UFC legend Stephan Bonnar has died at the aged of 45.
The Hall of Famer passed away on Thursday with reports suggesting he died of heart complications. Bonnar is widely credited with sparking an explosion of interest in mixed martial arts thanks to his rivalry with Forrest Griffin.
The pair met in the final of The Ultimate Fighter in 2005 with the fight widely credited with rescuing what was a struggling promotion. Bonnar lost the light-heavyweight clash but recovered to win his next three fights in the UFC.
Bonnar won eight of his 15 fights in the UFC but lost to marque rivals in Anderson Silva and Jon Jones, while he also lost a rematch with Griffin. Bonnar also twice tested positive for banned substances, including after his final UFC bout against Silva.
He returned to the cage with Bellator in 2014 but was beaten by Tito Ortiz and did not fight again. Bonnar and Griffin had been elected to the UFC's Hall of Fame a year earlier.
UFC president Dana White said: "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, related to him and he always gave them his best. He will be missed."
Bonnar later turned his hand to professional wrestling and made several appearances for Impact Wrestling. But he also struggled with life after competing and was charged with driving under the influence in 2018
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His house burnt down earlier this year, destroying the building and his family's possessions. “Lost everything, house is done,” Bonnar said at the time. He leaves behind his wife Andrea and their 10-year-old son Griffin, named after his dad's rival.
UFC fighter Michael Chiesa was among those to pay tribute when he tweeted: "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."
YouTuber turned-boxer Jake Paul added: "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."
