Stephan Bonnar

“Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon,” White told UFC.com on Saturday. “His fight with Forrest Griffin changed ...

Follow us on [also read] [Sports](https://www.firstpost.com/category/sports) [UFC 229: Impressive Khabib Nurmagomedov extends winning run as Conor McGregor fails to shake off ring rust](https://www.firstpost.com/sports/ufc-229-impressive-khabib-nurmagomedov-extends-winning-run-as-conor-mcgregor-fails-to-shake-off-ring-rust-5334901.html) He also did colour commentary for the WEC and was an MMA analyst for TV channels ESPN and Fox Sports. He finished his career with a record of 15-9 (W-L). “His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. Bonnar was pivotal to UFC success back 2005 with his fight against Forrest Griffin gaining popularity during the first season of ‘The Ulitmate Fighter’. Griffin won that fight by a unanimous verdict which also won him a six-year contract.

“Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon,” White told UFC.com on Saturday. “His fight with Forrest Griffin changed ...

Both Griffin and Bonnar were inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2013. “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.

The 45-year-old played an instrumental role in growing UFC with his 2005 fight against Forrest Griffin during the first season of the 'The Ultimate Fighter.

His battle with Forrest Griffin changed the game perpetually, and he won't ever be neglect.

His battle with Forrest Griffin changed the game perpetually, and he won’t ever be neglect. Bonnar is view as a trailblazer for the UFC, as he became well known on the primary time of A definitive Contender. The fans adored him, connected with him and he generally did his absolute best with them. His battle with Forrest Griffin changed the scene of the game of MMA and pushed it to a higher level. His battle with Forrest Griffin changed the game everlastingly, and he won’t ever be neglect. The fans adored him, connected with him and he generally did the best that he can with them.

The American fought icons such as Anderson Silva, Jon Jones and Rashad Evans across an eight-year career in the UFC.

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.

Former champions, TUF vets, commentators and other MMA fighters reacted to Stephan Bonnar's death.

But he was also SO kind and fun to work with. As all MMA fans know, Stephan was a pioneer in the sport. [https://t.co/yxjgLor0zr] [December 25, 2022] [https://t.co/Q6LSU12ddw] [December 25, 2022] [https://t.co/2Bg1GVXZIa] [December 25, 2022] He’s a big part of the reason we are here today.— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) RIP to a true pioneer!— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) Stephan Bonner a key piece to the growth of our sport. One of the most genuine and solid human beings I’ve ever met. [https://t.co/J28htUPPYH] [December 25, 2022] One half of what was credited to be the fight that saved the UFC, Bonnar clearly made an impact with so many in the industry. [https://t.co/jXZLNKQBbf] [December 24, 2022]

UFC Hall of Famer 'The American Psycho' is no more. The 45-year-old reportedly died because of some heart complications.

Do you have any favorite moments? Do you remember watching Stephan Bonnar fight? The back-and-forth fight between Bonnar and Griffin captured fans’ attention and UFC happened. [Bonnar said things that made it look like he knew he was close to death](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92yYu2ZTuWQ). Bonnar had made an emotional video before his death. ADVERTISEMENT

His fight vs Forrest Griffin in the 2005 Ultimate Fighter finale changed MMA and the UFC forever. UFC President Dana White released the following statement: “ ...

RIP to one of the most important figures in the explosion of MMA. Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin engaged in a battle on Spike TV in 2005 that was so wild, and so entertaining that it changed the course of the UFC and the sport of Mixed Martial Arts forever. The fans loved him, related to him and he always gave them his best.

Stephan Bonnar died from 'presumed heart complications while at work' at age 45, the UFC said in a news release on Saturday.

RIP to a true pioneer!" "I remember watching him and Forest battling it out and thinking, I gotta try this out. He will be missed." "The fans loved him, related to him and he always gave them his best. "Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon," UFC President Dana White said in a statement. [presumed heart complications while at work](https://www.ufc.com/news/stephan-bonnar-1977-2022)," the UFC said in a news release on Saturday.

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.

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.

Former fighter Stephan Bonnar, who played a significant role in the UFC's growth into the dominant promotion in mixed martial arts, has died, UFC announced.

“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.

Stephen Bonnar, who helped popularize UFC in the first season of "The Ultimate Fighter" in 2005, died Thursday. He was 45.

And that was in the second round. I was like 'oooh, this must be good.'" He will be missed."

UFC Hall of Famer and The Ultimate Fighter alum Stephan Bonnar died Dec. 22 from presumed heart complications, the organization shared.

"Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon," UFC President Dana White said in a statement Dec. News App](https://eonline.onelink.me/ItsS/1b3e9f57) Those fans fell in love with Bonnar back in 2005 during the first season of The Ultimate Fighter. According to the [organization](https://www.ufc.com/news/stephan-bonnar-1977-2022), his cause of death is from presumed heart complications while he was at work. [Mike Goldberg](https://twitter.com/GoldieOnTV/status/1606887375975895040) tweeted after Bonnar's death, "a loyal friend with a great sense of humor who once took over an entire floor of our hotel in Australia preparing his own kangaroo meal! 22 at age 45](https://www.eonline.com/photos/33755/celebrity-deaths-2022s-fallen-stars).

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.

UFC Hall of Famer and The Ultimate Fighter alum Stephan Bonnar died Dec. 22 from presumed heart complications, the organization shared.

Former fighter Stephan Bonnar, who played a significant role in the UFC's growth into the dominant promotion in mixed martial arts, has died, UFC announced.

“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.

UFC president Dana White released a statement saying,” Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon. His fight with ...

The winner was to be awarded a UFC contract, and even though he lost the bout that night, he was awarded a contract as well. Bonnar was one half of the fight White has credited many times over as the one bout that saved the UFC and changed the sport. His fight with Forrest Griffin changes the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten.

UFC announced in a statement that Bonnar died Thursday from “presumed heart complications while at work.” He was a contestant in 2005 on the first season of ...

“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.

The wrestling world has joined the world of MMA in paying tribute to former UFC star Stephan Bonnar after his death aged 45.

We offer our deepest condolences to his friends and family at this difficult time. Everyone who saw that fight will always remember where they were that night. He'll be remembered the most for the fight with Forrest Griffin. [December 25, 2022] Griffin won the bout via unanimous decision but such was the performance of both men that UFC boss Dana White offered runner-up Stephan Bonnar a UFC contract on the spot. Bonnar stepped into the Octagon with Forrest Griffin in the light heavyweight final to earn a UFC contract and it is no exaggeration to say what followed changed the course of UFC history.