Yahoo News Stephan Bonnar Dies: UFC Hall Of Famer Was 45
Stephan Bonnar, UFC Hall of Famer, died Thursday, December 22 of presumed heart complications while at work, according to the UFC. He was 45.
“The UFC family is saddened by the passing of UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar. We send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends,” the UFC announced on Instagram.
More from Deadline
Related Story
Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery
Related Story
UFC-Disney Rights: Endeavor President Mark Shapiro Says Renewal Talks Could Start Soon; Amazon And Apple In The Mix, But Company Doesn't Plan To Be Netflix's Sports "Guinea Pig"
Related Story
Ari Emanuel Says Endeavor Sitting Pretty In Era Of AVOD, Surging Sports Rights, Podcast Deals & Live Events; Sees No Hit From Shift In Content Spend
“Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon,” UFC President Dana White said in a statement. “His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. The fans loved him, related to him and he always gave them his best. He will be missed.”
Bonnar helped popularize UFC and bring it into the mainstream when he starred in the first season of The Ultimate Fighter in 2005. It was his bout against Forrest Griffin that had fans glued to television screens. It is regarded as one of the best fights of all time.
“I knew it was a good fight during the fight,” Bonnar said of his fight against Griffin. “It hit me when everyone started stomping their feet and it felt like the whole place was shaking. And that was in the second round. I was like ‘oooh, this must be good.'”
Bonnar was a native of Indiana where he started wrestling at the age of 10. He would then take on Tae Kwon Do at the age of 12 and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at the age of 22. At the age of 24, he started boxing.
Throughout his career in the UFC he went on to face other MMA stars like Tito Ortiz, Anderson Silva, Rashad Evans, Jon Jones, Lyoto Machida and Mark Coleman.
Best of Deadline
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
