Many users took to reddit and similar platforms to honor Stephan Bonnar. He was a renowned UFC Hall of Famer, and recently, the UFC community was stunned after the tragic death of Stephan.
It was confirmed that he died on Thursday, December 22, and according to UFC, it was reported that he had heart complications while at work.
On Instagram, the UFC announced, “The UFC family is saddened by the passing of UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar. We send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.”
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Dana White, UFC President, shared a statement in which he said, “Stephan Bonnar was one of the most significant fighters to ever compete in the Octagon. His fight with Forrest Griffin revolutionized the sport, and he will never be forgotten. The fans adored him and identified with him, and he always gave them his best. He will be missed.”
Bonnar played a pivotal role in popularizing the UFC and bringing it to the mainstream. In 2005, during The Ultimate Fighter, he participated in his first season and fought against Forrest Griffin.
Their match was at the center of attention, and the viewers were glued to the television, unwilling to miss a single moment of the fight. It was considered to be one of the best fights in history.
Bonnar recounted his experience of the fight, stating that it was an intense match. He described the entire venue as shaking when Griffin hit him, with fans starting to stomp on the ground.
During the second round of the match with Griffin, he had a realization, “‘oooh, this must be good.’”
Stephan Bonnar obituary
Stephan Bonnar was a celebrated UFC fighter who was inducted into the Hall of Fame. The UFC community was shocked to learn of Stephan Bonnar’s passing on Thursday, December 22, 2022.
Stephan was born on April 4, 1977, and he was well-known as an American professional wrestler and professional mixed martial artist.
He hailed from Indiana, and at the age of 10, he began wrestling. By the age of 12, he developed an interest in Tae Kwon Do and ventured into Brazilian Jiu-jitsu by the age of 22. He took up boxing at 24.
Later, he was steadfast in his decision to pursue a career in the UFC. His UFC career was illustrious, and he had the opportunity to compete against MMA stars such as Anderson Silva, Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida, Jon Jones, Mark Coleman, and Tito Ortiz.
His loved ones were deeply saddened by his passing. It is hoped that Stephan’s family will find the strength to endure this difficult time.
