrote on Instagram he was "blessed to have shared" so many memories with Randleman.

Randleman faced accusations of performance-enhancing drug use throughout his career, though he never tested positive and maintained his innocence. He was suspended for submitting a fake urine sample to the Nevada Athletic Commission in 2006, and later said he feared his use of painkillers and antibiotics after several surgeries would prevent him from being cleared to fight.

In 2007, he had a much-publicized arrest and charge of driving under the influence in Goodsprings and also was charged with speeding, driving without a valid license and intimidating an officer.

Randleman ran Monster Wrestling Academy at Coronado High School, where he also volunteered as a coach for the wrestling team.

Coronado wrestling coach Scott Kimball recalled seeing Randleman at a youth tournament five years ago and not being able to tell which side he was working with.

"He's coaching everybody," Kimball said Friday. "I don't know who he's coaching. What team is he coaching for? I could see it just didn't matter. He just cared about the kids. I'm talking kids from 5 to 18, all over the place. He just didn't care. This guy would want to coach everybody, lift everyone on his shoulders. I immediately was drawn to that. We started talking and formed a club and starting working on developing kids for life, off the mat and on."

Kimball said Randleman touched the life of everyone he met.

"He'll make anyone feel amazing beyond what they imagined," Kimball said. "They don't even know him. It doesn't matter. He's so humble. He lifts everyone on his shoulders. Whoever he's come in contact with, he's lifted them up in one way or another. Whether he's playing chess with my daughter and making her feel amazing about chess. Whether it's my son who wrestles. He was an amazing person, and it's too short. It's too short to see him go."

Randleman is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and four children. His son Calvin, from a previous marriage, played defensive back at UNLV in 2009 and 2010.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj