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Stephan Bonnar, a UFC Hall of Famer recognized for being the last word underdog within the Octagon, died Saturday. He was 45 years previous.
Bonnar died of presumed coronary heart problems whereas at work, based on UFC, which introduced his dying.
Both inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2013, Bonnar and Forrest Griffin are credited for serving to UFC — and blended martial arts as a complete — achieve mainstream notoriety following their battle on “The Ultimate Fighter” actuality present. Battling Griffin within the remaining bout of the fact program’s first season, Bonnar misplaced a unanimous choice in a livid bloody battle that encapsulated the awe-inspiring and attention-grabbing nature of top-tier MMA combating.
While Griffin gained a six-figure contract from the brawl, which was named the UFC Fight of the Year in 2005 and is basically thought-about probably the greatest MMA fights of all time, UFC president Dana White was so impressed with Bonnar’s efficiency that “The American Psycho” was additionally awarded a contract.
“Stephan Bonnar was probably the most necessary fighters to ever compete within the Octagon,” mentioned White in an announcement launched by UFC. “His battle with Forrest Griffin modified the game without end, and he won’t ever be forgotten. The followers beloved him, associated to him and he at all times gave them his greatest. He can be missed.”
Bonnar fought for seven extra years after the Griffin bout, notably taking two-time UFC mild heavyweight champion Jon Jones to a choice that Jones gained unanimously at UFC 94 in 2009. Bonnar fought a number of different fellow Hall of Famers, together with Mark Coleman, Rashad Evans, Tito Ortiz and Anderson Silva.
He gained three of his final 5 fights, together with lastly capturing a remaining on “The Ultimate Fighter” when he beat Igor Pokrajac on the present’s twelfth season.
Bonnar completed with a 15-9 general report, retiring from UFC in 2012 and Bellator after one battle in 2014. He additionally spent a while with Impact Wrestling in 2019. His battle with Oritz at Bellator 131 headlined the most-watched card in firm historical past on the time of its conclusion.
