Who Is The Hall Of Fame UFC Stephan Bonnar Who Dies At The Age Of 45

Stephan Bonnar (Instagram @stephanbonnar)

JAKARTA - UFC fighter Stephan Bonnar passed away this weekend at the age of 45. Bonnar breathed his last while working with suspected heart complications.

Bonnar was inducted into the Hall of Fame UFC in 2013. He was involved in an unforgettable battle against Forrest Griffin at the end of the first season of 'The Ultimate Fighter' in 2005. The fight is considered one of the most extraordinary duels in the promotional history.

The series 'The Ultimate Fighter' and the fight, in particular, played an important role in landing and keeping the UFC on cable TV. The drama Griffin versus Bonnar, where the two got into a bloody fight, has long been an example of what MMA's sport would be like, allowing it to form its own identity separate from other combat sports such as boxing.

Griffin won the fight unanimously and got a six-point contract with the UFC. But the fight was so good that UFC president Dana White also awarded Bonnar a contract.

"Stephan Bonnar is one of the most important fighters to have competed in the Octagon," White said in a statement, citing Maraca on Monday.

His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten.

"The fans love him, related to him and he always gives his best. He will be missed."

Apart from Forrest Griffin, in the past, Bonnar has faced Hall of Famers candidate Ramad Evans, Mark Coleman, Anderson Silva and Tito Ortiz, and three former UFC champions at Jon Jones, and Lyoto Machida.

Bonnar named his first son Griffin which of course came from the name of his biggest competitor, who later became his best friend.

The fighter finished his career with a record 15-9, and after retiring he was a commentator for years for WEC promotions and worked several times as an MMA analyst for ESPN and FOX Sports.