UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar Dumb at forty five: ‘He Will Be Uncared for,’ Dana White Says

Stephan Bonnar, a skilled wrestler and Final Combating Championship (UFC) Hall of Famer, has died. He became as soon as forty five.

Bonnar died from “presumed coronary heart complications while at work,” the UFC acknowledged in a data liberate on Saturday.

“Stephan Bonnar became as soon as one among the superb opponents to ever compete in the Octagon,” UFC President Dana White acknowledged in a statement.

“His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he might perhaps perchance well also no longer ever be forgotten,” he added. “The followers beloved him, connected to him and he continuously gave them his most productive. He’s going to be neglected.”

By no manner miss a story — imprint in for PEOPLE’s free day-to-day e-newsletter to keep up-to-date on the absolute most realistic of what PEOPLE has to present, from juicy celeb data to driving human ardour tales.

David Becker/WireImage

Bonnar first made a title for himself on season one among The Final Fighter in 2005, when he became as soon as pit in opposition to Forrest Griffin for the period of the present’s finale.

Described by the UFC as being “one among the superb fights of all-time,” the fight earned Bonnar a web page in the UFC Hall of Standing’s fight flit.

Must rep the superb tales from PEOPLE every weekday? Subscribe to our composed podcast, PEOPLE Every Day, to rep the very valuable celeb, leisure and human ardour data tales Monday thru Friday.

Within the years to practice, Bonnar would dawdle on to defeat other athletes among the many likes of James Irvin, Keith Jardine, Krzysztof Soszynski, Igor Pokrajac and Kyle Kingsbury, per the UFC.

Sooner than ending his occupation with a 17-9 story, he additionally faced fellow Hall of Famers Jon Jones, Rashad Evans, Mark Coleman, Anderson Silva and Tito Ortiz, the group added.

Felipe Dana/AP/Shutterstock

After data of his demise became as soon as made public, diverse stars paid tribute to Bonnar on social media.

“Stephan Bonner a key share to the insist of our sport,” retired UFC primary person Frankie Edgar tweeted. “I remember watching him and Wooded enviornment battling it out and thinking, I gotta keep that out. RIP to a right pioneer!”

“RIP to the American Pyscho, Stephan Bonnar. I remember watching him and Anderson Silva,” Jake Paul acknowledged.

“We lost a right story,” UFC commentator Joe Rogan wrote in an Instagram submit, at the side of that Bonnar will “no longer be forgotten.”