UFC Light Heavyweight Stephan Bonnar Retires From MMA
UFC light heavyweight Stephan Bonnar is officially retiring.
“The American Psycho” is calling it quits after a nearly 11-year career as a professional mixed martial artist. The UFC recently announced his retirement, and Bonnar confirmed the news on his Facebook page. He wrote, “Huge thanks to every UFC fan out there. All I ever wanted was to bring y’all some fun. Hope you were entertained. Peace, love and violence!”
The 35-year-old made his professional debut in November 2001 against Brian Ebersole, and won seven of his first eight fights. He joined the cast of the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter, advancing to the live finale against Forrest Griffin in April 2005. The fight is widely regarded as one of the most memorable and exciting fights in the history of both UFC and MMA.
Griffin won the fight by unanimous decision, but UFC president Dana White was so impressed with Bonnar’s performance that he offered him a contract as well.
Bonnar fought 14 more times in the Octagon, including his latest fight against Anderson Silva in the main event of UFC 153 in Rio de Janeiro. Silva defeated Bonnar with a knee to the solar plexus at 4:40 of the first round. The loss snapped Bonnar’s three-fight win streak that began on July 3, 2010 at UFC 116. Bonnar defeated Krzysztof Soszynski at 3:08 in the second round with a TKO. The matchup won Fight of the Night.
With a 15-8 record MMA record (8-7 UFC), seven of Bonnar’s career wins were by submission, and three were by knockout. He was never submitted in the ring.
