The MMA community was completely shocked by Stephan Bonnar’s unexpected death. Online tributes to the Ultimate Fighter 1 finalist and UFC Hall of Famer, who passed away at age 45, came in from current and former fighters. Learn more about his passing and Stephan Bonnar cause of death in detail.
What happened to Stephan Bonnar?
Stephan Bonnar, a member of the UFC Hall of Fame who made history by competing on the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” has passed away. He was 45.
Many referred to Bonnar as a key figure in the development of the sport; many believe that the UFC’s victory over Forrest Griffin at The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale saved the organization at a time when it was in financial trouble.
The UFC family is saddened by the passing of UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar. We send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
— UFC (@ufc) December 24, 2022
Stephan Bonnar cause of death
The news was revealed by the UFC on Saturday, Christmas Eve, and Bonnar’s death, which happened on Thursday, was attributed to cardiac issues at work. Just 45 years old, the UFC Hall of Famer has faced tremendous struggles since losing his home to a fire and dealing with a bad Staph infection.
“The American Psycho” Bonnar, a legend in the mixed martial arts community, was one part of the bout that many believe helped the UFC, which was struggling at the time, turn things around. Even though he lost to Forrest Griffin in that match at “The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale” in April 2005, its effects were felt for years to come. In 2013, the contest was eventually added to the UFC Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing.
UFC’s Statement
| UFC family is saddened by the tragic passing of UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar Thursday from presumed heart complications while at work. He was 45. “Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon,” said UFC President Dana White. “His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. The fans loved him and related to him and he always gave them his best. He will be missed.” |
Previous Illness History
Veteran UFC fighter Stephan Bonnar is struggling. Bonnar had a well-publicized breakdown earlier in 2021, which led to a heated argument with police officers at a neighboring hospital.
At the time, many believed Bonnar struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. While this might or might not be the case, it was later found that Bonnar was in excruciating pain due to a severe staph infection.
After that, Bonnar spent about a month in the hospital. Doctors discovered septic abscesses on both sides of the fractured neck vertebrae he claimed sustained during a professional wrestling encounter while the patient was hospitalized.
After the therapy, Bonnar expressed his desire to work a regular job and put his health problems behind him. The home of the Bonnar family in Henderson, Nevada, was destroyed in late March. The outcome was originally confirmed by TMZ.
Bonnar Disclosing Details About Hospital Incident (Sep-2021)
In a series of videos posted to Instagram, Bonnar says that the pharmacist won’t fill his prescription for hydrocodone and tramadol and that his prescription for the moderate opioid oxycodone has run out (two prescriptions that were written by his primary care physician).
After major pharmaceutical corporations like Purdue Pharma were explicitly linked to having a significant impact on addiction and physical dependence, the U.S. recently tightened regulations on prescription opioids.
According to the interview, “The American Psycho” was taking daily meds for an arthritic knee but supplemented when other conditions started to make his pain tolerance unmanageable.
Bonnar’s Interview: What he shared?
In the interview, Steven Marrocco from MMA Fighting asked Bonnar directly if he used prescription drugs too often. The UFC Hall of Famer gave a somewhat harsh response.
Are you kidding me, man? Let me f*cking fracture your lumbar vertebrae, break your wrist, f*ck up your shoulder, and see how you feel in two weeks when you’re using crutches, he added. “Come on, man. I’m being completely sincere here. Have you got a problem? Screw you. That is what I’m referring to. stated Bonnar.
Medical practitioners continued to cause Bonnar problems. The 205-pound former legend confirms that he visited the ER to get a prescription for painkillers. Bonnar had the best of intentions, thinking that if he was honest about his excessive intake, he would be given another dose of medication for his injured back and wrist. That did not occur.
Now that he is back at home, Bonnar acknowledges that his pain is still as severe as it was before the ER visit and lets everyone know that he was never detained. It’s difficult to understand what exactly is going on with Bonnar and the way he chooses to handle his chronic pain because of underlying issues that affect the lives of so many people.
The growth of the UFC’s North American market was greatly aided by Stephan Bonnar. After an enduring performance by Bonnar and Forrest Griffin in 2006, the sport took off like wildfire. Bonnar was always a must-watch fighter because of his eagerness to fight.
After reading about Bonnar’s problems, one can only hope that fighters and boxers alike will be provided with a more comprehensive healthcare plan, or at the very least treated in a way that prevents circumstances like this from occurring.
GoFundMe campaign for Stephan Bonnar (April 2022 reports)
UFC veteran Stephan Bonnar sets up a GoFundMe after losing his home in a fire. The MMA world comes together to surpass Stephan Bonnar’s GoFundMe goal, a UFC Hall of Famer. The MMA scene has once more responded to Stephan Bonnar’s struggle, who is a UFC Hall of Famer.
Last Friday, a two-alarm fire in Henderson, Nevada, completely burned Bonnar’s home, and according to his wife, “we lost everything.” There was no mention of whether Bonnar’s residence had fire insurance, and the fire is still under investigation.
In a post on Instagram on Saturday, Bonnar noted that the fire was still obstinately rekindling within the house. On Tuesday of this week, a GoFundMe campaign was started, and by Friday, it had already raised more than half of its $10,000 USD target. The donation total as of Sunday night and this writing is over $12,500 USD ($12,695 USD precisely).
The payments keep coming in. Some significant contributions include $4,000 USD from Tyron Woodley, $250 USD from Chael Sonnen, $1,500 USD from Steve Cantrell, and $1,000 USD from Chuck Zito. 2013 saw the UFC Hall of Fame induct Bonnar and Forrest Griffin.
Stephan Bonnar’s Biography
American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist Stephan Patrick Bonnar died on December 24, 2022 (April 4, 1977). For most of his career, Bonnar fought in the UFC as a Light Heavyweight.
The Ultimate Fighter 1’s TUF Ultimate Finale, in which Bonnar lost to Forrest Griffin, is regarded as one of the most significant contests in UFC history.
Bonnar played the “role of the underdog” for most of his MMA career; his battle with Anderson Silva at UFC 153 is a prime example of this.
The world champions Lyoto Machida, Tito Ortiz, Mark Coleman, Jon Jones, and Rashad Evans were among the opponents for Bonnar in addition to Griffin and Silva.
Bonnar was reared in Munster, Indiana, and attended Munster High School after being born in Hammond, Indiana. Bonnar had a rich history in combat sports, starting with wrestling at the age of 10, Tae Kwon Do at the age of 12, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at the age of 22, and then adding boxing and muay thai at the age of 24.
At the age of 16, he received his black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He also won the Super Heavyweight Golden Gloves Championship twice. He attended Purdue University, where he received his degree in Sports Medicine, and graduated in 2000.
In the summer of 1999, Bonnar started learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the famous Carlson Gracie, under whom he earned his purple belt just before Carlson passed away. He was given the moniker Robocop while he was a Carlson Gracie trainee. Due to his experience, the majority of his fights have ended in submission.
Last time, Stephan studied Brazilian jiu-jitsu with Master Sergio Penha in Las Vegas. Nevertheless, during multiple travels to Thailand, he also received Muay Thai training. Bonnar has been studying Muay Thai with Master One Kick Nick Blomgren at One Kick’s Gym in Las Vegas since the beginning of 2010.
Hall of Fame for UFC
Forrest Griffin announced his retirement shortly after Dana White revealed that Brock Bonnar and Griffin would be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. On July 6, 2013, Bonnar and Griffin received their official induction.
MMA Bellator
In an apparent comeback from retirement, Bellator announced on August 27, 2014, that they had signed Bonnar to a multi-fight contract. At Bellator 131 on November 15, 2014, Bonnar fought Tito Ortiz and lost by a split decision. After that, Bonnar took another retirement.
Personal life of Bonnar
On October 30, 2009, Bonnar and his lifelong partner were wed in Tuscany, Italy. Griffin Brandon, the couple’s only child, was given the Forrest Griffin name in honor of Andrea’s late brother, Brandon Brown.
The Who enthusiast Bonnar used their song “Eminence Front” as the background music for his UFC match entrances. Outside of competition, Bonnar has worked as a color commentator for televised mixed martial arts programming, most notably calling five of the WEC’s last seven cards in 2010.
Additionally, he has appeared as an analyst for the Fox television network’s UFC broadcasts as well as the ESPN2 series MMA Live.
Bonnar was named the president of North Star Combat, a Minnesota-based MMA company after he retired from mixed martial arts.
Bonnar was taken into custody and charged with DUI in Nevada on October 28. The Nevada highway patrol got numerous reports at about 1:15 p.m. that Bonnar was seen driving erratically and making unsafe lane changes in a red Cadillac that belonged to him.
When the NHP arrived on the scene, they saw that Bonnar had his hands bound and suspended from the handles on either side of his inside automobile.
He allegedly tried to flee the site of the collision, forcing the on-scene pedestrians to “hog-tie” him to the wrecked car. The entire conversation was captured on the responding officer’s body camera and broadcast on season four of the television program PD Cam.
Additionally, according to the police, they could smell alcohol inside Bonnar’s car and on Bonnar’s breath. Upon being detained, Bonnar resisted the officers’ demands and had to be carried and laid inside the patrol car’s backseat. After that, he was brought to the Clark County prison facility where he was accused of DUI and resisting arrest.
PEOPLE’S REACTION TO BONNAR’S TRAGIC DEMISE NEWS
Bonnar was adored by the MMA community for his fortitude and contribution to the sport. On Saturday, a lot of UFC veterans and their supporters took to social media to express their condolences. View a few of those responses by scrolling down below.
RIP Stephan Bonnar – UFC Hall of Famer and one half of one of the most iconic fights in UFC history https://t.co/qS5QZev9uX
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) December 24, 2022
Horrible news. Not hyperbole to state that without Stephan Bonnar’s contributions on TUF 1 (and the finale) the sport isn’t what it is today. He will forever be an extremely important part of MMA history.
May he rest in peace. https://t.co/32e0wIr3fj
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 24, 2022
RIP to the American Pyscho, Stephan Bonnar. I remember watching him and Anderson Silva.
From what I’ve read, without him and Forrest Griffin, UFC may have not made it.
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) December 24, 2022
Rip legend Stephan Bonnar…. Sad year for the MMA community… #ufc #mma
— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) December 24, 2022
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Lavanya (Senior Editor) is a full-time content writer with almost 5 years of experience and a part-time teacher. She joined Medico Topics on the Breaking News trainee scheme in 2022 and now works on MedicoTopics.com. As a lifelong learner, She is constantly curious about learning new things and passionate about sharing knowledge with people through her writing and teaching.