UFC Corridor of Famer Stephan Bonner, recognized within the Octagon as the last word underdog, died Saturday. he was 45 years outdated.
Bonner died of presumed coronary heart problems whereas on the job, in line with the UFC, which introduced his dying.
2013 UFC Corridor of Fame inductees Bonner and Forrest Griffin are credited with serving to the UFC and combined martial arts as an entire obtain mainstream notoriety after their combat on the truth present The Final Fighter . Bonner, who fought Griffin within the last match of the truth program’s first season, delivered a unanimous resolution in a ferocious, bloody combat that encapsulated the awe-inspiring and attention-grabbing nature of his MMA combating on the high of the category. misplaced.
Griffin was named the 2005 UFC Struggle of the Yr and earned a six-figure contract from a brawl thought of one of many biggest MMA fights of all time, however UFC president Dana White mentioned Bonner’s efficiency Very impressed. He additionally signed a contract with American Psycho.
“Stephen Bonner was one of the vital fighters to ever combat within the Octagon,” White mentioned in an announcement launched by the UFC. “His combat with Forrest Griffin modified the game endlessly. “He won’t ever be forgotten. The followers cherished him, that they had a relationship with him, he at all times gave his greatest. He shall be missed.”
Bonner fought one other seven years after Griffin’s combat, most notably resulting in the choice to unanimously defeat two-time UFC Gentle Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones at UFC 94 in 2009. , Tito Ortiz, Anderson Silva.
He has gained three of his final 5 fights, together with lastly profitable the finals in “The Final Fighter” when he defeated Igor Pokrajak within the present’s twelfth season.
Bonner completed 15-9 general and retired from the UFC in 2012 and Bellator in 2014 after one combat. Additionally in 2019 Influence he spent a while in wrestling. The battle with Oritsu at Bellator 131 grew to become the headline of probably the most watched card within the firm’s historical past. time for that conclusion.
