UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar dead at 45

The 45 year old UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar passwd away on Thursday from heart complications while at work.

“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.”

The promotion did announced the news on Twitter:

He competed on The Ultimate Fighter in 2005 and at the finale, he fought against Forrest Griffin and is considered one of the greatest fights of all-time. He earned a place in the UFC Hall of Fame’s fight wing.

“I knew it was a good fight during the fight,” Bonnar once said of the epic three-rounder. “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.’”

The first Griffin vs Bonnar fight may have saved the UFC. This led to another TUF season and introduced new fight fans and new fighters.

The FightBook MMA family sends its condolences to the family and friends of Stephan Bonnar.

Roberto Villa

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.