The Ultimate Fighter & UFC Star Was 45

The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 star and Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of (*45*) Stephan Bonnar has handed away on the age of 45.

The combined martial arts group introduced Bonnar’s passing on Christmas Eve. Bonnar handed away on Thursday, December 22, “from presumed heart complications while at work.”

UFC President Dana White paid tribute to the pivotal fighter, whose The Ultimate Fighter closing battle towards Season 1 winner Forrest Griffin turned an immediate basic and helped launch the corporate to a mainstay tv draw for Spike TV on the time.

“Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon,” mentioned 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.”

Nicknamed “The American Psycho,” Bonnar would finish his MMA profession with 15 wins and 9 defeats. After dropping to Anderson Silva at UFC 153, Bonnar would battle one time exterior the UFC (a cut up choice defeat to Tito Ortiz) after which retire. In addition to his battle with Griffin, Bonnar additionally had memorable fights towards Keith Jardine, Rashad Evans, Jon Jones, and Mark Coleman. After his preventing profession ended, he competed in skilled wrestling and appeared in IMPACT Wrestling a number of occasions.