US MMA-UFC fighter Stephan Bonnar practices in Lapa, Rio de Janeiro, October 10, 2012. Bonnar will face Brazilian Anderson Silva on October 13. AFP PHOTO/Christophe Simon (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP)
UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar died of apparent heart complications, the promotion announced Saturday. He was 45 years old.
Bonnar played a key role in the development of the UFC with his fight against Forrest Griffin on April 9, 2005 during the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter”.
Griffin won the match by unanimous decision and was awarded a six-figure contract, but UFC president Dana White also offered to sign Bonnar. Both Griffin and Bonnar were inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2013.
“Stephan Bonnar is one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon,” White told UFC.com on Saturday. “His game against Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever and he will never be forgotten. Fans love him, relate to him, and he always gives his all for them.
“He will be ignored.”
Bonnar went on to finish his career with a 15-9 record, losing his last game to Tito Ortiz on 15 November 2014.
Following his MMA career, Bonnar entered professional wrestling and made several appearances with Impact Wrestling in 2019. He also spends time commenting on colors for WEC and served as an MMA analyst for ESPN and Fox. Sports.
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