UFC Corridor of Famer Stephan Bonnar lifeless at 45

Stephan Bonnar, a UFC Corridor of Fame honoree who helped put blended martial arts on the map, died Thursday. He was 45.

Bonnar died from “presumed coronary heart problems,” the UFC stated Saturday in a press release saying his loss of life.

“Stephan Bonnar was probably the most necessary fighters to ever compete within the Octagon,” stated UFC President Dana White. “The followers liked him, associated to him, and he at all times gave them his greatest. He will likely be missed.”

Bonnar was a part of a turning level in UFC historical past — a 2005 struggle in opposition to Forrest Griffin to crown the season one champion on “The Final Fighter.” The fact present title struggle went three rounds and enthralled followers, with Griffin and Bonnar laying the whole lot on the road.

Griffin defeated Bonnar, however each males had been provided offers to hitch the UFC.

“Every thing modified,” Bonnar stated in 2020. “I didn’t assume I’d have a UFC profession. It was just a bit passion I used to be doing, so it modified the whole lot. Virtually in a single day, I turned like a star. All over the place I went, somebody would acknowledge me, even in obscure locations.”

Born April 4, 1977, in Hammond, Ind., Bonnar was concerned in fight sports activities from a younger age. He graduated from Purdue College in 2000 with a level in sports activities medication.

Bonnar joined the primary season of “The Final Fighter” in 2005. “TUF” is the UFC’s actuality present, placing novice fighters by way of a collection of challenges, with the winner promised a six-figure deal and spot on the promotion’s storied roster of fighters.

The primary season finale pitted Bonnar in opposition to Griffin on April 9, 2005. The brutal, back-and-forth bout impressed a era of UFC followers. Years later, Bonnar was properly previous dwelling on the loss.

“That’s like one of the best loss ever. Nobody actually remembers the precise end result, however everybody remembers the struggle — that’s all everybody talks about,” he stated in a 2012 interview. “That’s simply such an necessary second in historical past for MMA — we helped put it on the map, gyms began sprouting up in all places, little youngsters began to coach, the record goes on.”

Bonnar completed his MMA profession with a 17-9 document. He fought champions together with Anderson Silva, Jon Jones and Tito Ortiz.

“Actually a heartbreaking loss. So very unhappy,” fellow UFC fighter Michael Bisping stated Saturday. “Ideas are along with his household.”