Stephan Bonnar reportedly died of a heart complication while at work on December 22, 2022. He was 45.
Bonnar’s death was announced by UFC in a statement shared on Twitter on Saturday, December 24, 2022.
“The UFC family is saddened by the tragic passing of UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar Thursday from presumed heart complications while at work”.
“Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the octagon,” UFC President Dana White in a statement. “His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. The fans loved him, related to him, and he always gave them his best. He will be missed,” UFC wrote.
“The UFC family sends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Stephan Bonnar”, the statement read.
Stephan Patrick Bonnar was an American professional wrestler and professional mixed martial artist.
Born April 4, 1977 in Hammond, Indiana, Bonnar attended Munster High School and subsequently graduated from Purdue University in 2000, earning a degree in Sports Medicine.
Bonnar competed 26 times as a professional, with 15 UFC appearances and one for Bellator.
He made his professional debut in 2001, with his UFC debut eight fights later on. Bonnar entered the UFC at 7-1, and although he lost the fight to Griffin, he won his next three. A loss to Anderson Silva in a makeshift UFC 153 main event was his final bout for the promotion.
In addition to Griffin and Silva, Bonnar faced world champions Lyoto Machida, Tito Ortiz, Mark Coleman, Jon Jones, and Rashad Evans.
On October 30, 2012, UFC president Dana White announced that Bonnar has retired from MMA competition.
Following his retirement, he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame on July 6, 2013.
Stephan Bonnar finished his career with a 15-9 win-loss record.
He is survived by his wife Andrea Brown and son, Griffin Brandon.