UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar, who made history as a finalist on the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” has died. He was 45.
The UFC announced the news Saturday, Christmas Eve, and cited heart complications at work as the cause of Bonnar’s death, which occurred Thursday.
A legend in the world of mixed martial arts, “The American Psycho” Bonnar served as one half of the fight many credit with turning around a then-struggling UFC. Although he lost that bout at “The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale” against Forrest Griffin in April 2005, its impact was felt for generations to come. Eventually the bout was inducted into the Fight Wing of The UFC Hall of Fame in 2013.
“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.”
Bonnar competed 26 times as a professional, with 15 UFC appearances and one for Bellator. He made his pro debut in 2001, with his UFC debut eight fights later. Bonnar entered the UFC at 7-1, and although he lost the fight to Griffin, he won his next three.
He split his next four at 2-2 with losses to Rashad Evans and Griffin, and subsequent wins over Mark Nickals and Eric Schaefer. Bonnar then entered a three-fight skid with defeats to Jon Jones, Marc Coleman, and Krzysztof Soszynski. He won a rematch against Soszynski before defeating Igor Pokrajac and Kyle Kingsbury.
A loss to Anderson Silva in a makeshift UFC 153 main event was his final bout for the promotion. Bonnar parted ways with the promotion after a failed drug test and claimed retirement. However, he reentered competition to fight Tito Ortiz in Bellator in 2014 and lost by split decision.
Bonnar was in the headlines intermittently following his final MMA bout. In 2019, he competed for Impact Wrestling after a two-year build on the independent pro wrestling circuit. In 2020, Bonnar briefly reentered the MMA circuit as a cornerman for fellow TUF 1 contestant Diego Sanchez. In April 2022, Bonnar had more struggles outside the cage when his house burned down.
Throughout the MMA community, Bonnar was a beloved figure for his toughness and significance to the sport. Many fighters, promoters, fans, and loved ones flocked to social media Saturday to mourn the loss of a UFC pioneer.
Scroll below to see some of those reactions.
UFC
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
Jake Paul
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
Ariel Helwani
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
Renato Moicano
Rip legend Stephan Bonnar…. Sad year for the MMA community… #ufc #mma
— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) December 24, 2022
Aaron Bronsteter
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
Michael Chiesa
My condolences go out to Stephan Bonnar’s family. His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the landscape of the sport of MMA and pushed it to the next level. He’s a big part of the reason we are here today. https://t.co/NtGaVAN96M
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) December 24, 2022
Nolan King
Rest in peace, Stephan Bonnar. Your impact on MMA will be felt forever. pic.twitter.com/cwm6WdQ7hm
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) December 24, 2022
Nikolas Motta
Rest in piece legend https://t.co/MJqMpYfAZM
— Nikolas Motta (@nikolasmotta) December 24, 2022
Mike Bohn
Tragic news on Christmas Eve. Stephan Bonnar was a critical player in helping elevate the UFC into the the global powerhouse it is today. Let's never short change him of that contribution. R.I.P. ❤️ https://t.co/WZc26SdtI1
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) December 24, 2022
Lando Vannata
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 https://t.co/wjyMf4z4T9
— Lando Vannata (@GroovyLando) December 24, 2022
Michael Bisping
Heard about this early this morning. Truly a heartbreaking loss. So very sad. Thoughts are with his family. https://t.co/jXZLNKQBbf
— michael (@bisping) December 24, 2022
Kyle Nelson
The first time I ever heard of mixed martial arts was when I was 14 and saw the first ultimate fighter. That started the dream that led me to where I am today. The finale between Stephan and Forrest saved the UFC from going under. R.I.P pic.twitter.com/vtR9wkmxCF
— Kyle The Monster Nelson (@THE__MONSTER) December 24, 2022
Megan Anderson
Stephan Bonnar vs Forrest Griffin was the first mma fight I ever watched, and it completely changed my life.
It is so incredibly heartbreaking to hear the news of Stephan's passing. Another one gone too soon. My thoughts are with his family during this time 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/1wa2oz1s6H
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) December 24, 2022
John McCarthy
Very sad to hear about the passing of @StephanBonnar His fight with @ForrestGriffin helped jumpstart the @ufc into the mega promotion you see today. RIP Stephan. Your time here was way too short
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) December 24, 2022
Erik Koch
Adam Hunter
RIP to a great friend and Fighter. Stephan Bonnar—You had the heart of a thousand men. Really gonna miss you. pic.twitter.com/embkLIrOsG
— MMA Roasted (@MMARoasted) December 24, 2022
Ben Rothwell
Ohhhh man 😢
— Big Ben Rothwell (@RothwellFighter) December 24, 2022
Cody Durden
Rest In Peace to the man who helped keep the sport alive! Prayers up for your friends, and family! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/07XsCvUIn5
— Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) December 24, 2022
Megan Olivi
As all MMA fans know, Stephan was a pioneer in the sport. But he was also SO kind and fun to work with. Whenever we would see him, even after his fight career, he still lit up the room. Prayers for him & his loved ones at this difficult time. https://t.co/dMSUuBczdt
— Megan Olivi (@MeganOlivi) December 24, 2022
Simon Samano
“Presumed heart complications” at 45. Damn, sad news.
Stephan Bonnar may very well be the most important fighter in UFC history to never win a UFC title as one half of the iconic TUF 1 finale with Forrest Griffin. He was as tough as they come.
May he Rest in Peace. 🙏🏽 https://t.co/XyjYmHoJsH
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 24, 2022
Cat Zingano
😔 RIP legend pic.twitter.com/fIXZtesyAP
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) December 24, 2022
Cub Swanson
Cody Garbrandt
Anthony Pettis
Jake Shields
Unreal That I’ve lost another friend this year
You will be missed brother #rip pic.twitter.com/SohdDTINts
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) December 25, 2022
Jessica Eye
Belal Muhammad
Arnold Allen
Chris Leben
Mark Coleman
Cyrus Fees
Josh Matthews
Very sad news to see this evening. @StephanBonnar was always a class act whenever I got a chance to talk to him. Loved talking wrestling and MMA with him. https://t.co/ULyhYZPSYB
— Josh Mathews (@realjoshmathews) December 24, 2022
Joanna Jedrzejczyk
RIP💔
Legends never die https://t.co/yxjgLor0zr— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) December 25, 2022
Jon Anik
Crushed. 💔 https://t.co/XtN1ynoqHp
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) December 25, 2022
Calvin Kattar
Rest in peace to a pioneer of the sport🙏🏼❤️ https://t.co/Q6LSU12ddw
— Calvin Kattar (@CalvinKattar) December 25, 2022
Billy Quarantillo
RIP Stephan Bonner one of the most influential fighters in ufc history, his fight with Forrest and TUF season 1 was a big reason i got into mma #legend https://t.co/dHNTTARfaj
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) December 25, 2022
Caposa
Some hyperbole and myths persist about Bonnar-Griffin. What's undeniable is the pivotal role it played helping to usher in the 'UFC on Spike' era, which in turn altered the sport forever. This is really sad to hear. RIP to the American Psycho https://t.co/ziw48kezd9
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 25, 2022
Adrian Yanez
😔 all these legends passing away.. rip 🙏🏽 https://t.co/2Bg1GVXZIa
— Adrian Yañez (@yanezmma) December 25, 2022
Alan Jouban
RIP brotha. 🙏🏼 https://t.co/oTW7Lep4rH
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) December 25, 2022
Kenny Florian
Stephan Bonnar, you were one of the toughest & funniest guys I’ve ever met. You passed way too soon but accomplished so much in a short amount of time. You helped change this sport forever, inspired a whole generation of fighters & your impact will always be remembered. 💔 pic.twitter.com/LyYA5FzRmG
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) December 25, 2022
Abbey Subhan
Stephan Bonnar appreciation post.
R.I.P 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/7O58MI8fwd— Abbey Subhan (@kammakaze) December 25, 2022
