According to the UFC, Stephan Bonnar, a UFC Hall of Famer, died at work on December 22 from what are believed to be heart difficulties.
The death of UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar has shocked the UFC family. On Instagram, the UFC sent its condolences to his family and friends.
UFC President Dana White referred to Stephen Bonnar as “one of the most significant Octagon competitors in history.” “His bout with Forrest Griffin revolutionized the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. The fans adored him, identified with him, and he always gave them his all. He will be sorely missed.”
When he appeared in The Ultimate Fighter’s inaugural season in 2005, Bonnar played a key role in bringing the UFC into the public eye. Fans were glued to their televisions for his fight with Forrest Griffin, regarded as one of the best fights ever.
“I knew it was going to be the best battle while it was going on,” Bonnar said of his bout with Griffin. “It hit me as everyone started pounding their feet, and the whole place started shaking. That happened in the second round. “I thought to myself, ‘oooh, this has to be nice.'”
Bonnar was born in Indiana and began wrestling at the age of ten. At the age of 12, he began Tae Kwon Do, and at 22, he began Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. He initiated boxing at the age of 24.
Throughout his UFC career, he faced off against fighters such as Tito Ortiz, Anderson Silva, Rashad Evans, Jon Jones, Lyoto Machida, and Mark Coleman.