UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar Dead at 45
UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar has passed away at the age of 45. The fight promotion announced the news on Saturday.
“The UFC family is saddened by the tragic passing of UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar Thursday from presumed heart complications while at work,” the UFC said in a statement.
“Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon,” said UFC President Dana White. “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 participated in the first season of The Ultimate Fighter and faced Forrest Griffin in the finals. He came up short on the scorecards but was awarded a UFC contract after the epic war with Griffin. White has called the match the most important in the fight promotion’s history.
‘The American Psycho’ fought 15 times inside the octagon accumulating a record of 8-7. He last fought in November 2014, losing to former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz by split decision under the Bellator MMA banner.