Stephan Bonnar, UFC Corridor of Famer, dies at 45

Muricas News  — 

Stephan Bonnar, the Final Preventing Championship Corridor of Famer who popularized the game within the finale combat of the primary season of “The Final Fighter” actuality present, died Thursday, the combined martial arts promoter introduced Saturday.

Bonnar died from “presumed coronary heart problems whereas at work,” the UFC mentioned in a information launch. He was 45.

“Stephan Bonnar was one of the necessary fighters to ever compete within the Octagon,” UFC President Dana White mentioned within the launch. “His combat with Forrest Griffin modified the game without end, and he won't ever be forgotten. The followers liked him, associated to him and he all the time gave them his finest. He will likely be missed.”

Bonnar’s three-round gentle heavyweight last bout towards Forrest Griffin in Las Vegas in 2005 saved the fledgling UFC, paving the way in which to the game’s reputation right now. The combat is within the firm’s Corridor of Fame combat wing, which acknowledges “the best, most memorable and traditionally necessary UFC bouts.”

Griffin received the epic match and was awarded a UFC contract. However the promotion additionally gave Bonnar a contract, too.

“I knew it was combat in the course of the combat,” Bonnar later mentioned, based on the discharge. “It hit me when everybody began stomping their ft and it felt like the entire place was shaking. And that was within the second spherical. I used to be like ‘oooh, this have to be good.’”

“Every part modified. I didn’t suppose I’d have a UFC profession,” he went on. “It was just a bit passion I used to be doing, so it modified all the pieces. Nearly in a single day, I turned like a star. In all places I went, somebody would acknowledge me, even in obscure locations.”

Often known as “The American Psycho,” Bonnar fought Corridor of Famers resembling Jon Jones, Rashad Evans, Anderson Silva, and Tito Ortiz throughout his seven-year gentle heavyweight profession.

The Hammond, Indiana, native completed with a 17-9 UFC document, defeating fighters resembling Krzysztof Soszynski, Igor Pokrajac, and James Irvin.