UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar’s death revealed to be accidental fentanyl overdose
New reports suggest that UFC legend Stephan Bonnar died due to a drug overdose. Here is all you need to know about it.
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Stephan Bonnar (Image Courtesy: Tapology)
UFC veteran Stephan Bonnar died last December and the news shocked the whole MMA world. Initially, it was declared that the UFC Hall of Famer’s death was due to some heart complications; however, recent reports have suggested otherwise. According to the reports by the coroner’s office in Clark County, Nevada, Bonnar’s death was caused by the unintentional overdose of drugs fentanyl, parafluorofentanyl, and mitragynine.
One of the main factors behind the ongoing opioid crisis and the primary cause of thousands of overdose deaths in the United States is the synthetic opioid Fentanyl, which is around 100 times stronger than morphine. The fighter must have taken those drugs as pain relievers as throughout their career, he faced a lot of injuries.
Stephan Bonnar’s back injury forced him to take medication
Like many other professional MMA fighters, in his career, Bonnar faced a lot of injuries. It escalated more after his Pro-wrestling career in recent years. In 2021, Bonnar suffered a severe back injury which ultimately lead to a staph infection.
“My condition pretty much deteriorated over the next couple of days,” Bonnar said in an interview after getting admitted to the hospital. “It was, like, four or five days to where I couldn’t get up, down, nothing. I couldn’t move. I was in so much pain. It’s been ten days since the original injury and it’s way worse. I’m swollen everywhere and the pain’s worse, like, something’s wrong.” It seems like that injury never healed properly and it forced the retired fighter to continue taking medicines and pain relievers.
Related: “Are you kidding me?” When UFC legend Stephan Bonnar made a fierce statement about his WWE career
Stephan Bonnar’s UFC career and Hall of Fame
Stephan Bonnar never came close to winning any UFC belt, however, is considered an amazing fighter for this promotion. Dana White was a big fan of Bonnar and after his death credited his fight with Forrest Griffin which changed a lot for UFC.
“Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon,” Dana White said in the UFC’s press conference after his death. “His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. The fans loved him, related to him and he always gave them his best. He will be missed.”
The fight took place in the TUF season 1 finale and brought in a lot of views and helped the promotion to secure TV rights. His death is certainly a loss to the MMA world, however, the reason behind it is more saddening.
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Soumya Ranjan
(2167 Articles Published)