The MMA world got some heartbreaking news on Sunday night and early Monday morning when news broke that former UFC fighter Elias Theodorou passed away from a battle with cancer at the young age of just 34 years old.
According to Aaron Bronsteter of TSN Sports, Theodorou had been battling stage 4 liver cancer, though few knew of his diagnosis.
Sadly, a representative of Elias Theodorou has confirmed earlier reports that he has passed away at age 34.
Theodorou was privately battling Stage 4 liver cancer and had only told a select group of people of his diagnosis.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) September 12, 2022
“Sadly, a representative of Elias Theodorou has confirmed earlier reports that he has passed away at age 34,” Bronsteter said in a Tweet. “Theodorou was privately battling Stage 4 liver cancer and had only told a select group of people of his diagnosis.”
Throughout his career, Theodorou posted a 19-3 record in his 22 professional MMA fights, including an 8-3 run in the UFC from 2011 to 2019. After parting ways with UFC, Theodorou continued fighting smaller regional matches and was participating in fights less than a year before his death, scoring a win by unanimous decision over Bryan Baker in December in what turned out to be his final fight, according to mmafighting.com.
Given his young age and that he kept his cancer diagnosis a secret from all but a select few, many around the MMA world were stunned to hear of Theodorou’s death.
This is heartbreaking. Truly heartbreaking. He was only 34. Won a fight not even a year ago. At a loss for words. I'm so sorry Elias…you should still be here with us. https://t.co/5NjqljsHNl
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) September 12, 2022
Gone far too soon.
Elias was always an incredibly nice guy and a really fun interview. I'm glad I got to know him. Heartbreaking to hear about his death at just 34 years old. https://t.co/gt5HlUJue8
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) September 12, 2022
This is so damn sad. Never heard a bad thing said about him and blown away he just fought less than a year ago. RIP🙏🏾 https://t.co/UEqpdG6WEQ
— Arjan Singh Bhullar (@TheOneASB) September 12, 2022
A truly unique soul in this crazy business of ours
Wishing nothing but the best for his family and loved ones during this difficult time https://t.co/Xv2dJoU9ud
— Alexander K Lee (@AlexanderKLee) September 12, 2022
Oh no… https://t.co/u2M6pJlwnQ
— Mike Linden (@MikeLindenWX) September 12, 2022
You were such a beautiful soul. Always so kind and such a bright light in this world. This news is devastating. You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. Fly high, Elias! #RingBoy pic.twitter.com/tHP9jv41JU
— Shannon Knapp (@shanknapp) September 12, 2022
Wow. Loss for words on hearing the news on one of the nicest guys I’ve met in this sport. #RIP Elias. This is saddening
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 12, 2022
This is a very difficult post to write. Elias was a big brother to me. My MMA big brother. He helped bring me up in the sport. Laid more beatings on me than probably anyone else ever will. pic.twitter.com/Sxaz5K6PDa
— Aaron Jeffery (@aajmma) September 12, 2022
It’s safe to say that Theodorou will be remembered and missed by many.
[Aaron Bronsteter, MMAfighting.com]
