TUF Champion Elias Theodorou Dies From Cancer At 34, MMA Community Mourns

Rest In Peace, Elias Theodorou.

Rip Elias
(via @eliastheodorou - Instagram)

The MMA community mourns as Elias Theodorou is no longer with us. 

Theodorou Dies From Cancer At Age 34

The 11-fight UFC veteran and TUF Nations winner died on Sunday from his battle with cancer, sources confirmed with Middle Easy. Theodorou would keep his health a secret as he was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer, according to TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter. Word of the fighter’s drastic diagnosis was only known to a few people close to him. 

Theodorou may have passed away at 34 years old, but he leaves a great legacy behind him. ‘The Spartan’ accomplished quite a lot in his decade-long MMA career. 

The Canadian has made history multiple times when it comes to the fight game. In 2021, he became the world’s first-ever cannabis sanctioned pro athlete at Rise FC 6. That’s not the only precedent he set. Theodorou would also become combat sports’ first ‘ring boy’, where he held cards between rounds in MMA fights. 

Don’t let the title of ‘ring boy’ distract you, Theodorou had a near-perfect UFC run and was a ‘TUF’ champ. Theodorou would win ‘The Ultimate Fighter: Nations’ tournament back in 2014. Theodorou went 8-3 as a UFC fighters, with wins over Eryk Anders, Sam Alvey, and Cezar Ferreira.

Theodorou was released by the UFC in 2019, following a decision loss to top contender Derek Brunson. Theodorou died while on a 3-fight win streak, with his last fight being on December 18, 2021. 

The MMA Community Mourns The Fallen Fighter

During this time, the Middle Easy team sends their condolences to those close to Elias Theodorou and so does the MMA community. See how the world reacted to the heartbreaking news below. 

Michael Chiesa

Aljamain Sterling

Kelvin Gastelum

Miesha Tate

Jeff Novitsky

Michael Bisping

Aiemann Zahabi

Shannon Knapp

Aaron Jeffery

Published on September 12, 2022 at 9:07 am
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