Stephan Bonnar

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.

The mixed martial arts organization announced Bonnar's passing on Christmas Eve. Bonnar passed away on Thursday, December 22, “from presumed heart complications ...

[Anderson Silva](https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Anderson-Silva-1356) at UFC 153, Bonnar would fight one time outside the UFC (a split decision defeat to [Tito Ortiz)](https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Tito-Ortiz-158) and then retire. After his fighting career ended, he [competed in professional wrestling](https://www.wrestlezone.com/tag/stephan-bonnar) and appeared in [IMPACT Wrestling](https://www.wrestlezone.com/tag/impact-wrestling) several times. In addition to his war with Griffin, Bonnar also had memorable fights against [Keith Jardine](https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Keith-Jardine-2638), [Rashad Evans](https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Rashad-Evans-10200), [Jon Jones](https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Jon-Jones-27944), and [Mark Coleman](https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Mark-Coleman-136). “His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. He will be missed.” Bonnar passed away on Thursday, December 22, “from presumed heart complications while at work.”

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.

UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar has died at the age of 45. The UFC confirmed the heartbreaking news on social media, leaving fighters and fans across the MMA ...

UFC analyst Megan Anderson wrote: “Stephan Bonnar vs Forrest Griffin was the first mma fight I ever watched, and it completely changed my life. Current UFC fighter Kyle Nelson wrote: “The first time I ever heard of mixed martial arts was when I was 14 and saw the first ultimate fighter. The finale between Stephan and Forrest saved the UFC from going under. It is so incredibly heartbreaking to hear the news of Stephan’s passing. We send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends,” the UFC tweeted. UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar dies at the age of 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.

The UFC world has been left in disbelief after the sudden death of Hall of Fame icon Stephan Bonnar. Read more here.

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).

UFC's Stephan Bonnar passed away due to presumed heart complications, according to the organization.

Bonnar's legacy will be that he was one of the catalysts to help UFC grow into what it is today ... In addition to MMA fighting, Bonnar also wrestled professionally ... Bonnar was an OG in UFC ... "The UFC family is saddened by the tragic passing of UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar Thursday from presumed heart complications while at work." He also fought with Bellator MMA post-UFC. competing in the very first season of 'The Ultimate Fighter' back in 2005 ... and in 2012, he retired. He fought Griffin again in a rematch, and went on to fight some big names in the sport thereafter ... "His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. The UFC broke the news Saturday, writing ... He will be missed." this according to the MMA promotion itself.

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.

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.

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.