Stephan Bonnar

Stephan Bonnar, whose fight with Forrest Griffin in the first The Ultimate Fighter finale remains one of the greatest in UFC history, died Thursday at 45.

Stephan Bonnar, UFC Hall of Famer best known for his bout against Forrest Griffin on season one of "The Ultimate Fighter," died Thursday at age 45.

I was jogging and someone in a pickup was going ‘Hey Bonnar.’ And everywhere you go, someone knows who you are. Bonnar is considered a pioneer for the UFC, as he made a name for himself on the first season of "The Ultimate Fighter." I was traveling with Tapout and we were in a small town. It was just a little hobby I was doing, so it changed everything. I was like ‘oooh, this must be good.’" "His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten.

"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 ...

Bonnar didn't match the heights of his first fight ever again, going just 8-7 in 15 fights with UFC. Nicknamed The American Psycho, Bonnar had a 13-year career in mixed martial arts from 2001-14. "His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten.

The UFC announced Bonnar's death on Saturday, and a separate law enforcement source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to MMA Fighting Bonnar died on Dec ...

[Forrest Griffin](https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/44/forrest-griffin). Bonnar and Griffin were inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in July 2013 for their fight. He made the show’s finals and fought The UFC announced Bonnar’s death on Saturday, and a separate law enforcement source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to MMA Fighting Bonnar died on Dec. Bonnar’s wife, Andrea Brown, posted on Facebook that the couple “lost everything” in the blaze. “His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten.

Stephan Bonnar, one half of one of the most legendary fights in UFC history is dead at age 45, the promotion announced Saturday.

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. [@StephanBonnar]was always a class act whenever I got a chance to talk to him. 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. But he was also SO kind and fun to work with. Stephan Bonnar—You had the heart of a thousand men. RIP to a great friend and Fighter. The first time I ever heard of mixed martial arts was when I was 14 and saw the first ultimate fighter. [December 24, 2022] We send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends. Many fighters, promoters, fans, and loved ones flocked to social media Saturday to mourn the loss of a UFC pioneer. In April 2022, Bonnar had more struggles outside the cage when [his house burned down](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/04/mma-news-ufc-hall-of-famer-stephan-bonnar-lost-everything-in-house-fire). Bonnar parted ways with the promotion after a failed drug test and claimed retirement.

“Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon,” UFC President Dana White said in a statement. “His fight with Forrest ...

Bonnar was a native of Indiana where he started wrestling at the age of 10. At the age of 24, he started boxing. And that was in the second round. It was his bout against Forrest Griffin that had fans glued to television screens which is regarded as one of the best fights of all time. “His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. We send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends,” the UFC announced on Instagram.