Tag: TUF

UFC commentator Joe Rogan pays tribute to the late Hall of Fame inductee Stephan Bonnar: ‘We lost a real legend’

Stephan BonnarUFC color commentator, Joe Rogan has paid tribute to the late, Stephan Bonnar this weekend, describing the promotional alum as a “real legend” following his passing earlier this week at the age of 45. Bonnar, a former UFC light heavyweight contender and a finalist of The Ultimate Fighter 1 back in 2005 alongside former undisputed […]

Stephan Bonnar

UFC color commentator, Joe Rogan has paid tribute to the late, Stephan Bonnar this weekend, describing the promotional alum as a “real legend” following his passing earlier this week at the age of 45.

Bonnar, a former UFC light heavyweight contender and a finalist of The Ultimate Fighter 1 back in 2005 alongside former undisputed champion, Forrest Griffin, passed away earlier this week at the age of 45, as a result of reported heart complications. 

Joe Rogan shares heartfelt tribute to TUF 1 finalist, Stephan Bonnar

With tributes piling in amid the Indiana native’s sudden passing, Rogan described the UFC Hall of Fame inductee as a “real legend”.

“We lost a real legend,” Joe Rogan posted on his official Instagram account, accompanied by a picture of Stephan Bonnar at The Ultimate Fighter 1 finale back in 2005. “RIP to one of the most important figures in the explosion of MMA. Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin engaged in a battle on Spike TV in 2005 that was so wild, and so entertaining that it changed the course of the UFC and the sport of Mixed Martial Arts forever. You will not be forgotten.” 

Rogan’s play-by-play commentary counterpart, Jon Anik also paid tribute to the late, Bonnar, recounting how he had attended his and his wife’s wedding ceremony just days removed from a fight.

“Just absolutely crushed to hear about the passing of our friend and UFC legend Stephan Bonnar,” Jon Anik posted on Instagram. “His MMA legacy lives on, to be sure, as does his incredible call of fellow Midwesterner Anthony @showtimepettis’ off-the-cage kick. Brilliant reaction in real time by Stephan and I’m glad he had that moment as a broadcaster. You could always count on his energy.”

“I got to know Stephan during our time working on ESPN’s ‘MMA Live’ from 2008-2001. We were particularly close at the time of my wedding and just two weeks after his win at UFC 116, he fellow across the country from Las Vegas to Boston to be there with us in person. He has the black eye in this picture to prove it. That of course didn’t stop him from running at max incline on the treadmill next to me on the morning of my wedding… Love you, buddy. Rest in peace. Thanks for always making me feel like a million bucks.” 

During is professional career, Bonnar posted a 15-9 professional record, securing victories over the likes of Brian Ebersole, Terry Martin, James Irvine, Keith Jardine, and Kyle Kingsbury.

Breaking – UFC alum, TUF 1 finalist Stephan Bonnar passes away aged 45

Stephan BonnarNews has broken this Christmas Eve concerning UFC middleweight division veteran and The Ultimate Fighter 1 season finalist, Stephan Bonnar, who sadly passed away this earlier this week at the age of 45.  Bonnar, a native of Hammond, Indiana, competed on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter back in 2005, reaching that season’s finale […]

Stephan Bonnar

News has broken this Christmas Eve concerning UFC middleweight division veteran and The Ultimate Fighter 1 season finalist, Stephan Bonnar, who sadly passed away this earlier this week at the age of 45. 

Bonnar, a native of Hammond, Indiana, competed on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter back in 2005, reaching that season’s finale against fellow finalist, former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Forrest Griffin. 

The UFC confirmed the passing of Stephan Bonnar in a statement tonight

Inducted into the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame back in 2013 along with finalist, Griffin, the promotion confirmed this Saturday night that Bonnar had passed away at the age of 45.

“The UFC family is saddened by the passing of UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar,” UFC tweeted this Saturday night. “We send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.” 

Boasting a 15-9 professional record, Bonnar most recently competed at Bellator 131 in September 2014, dropping a split decision loss to former UFC light heavyweight champion, Tito Ortiz. 

Competing 15 times separately under the banner of the Dana White-led UFC, Bonnar managed to amass an 8-7 promotional record from 2005 to 2012. 

In eight of those promotional victories, Bonnar managed to defeat Sam Hoger, James Irvine, Keith Jardine, Mike Nickels Eric Schafer, Krzysztof Soszynski, Igor Pokrajac, and Kyle Kingsburg. 

A nine-year veteran of the UFC, during his tenure with the organization, Bonnar suffered defeats against former or future promotional champions, Jon Jones, Mark Coleman, Anderson Silva, and Rashad Evans.

Breaking – UFC alum, TUF 1 finalist Stephan Bonnar passes away aged 45

Stephan BonnarNews has broken this Christmas Eve concerning UFC middleweight division veteran and The Ultimate Fighter 1 season finalist, Stephan Bonnar, who sadly passed away this earlier this week at the age of 45.  Bonnar, a native of Hammond, Indiana, competed on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter back in 2005, reaching that season’s finale […]

Stephan Bonnar

News has broken this Christmas Eve concerning UFC middleweight division veteran and The Ultimate Fighter 1 season finalist, Stephan Bonnar, who sadly passed away this earlier this week at the age of 45. 

Bonnar, a native of Hammond, Indiana, competed on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter back in 2005, reaching that season’s finale against fellow finalist, former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Forrest Griffin. 

The UFC confirmed the passing of Stephan Bonnar in a statement tonight

Inducted into the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame back in 2013 along with finalist, Griffin, the promotion confirmed this Saturday night that Bonnar had passed away at the age of 45.

“The UFC family is saddened by the passing of UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar,” UFC tweeted this Saturday night. “We send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.” 

Boasting a 15-9 professional record, Bonnar most recently competed at Bellator 131 in September 2014, dropping a split decision loss to former UFC light heavyweight champion, Tito Ortiz. 

Competing 15 times separately under the banner of the Dana White-led UFC, Bonnar managed to amass an 8-7 promotional record from 2005 to 2012. 

In eight of those promotional victories, Bonnar managed to defeat Sam Hoger, James Irvine, Keith Jardine, Mike Nickels Eric Schafer, Krzysztof Soszynski, Igor Pokrajac, and Kyle Kingsburg. 

A nine-year veteran of the UFC, during his tenure with the organization, Bonnar suffered defeats against former or future promotional champions, Jon Jones, Mark Coleman, Anderson Silva, and Rashad Evans.

MMANews.com Weekly Interview Round-Up (10/22/22-10/29/22)

Our weekly interview round-up has you covered coming off UFC 280! It’s a crazy week for combat sports. Kicking off the weekend is Bellator Milan, before Taylor vs. Carabajal live from Wembley. Then it’s back to the Apex for UFC Fight Night:…

Our weekly interview round-up has you covered coming off UFC 280! It’s a crazy week for combat sports. Kicking off the weekend is Bellator Milan, before Taylor vs. Carabajal live from Wembley. Then it’s back to the Apex for UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Allen, before Paul vs. Silva rounds out our weekend in Arizona….

Continue Reading MMANews.com Weekly Interview Round-Up (10/22/22-10/29/22) at MMA News.

Brogan Walker: Fans Will See A Lot Of Nunes In Me At TUF Finale

Brogan Walker will be walking in the Octagon at the UFC Vegas 59 event well prepared by an MMA GOAT. The latest season of The Ultimate Fighter is over and a new champion is set to be crowned. The Ultimate Fighter season 30 final is set to go down tonig…

Brogan Walker will be walking in the Octagon at the UFC Vegas 59 event well prepared by an MMA GOAT. The latest season of The Ultimate Fighter is over and a new champion is set to be crowned. The Ultimate Fighter season 30 final is set to go down tonight, August 6, live from Las…

Continue Reading Brogan Walker: Fans Will See A Lot Of Nunes In Me At TUF Finale at MMA News.

Tatiana Suarez Reveals Strange Rule For TUF Contestants 

The Ultimate Fighter 23 winner Tatiana Suarez has recalled her time on the reality show, and revealed an interesting rule that was in place for contestants. Suarez established her name in the UFC after completing a journey from the number one pick for Cláudia Gadelha’s team to the overall strawweight victor. She accomplished that feat…

Continue Reading Tatiana Suarez Reveals Strange Rule For TUF Contestants  at MMA News.

The Ultimate Fighter 23 winner Tatiana Suarez has recalled her time on the reality show, and revealed an interesting rule that was in place for contestants.

Suarez established her name in the UFC after completing a journey from the number one pick for Cláudia Gadelha’s team to the overall strawweight victor. She accomplished that feat through season wins against Chel-c Bailey, JJ Aldrich, and Kate Jackson, and a first-round submission victory over rival Amanda Cooper at the 2016 finale.

In the subsequent years, Suarez continued her dominance in the Octagon, extending her promotional record to 5-0, a slate that includes successes against Alexa Grasso and Nina Nunes, as well as now-reigning strawweight titleholder Carla Esparza.

While injuries have stalled her rise towards championship glory, keeping her on the sidelines since 2019, the 31-year-old is preparing to return to action later this year. And while discussing her impending comeback during an appearance on The Schmozone podcast, Suarez harked back to the show that brought her to the big leagues.

When asked whether her series included any extra drama beyond what was aired, Suarez recalled it being a relatively low-key season in terms of feuds, aside from her own animosity towards eventual fellow finalist Cooper.

“There was no drama in our season really. Besides the fact that I did not like Amanda Cooper, there was really no drama,” said Suarez. “There was none. The only thing that happened was in the very beginning Amanda got upset, she was like, ‘You’re going hard.’ I was like, ‘I do everything hard, what’d you want me to do?’”

It appears that was despite the producers’ best efforts.

Suarez went on to state that as well as not having access to televisions, contestants weren’t even permitted to read unless for religious purposes. That, the Californian said, was to encourage them to interact with each other and potentially produce more back and forth that could be aired.

“Yeah, you can’t watch TV, you can’t read books. Just the bible or the Quran or something. Nope, no books,” revealed Suarez. “They do it because they obviously want you to interact with each other. So, if you’re frustrated because you can’t watch TV, you go and fight with the nearest person, or just talk to the nearest person. Obviously, that makes for good TV.”

While TUF, which is largely credited for sparking the UFC’s growth, has certainly lost some of its sting and popularity in recent editions, fans will fondly remember the early days of the show and the talent it bred, even up to the 23rd season.

Suarez will look to establish herself as the show’s greatest alum when she returns to action, something she’ll go a long way to doing if she can achieve her champ-champ ambitions down the line.

What do you make of this TUF rule?

Continue Reading Tatiana Suarez Reveals Strange Rule For TUF Contestants  at MMA News.