Stephan Bonnar

Stephan Bonnar, one half of one of the most legendary fights in UFC history is dead at age 45, the promotion announced Saturday.

What's undeniable is the pivotal role it played helping to usher in the 'UFC on Spike' era, which in turn altered the sport forever. [@StephanBonnar]was always a class act whenever I got a chance to talk to him. Stephan Bonnar may very well be the most important fighter in UFC history to never win a UFC title as one half of the iconic TUF 1 finale with Forrest Griffin. But he was also SO kind and fun to work with. Stephan Bonnar—You had the heart of a thousand men. RIP to a great friend and Fighter. The first time I ever heard of mixed martial arts was when I was 14 and saw the first ultimate fighter. [December 24, 2022] We send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends. Many fighters, promoters, fans, and loved ones flocked to social media Saturday to mourn the loss of a UFC pioneer. In April 2022, Bonnar had more struggles outside the cage when [his house burned down](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/04/mma-news-ufc-hall-of-famer-stephan-bonnar-lost-everything-in-house-fire). Bonnar parted ways with the promotion after a failed drug test and claimed retirement.

Bonnar was a finalist in first series of The Ultimate Fighter with his clash with Forrest Griffin sparking a huge increase in interest in mixed martial ...

His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the landscape of the sport of MMA and pushed it to the next level. "His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. Bonnar lost the light-heavyweight clash but recovered to win his next three fights in the UFC. “Lost everything, house is done,” Bonnar said at the time. Bonnar later turned his hand to professional wrestling and made several appearances for Impact Wrestling. Bonnar is widely credited with sparking an explosion of interest in mixed martial arts thanks to his rivalry with Forrest Griffin.

Former UFC star Stephan Bonnar has passed away at just 45 years old due to complications of the heart. The UFC took to social media to announce the news on ...

He competed on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter in 2005, and in the finals, he and Griffin fought in one of the most legendary fights ever. Bonnar fought the likes of Anderson Silva during his 14-fight career in the UFC - Bonnar fought Forrest Griffin in one of the biggest fights in UFC history

Stephan Bonnar, whose fight with Forrest Griffin in the first The Ultimate Fighter finale remains one of the greatest in UFC history, died Thursday at 45.

Bonnar died of presumed heart complications while at work, according to UFC, which announced his death. Both inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2013, Bonnar ...

Both inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2013, Bonnar and Forrest Griffin are credited for helping UFC -- and mixed martial arts as a whole -- gain mainstream notoriety following their fight on "The Ultimate Fighter" reality show. He also spent some time with Impact Wrestling in 2019. Bonnar fought multiple other fellow Hall of Famers, including Mark Coleman, Rashad Evans, Tito Ortiz and Anderson Silva.

MMA Fighting also received confirmation of the octagon legend's death via a law enforcement source with knowledge of the situation. They revealed that the ...

Treatment of this condition involved a lengthy period of recovery and the use of intravenous antibiotics, as reported by At that time he had been attempting to get treatment for a severe injury sustained during his grappling career. He courted controversy in September 2021 after posting video footage on Instagram that showed Bonnar involved in a heated confrontation at a hospital. As a result, the retired fighter moved into a new home. MMA Fighting also received confirmation of the octagon legend’s death via a law enforcement source with knowledge of the situation. We send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

Stephan Bonnar, who earned a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame as one half of one of the most legendary fights in promotion history, has died at 45.

Many fighters, promoters, fans, and loved ones flocked to social media Saturday to mourn the loss of a UFC pioneer. In April 2022, Bonnar had more struggles outside the cage when [his house burned down](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/04/mma-news-ufc-hall-of-famer-stephan-bonnar-lost-everything-in-house-fire). Bonnar parted ways with the promotion after a failed drug test and claimed retirement. Bonnar competed 26 times as a professional, with 15 UFC appearances and one for Bellator. "His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. [the fight many credit with turning around a then-struggling UFC](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/04/forrest-griffin-vs-stephan-bonnar-ufc-tuf-finale-today-in-mma-history).

Dana White has paid an emotional tribute following the untimely passing of UFC icon Stephan Bonnar who was a pioneer of the sport - and helped save the ...

"I didn’t think I’d have a UFC career. He will be missed." Then added: "The UFC family sends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Stephan Bonnar." The official UFC statement announcing his passing reads: "The UFC family is saddened by the tragic passing of UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar Thursday from presumed heart complications while at work." White said of the 45-year-old: "Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon. [Dana White](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/latest/dana-white) has paid an emotional tribute following the untimely passing of [UFC](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/latest/ufc) icon Stephan Bonnar who was a pioneer of the sport - and even helped save the promotion in his heyday.

The American fought icons such as Anderson Silva, Jon Jones and Rashad Evans across an eight-year career in the UFC.

In the season finale, Bonnar was outpointed by Forrest Griffin while challenging his compatriot for the light-heavyweight title. Bonnar made his professional MMA debut in 2001, before fighting in the UFC between 2004 and 2012. Bonnar achieved three of his pro wins via knockout/TKO, seven by submission, and five via decision.

Stephan Bonnar, a UFC Hall of Famer who helped launch the promotion into the mainstream with his 2005 fight against Forrest Griffin in the first season of ...

Despite his loss to Griffin, Bonnar won his next three bouts, the newspaper reported. He made his pro debut in 2001 and entered the UFC with a 7-1 record. [Bellator MMA](https://www.bellator.com/) promotion, [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/35316600/ufc-hall-famer-stephan-bonnar-dies-age-45) reported. “His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. We send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.— UFC (@ufc) [American Psycho](https://www.ufc.com/athlete/stephan-bonnar),” Bonnar’s fight against Griffin on April 9, 2005, is regarded as one of the most important fights in mixed martial arts history.

Stephan Bonnar died from "presumed heart complications while at work," the UFC said in a news release on Saturday.

Remembering the UFC Hall of Famer and The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 Contender Stephan Bonnar.

That was the perfect example of that. I was jogging and someone in a pickup was going ‘Hey Bonnar.’ And everywhere you go, someone knows who you are. It was just a little hobby I was doing, so it changed everything. I was traveling with TapouT and we were in a small town. And that was in the second round. "His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten.

Former fighter Stephan Bonnar, who played a significant role in the UFC's growth into the dominant promotion in mixed martial arts, has died, UFC announced.

“His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. He will be missed.” He reached the competition’s finale, where he had a spectacular, bloody brawl with Forrest Griffin.

Stephen Bonnar, who helped popularize UFC in the first season of "The Ultimate Fighter" in 2005, died Thursday. He was 45.

And that was in the second round. I was like 'oooh, this must be good.'" He will be missed."

UFC says former fighter Stephan Bonnar, who played a significant role in the UFC's growth into the dominant promotion in mixed martial arts, has died.

“His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. He will be missed.” He reached the competition’s finale, where he had a spectacular, bloody brawl with Forrest Griffin.