Stephan Bonnar, UFC Hall of Famer, dead at 45 of complications from a presumed heart issue
, 2022-12-25 00:06:00,
Stephan Bonnar, the UFC light heavyweight whose memorable battle with Forrest Griffin not only landed him in the Hall of Fame but may have also saved the UFC from bankruptcy, died Thursday at 45, the UFC announced.
Bonnar and Griffin engaged in one of the great fights in the promotion’s history on April 9, 2005, in the light heavyweight finale of Season 1 of The Ultimate Fighter at the Cox Pavilion on the UNLV campus in Las Vegas. The UFC was tens of millions on dollars in debt at the time and then-owner Lorenzo Fertitta had instructed president Dana White to seek a buyer.
But after the epic Griffin-Bonnar battle on Spike TV, White, Fertitta and Spike executives worked out a new television deal in the arena’s parking lot and the company’s trajectory immediately went upward.
According to UFC.com, Bonnar died of complications from a presumed heart issue while at work. White told UFC.com that Bonnar is among the most significant fighters in UFC history
Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon. 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.
Bonnar was not only an aggressive striker who held a black belt in jiu-jitsu, but he…
,
To read the original article, go to Click here
Private Internet Access gives you unparalleled access to thousands
of next-gen servers in over 83 countries and each US state. Your
VPN experience will always be fast, smooth, and reliable.