January 2, 2023 Observer Newsletter: Stephan Bonnar passes away, Dragon Lee signs with WWE
“Ladies and Gentleman in attendance tonight and the millions of UFC fans watching around the world have just witnessed three rounds of the greatest action ever seen inside the Octagon in the history of the UFC. Let’s give a hand for these UFC light heavyweight warriors.”
Ring announcer Michael Buffer right after the conclusion of the April 9, 2005, Ultimate Fighter season one finale fight between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar.
Stephan Bonnar, who lost a close decision to Forrest Griffin in what could be argued was the most important MMA fight ever held in the U.S., passed away on 12/22 from what was believed to have been a heart attack while at work. According to the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office, the cause of death and circumstances are still pending.
Bonnar was 45.
Bonnar’s legacy, his 15 minutes in the cage that night and a few minutes after, will always be tied to the first time UFC was ever live on television. Spike TV made at the time a controversial call to put a UFC show on television, something no other channel would dare try at the time. While largely forgotten, Griffin vs. Bonnar was not the main event on the show (for trivia it was a fight where Rich Franklin beat Ken Shamrock) nor were they really the stars of the first season of the show, who were Chris Leben, Josh Koscheck, and Diego Sanchez.
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Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.