Former UFC fighter and “TUF Nations” winner Elias Theodorou has died.
Theodorou died Sunday after a battle with cancer. Sources who knew Theodorou confirmed his death to MMA Junkie after various reports surfaced online. He was 34.
According to a statement from his family on Instagram, Theodorou was diagnosed with colon cancer. Theodorou hadn’t publicly revealed his illness prior to his death.
He passed peacefully at home with his family and loved ones in his corner after a hard-fought fight with colon cancer that metastasized.
He faced his end as he lived his life eternally, irrationally, and infectiously optimistic.
It’s impossible to capture every facet or all of his accomplishments in a simple post so to “make it a long story short”
There will be a public viewing from 5-9pm Wednesday, September 14th at Vescios Funeral Home, 8101 Weston Road in Woodbridge, Ontario.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Elias’ two foundations, Theodorou Foundation & Higher Access. Both of these were founded to help others facing barriers accessing hospital support and medical cannabis, without the resources that Elias was blessed with.
Prior to his death, Theodorou asked his family to launch two nonprofits with the mission to help people with chronic illnesses get the treatment resources they need. A GoFundMe was launched Monday to assist with these efforts.
From 2014 to 2019, Ontario’s Theodorou competed 11 times in the UFC. His career in the international spotlight kickstarted when he won “TUF Nations” with a knockout of Sheldon Westcott. He went on to defeat names like Cezar Ferreira, Sam Alvey, Eryk Anders, and Trevor Smith. His only three promotional losses came against contenders Thiago Santos, Brad Tavares, and Derek Brunson.
After the loss to Brunson in May 2019, Theodorou was released from the UFC. Despite Theodorou’s successful UFC record of 8-3, promotion president Dana White said the decision to part ways was based on the unlikelihood Theodorou would become a top-five fighter.
Theodorou took his release in stride and vowed to reinvent himself to increase his finish rate. He went 3-0 after his departure, with his most recent win over Bryan Baker last December.
In the later years of his career, Theodorou became a vocal advocate for de-stigmatizing and allowing medical cannabis use for fighters. In January 2020, he became the first professional athlete to receive a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for it.
Theodorou also served as a “ring boy” for Invicta FC and was featured on “The Amazing Race Canada,” Season 3 in 2015.
Aaron Bronsteter
Sadly, a representative of Elias Theodorou has confirmed earlier reports that he has passed away at age 34.
Theodorou was privately battling Stage 4 liver cancer and had only told a select group of people of his diagnosis.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) September 12, 2022
Elias Theodorou
A member of the @InvictaFights family has sadly passed from his battle with cancer. Our sincere condolences to his friends and family. Elias was truly a kind, humble and charismatic personality who will be missed greatly by all. #RingBoy pic.twitter.com/20nkgnLZgU
— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) September 12, 2022
Caposa
Awful, completely shocking news. Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Elias Theodorou. You truly never know the battles people are fighting. RIP https://t.co/EWPj7bqQgd
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 12, 2022
Dan Ige
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) September 12, 2022
Adam Hunter
RIP to one of the best people I’ve ever met…Elias Theodorou. Incredible Fighter, Friend, Role Model, Ring-Boy and Athlete. Gone way too soon. This guy was such a bright light. pic.twitter.com/jKwhdMeOYp
— MMA Roasted (@MMARoasted) September 12, 2022
Michael Chiesa
Hearing the news about @EliasTheodorou. It’s hard to believe right now 💔 #RIP
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) September 12, 2022
Rest In Peace my friend. @EliasTheodorou pic.twitter.com/r51KnalsHL
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) September 12, 2022
Fight Network
We are sad to hear of the passing of Elias Theodorou.
A great friend of the Fight Network family, and one of the most beloved personalities. He will truly be missed. pic.twitter.com/BpgbxBCN4B— Fight Network (@fightnet) September 12, 2022
Marcel Dorff
R.I.P. Elias Theodorou….I'm lost for words 😥#TheManeEvent pic.twitter.com/ke5lVJv7Ak
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) September 12, 2022
Luke Thomas
Devastating news. https://t.co/G2ro3mNV1R
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) September 12, 2022
Dana White
UFC President Dana White make his tribute to TUF Nation Winner Elias Theodorou who passed away by câncer today. pic.twitter.com/XUcupuy1uM
— Bruno Massami (Бруно Массами) (@BrMassami) September 12, 2022
Gurdarshan Mangat
RIP @EliasTheodorou … Grateful for the moments we had . Such a bright light gone way to soon 🕊❤️ pic.twitter.com/alvxX4dEjC
— Gurdarshan “Saint Lion” Mangat (@saintlion) September 12, 2022
Serena DeJesus
I'm at a loss for words. He was a sweetheart and it was always wonderful to see him at Invicta.
Rest in peace @EliasTheodorou 🙏🥺 https://t.co/saUAp0TQd9
— Serena DeJesus (@SerenaSouthpaw) September 12, 2022
Roxanne Modafferi
Simon Samano
So sad to hear of Elias Theodorou’s death just now. We sometimes like to shine a light on “one of the good guys” of MMA, and he sure seemed to fit that bill with his positive attitude and the way he carried himself. May he Rest In Peace. 🙏🏽 https://t.co/fa2gDdywu9
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) September 12, 2022
Kelvin Gastelum
Horrible news to see, Canada lost a great one 🇨🇦
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) September 12, 2022
Casey O'Neill
Rest In Peace 🙏 https://t.co/ZgVpORWClL
— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) September 12, 2022
Sodiq Yusuff
🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 https://t.co/GvwkZuDghR
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) September 12, 2022
Mike Rhodes
— Mike "Biggie" Rhodes (@TeamRocBiggie) September 12, 2022
Miesha Tate
Damn #RIP 🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/xTTJY1Kjrg
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) September 12, 2022
Pearl Gonzalez
— PEARL GONZALEZ (@PearlGonzalez) September 12, 2022
Julian Marquez
Woah! R.I.P 🙏🏽 https://t.co/h76MFqfe7P
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) September 12, 2022
Megan Olivi
Such sad news. May he Rest In Peace. https://t.co/bDBzIe8Q52
— Megan Olivi (@MeganOlivi) September 12, 2022
Will Harris
Honestly I’m at a loss for words. I’ve had such a good time with @eliastheodorou shooting and Telling his story. I’m sad as fuck to lose a guy in this MMA community who I looked as a comrade. I’m broken-hearted 💔🙏🏾 Rest Easy E… #restinpeace #eliastheodoru #friend #mma pic.twitter.com/rXcTz7FkZz
— Anatomy of a Fighter (@WillHarrisAOAF) September 12, 2022
Promoter Rick Garcia
Matthew Wells
One of the nicest guys I had the pleasure of meeting while covering this wild sport. RIP. https://t.co/hjKzOq9s6L
— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) September 12, 2022
Javid Basharat
This is so sad , I met him at Xtreme Couture and he was such a nice guy I had no idea he had cancer 😞
— Javid Basharat (@JavidBasharat) September 12, 2022
Tanner Boser
Oh man, It’s so sad to hear about Elias Theodorou. May he Rest In Peace.
— Tanner Boser (@BulldozerBoser) September 12, 2022
Jessica Moran (Theodorou representative)
Life is not fair.
— Jessica Moran (@JessMMMoran) September 12, 2022
Angela Hill
I’m shocked, rip. https://t.co/H8hSrIQXsQ
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) September 12, 2022
Chris Curtis
Took a nap to wake up and find out Elias Theodorou has passed. Way to young. You will be missed my guy. #LONGLIVETHESPARTAN
— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) September 12, 2022
Bryan Baker (Theodorou's final MMA opponent)
Kevin Iole
Oh my Lord, just saw the horrible news that Elias Theodorou has passed away at only 34. He was an amazing and kind person. Just devastated to hear this. Rest in peace.
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) September 12, 2022
Justin van Heerden
@EliasTheodorou wherever you are now my guy, they are in for the Mane Event ❤️ #FlyHighBigBro
— Justin Van Heerden (@Lockjaw145) September 12, 2022
Ben Fowlkes
I can’t believe this. Elias was a good, thoughtful person and it’s so sad to lose him so young. https://t.co/34w3wPYuAU
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) September 12, 2022
TJ De Santis
Super sad hearing this news. I hadn’t seen Elias since COVID hit but he was always the nicest guy who was full of joy. https://t.co/NqaZNtLyPX
— TJ De Santis (@TJDeSantis) September 12, 2022
Aleksandar Rakic
Rest in Peace. 🙏🏼
— Aleksandar Rakic (@rakic_ufc) September 12, 2022
Ali Abdelaziz
Canada lost a good guy 🙏🏾
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) September 12, 2022
Marc Goddard
Absolutely tragic news on the passing of Elias Theodorou. RIP. 😞
— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) September 12, 2022
Patrick Cote
OMG !!! RIP my friend @EliasTheodorou 😢 #fuckcancer pic.twitter.com/nwIH3ppZKP
— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) September 12, 2022
Jon Anik
So shook by this news. Rest In Peace, my brother. 😔🖤 https://t.co/tDd0NyqQpm
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) September 12, 2022
Michael Bisping
Always a great guy. Polite, respectful and a great sense of humor. RIP. Was shocked when I saw this. Sincere condolences to his loved ones. https://t.co/zVdzkIsfdC
— michael (@bisping) September 12, 2022
Ariel Helwani
Man, this is heartbreaking. Elias was such a thoughtful, sweet man. A proud Canadian, too. Horrible. Can’t believe this. https://t.co/9qRaBvAEzM
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 12, 2022
Alan Jouban
This is heartbreaking. 🙏🏼 https://t.co/py3GKXfGT4
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) September 12, 2022
Mike Bohn
Absolutely shocking news to wake up to. A neighbour of mine here in Toronto. Always so kind, generous and down to earth. We lost a good one.
RIP, Elias. 😔 https://t.co/VhpGeQZmsM
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) September 12, 2022
Aaron Jeffery
This is a very difficult post to write. Elias was a big brother to me. My MMA big brother. He helped bring me up in the sport. Laid more beatings on me than probably anyone else ever will. pic.twitter.com/Sxaz5K6PDa
— Aaron Jeffery (@aajmma) September 12, 2022
John McCarthy
Prayers and condolences go out to the family and friends of @EliasTheodorou so often people fight and we don’t see it, just as often we don’t even know. RIP Elias, classy to the end I am so sorry that we, the MMA community did not no about your toughest fight ever🙏 pic.twitter.com/nSbzd6tZRp
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) September 12, 2022
Shannon Knapp
You were such a beautiful soul. Always so kind and such a bright light in this world. This news is devastating. You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. Fly high, Elias! #RingBoy pic.twitter.com/tHP9jv41JU
— Shannon Knapp (@shanknapp) September 12, 2022
George Garcia
Terrible news. Still a young fella at 34. Condolences to his family and friends.
He was a guest of ours a few times and he was always so positive and had tons of energy.
Had a very respectable MMA career too.
RIP MMA brother. 👊🙏❤️ https://t.co/s2GQHj4Btc
— Gorgeous George (@MMAJunkieGeorge) September 12, 2022
Sean Ross Sapp
My heart is broken. A member of the Fightful family, the wonderful Elias Theodorou has passed. He was always so wonderful, real, positive and uplifting. Such a helpful, knowledgeable, great guy. Was so fortunate to get to know him. He's going to be missed so much. pic.twitter.com/w9M8F58nwG
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) September 12, 2022
Jeff Novitzky
RIP Elias Theodorou. A great person and a HUGE voice for the more fair and equitable treatment of marijuana use in MMA and sport.
— Jeff Novitzky (@JeffNovitzkyUFC) September 12, 2022
Aljamain Sterling
Wow. Loss for words on hearing the news on one of the nicest guys I’ve met in this sport. #RIP Elias. This is saddening
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 12, 2022
Nordine Taleb
Matt Frevola
Man RIP to one of the nicest fighters I’ve come across. Glad I got to train and chop it up with him a couple times throughout my career. ❤️ ⚔️ 🙏🏻 #LifeIsShort #LiveNow #DontWait #RIP https://t.co/scszwcEtEc
— Matt “The Steamrolla”Frevola (@SteamRollaa) September 12, 2022
Julianna Pena
Sarah Kaufman
A positive energy if ever there was one, a man who almost always flashed a winning smile, a man who spoke out about what he believed in.
You will be missed Elias. (Don’t worry guys, he approved this photo 🤪)#themaneevent #themaneevent™ #rip #eliastheodorou #fuckcancer pic.twitter.com/GBAIJkBVDg
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) September 12, 2022
Demian Maia
Very sad to hear about Elias Theodorou . RIP
— Demian Maia (@demianmaia) September 12, 2022
Julia Avila
Rest in Power @EliasTheodorou @InvictaFights pic.twitter.com/k4HFiCiNBu
— Julia Avila (@RagingPandaMMA) September 12, 2022
Thiago Santos
I can't believe! terrible news! RIP my friend Elias Theodorou 🙏🏾😞 it’s was a pleasure to share the octagon with you my brother
— Thiago “Marreta” Santos (@TMarretaMMA) September 12, 2022
🙏🏾😞 pic.twitter.com/sgWXTXhjb4
— Thiago “Marreta” Santos (@TMarretaMMA) September 12, 2022
Derek Brunson
Was a pleasure sharing the octagon with you . Elias Theodorou was 8-2 in the UFC & left the UFC due to standing up for what he believed in . He was 19-3 as a martial artist and from all accounts was a great person . RIP my brother, a true Canadian 🇨🇦 pioneer ! 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/SOC7nOxJJ1
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) September 12, 2022
Karyn Bryant
Rest In Peace @EliasTheodorou 🙏🕊️ I was shocked & saddened to hear of Elias' passing. He was always a pleasure to talk with, and he's obviously gone way too soon. We never know all the difficult things people are dealing with. So let's try to be good to each other…💔 #MMA #UFC pic.twitter.com/3xTkCP59FM
— Karyn Bryant (@KarynBryant) September 12, 2022
UFC
The UFC family sends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Elias Theodorouhttps://t.co/5bmDlL73nb
— UFC News (@UFCNews) September 12, 2022
Arnold Allen
So sad reading about @EliasTheodorou passing, he was always the happiest guy around, definitely made some of the gruelling camps spent at Tristar dorms more fun, Rest In Peace man ❤️
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) September 12, 2022
Tom Theocharis
RIP to a the toughest guy I’ve ever met and a guy I called my big Greek brother @EliasTheodorou I love you pic.twitter.com/VuQHwTvII3
— Tom Theocharis (@tommytheo93) September 12, 2022
The Amazing Race Canada
We are deeply saddened over the loss of Season 3 racer Elias Theodorou. Elias was a fearless team player whose boundless personality left a lasting impression on us, & with viewers across the country. We extend our condolences to his family & friends during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/mnCtcgOAtk
— The Amazing Race Canada on CTV (@AmazingRaceCDA) September 12, 2022
Farah Hannoun
Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Elias Theodorou. I’ve gotten the chance to interview him multiple times and he was always so gracious and kind with his time. RIP Elias 🙏🏻 https://t.co/5YMGQRZFq0
— Farah Hannoun (@Farah_Hannoun) September 12, 2022
High Times
On September 11, MMA fighter Elias Theodorou, a powerful advocate for medical cannabis, passed away at the age of 34 after a long battle with liver cancer.
RIP @EliasTheodorou | #fuckcancer https://t.co/mjiBRRml3f
— High Times (@HIGH_TIMES_Mag) September 12, 2022
Cindy Dandois
Rest in peace to the MANE event 😿😿😿 @EliasTheodorou @UFC_CA @InvictaFights pic.twitter.com/gKzb4xQdXr
— Cindy Dandois (@DandoisCindy) September 12, 2022
Sheldon Westcott
Coach Chad Pearson
Being in your corner, to the very end, has been the greatest honor. This stabbing feeling in my heart and sting in my throat just won't go away…I hate it, yet it's a pain I'm grateful for as you meant so much to me and to so many others #RIPEliasTheodorou @EliasTheodorou pic.twitter.com/tYwHcgJKpq
— Chad Pearson (@PlexxisPatriot) September 12, 2022
Coach Firas Zahabi
Danny Segura
Cancer sucks. Rest in peace, Elias. A true gentleman and great ambassador of the sport.❤️ https://t.co/6eunq27RqZ
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) September 12, 2022
