A little more than two months after his shocking and untimely death, UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar will be honored Sunday by the promotion he helped make thrive.
The UFC will host a Celebration of Life ceremony for “Ultimate Fighter 1” finalist Bonnar at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas beginning at 2 p.m ET/11 a.m. PT.
Bonnar died Christmas Eve due to apparent heart complications. He was 45.
A legend in the world of mixed martial arts, “The American Psycho” served as one-half of the fight many credit with turning around a then-struggling UFC. Although he lost that bout at the TUF 1 Finale against Forrest Griffin in April 2005, its impact was felt for generations to come. The bout was inducted into the Fight Wing of The UFC Hall of Fame in 2013.
Bonnar fought 26 times as a professional with 15 UFC appearances and one for Bellator. He made his pro debut in 2001 and his UFC debut eight fights later. Bonnar entered the UFC at 7-1, and though he lost the fight to Griffin, he won his next three.
A number of speakers are expected at the Celebration of Life ceremony, which you can watch in the video above.