'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABiAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwcQAAIBAwUAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAEDBAACBgUHERIhFCJRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEBREBAAICAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIRABIEE0Eh/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDNNK25SjHdAyXvGETGly409NiujJZU8gfouHPvJINVlbPZTNlPkplxVqc29llnzWfW288geoNKUGd96WhpH19XLWycOLRfdIuh+EI5/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Anthony Smith has discussed the tragic passing of UFC veteran Stephan Bonnar.
Christmas Eve brought devastating news for MMA fans as Bonnar passed away at 45 years old. ‘The American Psycho’ solidified his legacy against Forrest Griffin in The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 Finale. Griffin emerged victorious, but both fighters became instant legends after a wild fight that Dana White claimed saved the UFC from financial ruin.
During an episode of the Believe You Me podcast, Smith had this to say about Bonnar:
“He obviously [Stephan Bonnar] meant a lot to the sport, to the UFC, and kind of our history after that. I tell people all the time, this sport can change your life and give you the ability to live a life you never could’ve otherwise. On the flip side, it can ruin and take everything from you. This sport probably took way more from Stephan Bonnar than it gave him… The sport took a lot from him, he didn’t get a lot back.”
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Bonnar had his ups and downs in life. The UFC Hall-of-Famer made headlines in 2018 for a DUI arrest and in 2021 for a concerning video in the hospital. With that said, plenty of people in the MMA community have positive stories to share that reveal the true character of ‘The American Psycho'.
Watch Anthony Smith discuss Stephan Bonnar's passing below:
Anthony Smith reflects on MMA legends starting to reach older ages
Stephan Bonnar’s tragic passing comes only a month after Anthony Johnson died at the age of 38.
The UFC is closing in on their 30-year anniversary. As a result, a new generation is starting to replace the pioneers of MMA. During the same podcast episode, Anthony Smith had this to say:
“I had a couple of interactions with Stephan. Nothing super serious. We weren’t obviously close or anything like that. It makes me sad. We’re getting to the point in MMA where we’re losing some of these legends. The sport is getting older, and those legends get older along with it. It’s not like he was old…”
Bonnar and Johnson will always be remembered for their contributions to MMA. We extend our deepest condolences to their families.
