In response to the UFC, Bonner died of coronary heart issues whereas on the job.
Bonner and Griffin had been inducted into the UFC Corridor of Fame in 2013. The “Final Fighter” actuality sequence, and that combat specifically, was essential to touchdown and retaining the UFC on cable.
The Griffin vs. Bonner drama is about each males digging deep right into a bloody brawl, a sport that permits them to kind their very own identities in contrast to different martial arts similar to boxing. Griffin received the combat by unanimous determination and earned a six-figure UFC contract. Nonetheless, the combat was so good that UFC president Dana White additionally gave Bonner a contract.
“Stephan Bonner was one of the necessary fighters I’ve ever fought within the Octagon,” White advised UFC.com on Saturday. “His combat with Forrest Griffin will eternally change the game. He won’t ever be forgotten.The followers liked him, they’d a relationship with him, he all the time gave his greatest.He can be missed.”
Bonner, who hails from Hammond, Indiana, has lived in Las Vegas for a few years however hasn’t fought in MMA since 2014 when he fought Tito Ortiz underneath the Bellator banner. Bonner’s final look within the UFC was in 2012, when the best ever Anderson he misplaced to Silva. Previous to that match, Bonner had received three in a row.
After shedding to Griffin in “The Final Fighter” remaining, Bonner went on a three-game profitable streak earlier than additionally falling to future UFC Gentle Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans. They competed in a rematch of the identical combat, with Griffin profitable once more by unanimous determination. Griffin additionally received the UFC Gentle Heavyweight belt.
Throughout his profession, Bonner confronted seven future or former UFC champions: Griffin, Ortiz, Silva, Evans, Jon Jones, Yoshito Machida and Mark Coleman. Bonner named his eldest son Griffin after his most necessary rival who grew to become an in depth buddy.
Bonner, who completed his profession with a 15-9 document, spent a few years doing coloration commentary for WEC promotions and labored a number of instances as an MMA analyst for ESPN and Fox Sports activities.
Following his profession in MMA, Bonner took up skilled wrestling, making a number of appearances on Impression Wrestling in 2019.
