UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar passed away this past Thursday at age 45. According to a statement by the UFC, the cause of death was due to presumed heart complications while at work.
After retiring from the UFC in 2014, Bonnar began training to be a professional wrestler.
Bonnar made two pro wrestling appearances in 2017. One for the independent promotion House of Glory in 2017, defeating Sho Tanaka. Then his second appearance was with Moose when the two teamed up in a six sides of steel match in a losing effort at IMPACT Wrestling’s Bound for Glory against Bobby Lashley and King Mo. He then returned to IMPACT in 2019 as part of a feud between Moose and UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock.
He also made appearances for the Los Angeles, California promotion PCW Ultra and DWO out of New Mexico.
Bonnar’s last pro wrestling match was August of 2021, in which he was unsuccessful in capturing the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship from then champion Nick Aldis at the Minnesota All-Star Wrestling show in Stillwater, MN.
Bonnar leaves behind a son. The entire staff at Wrestleview sends it’s thoughts, prayers and condolences to the family, friends and fans of Stephen Bonnar.
Bonnar was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2013.