Canadian MMA Fans In Shock After Elias Theodorou Dies

Summary

• Ex-UFC fighter Elias Theodorou passes away at just 34
• Theodorou had an 8-3 record in the UFC and competed at middleweight 
• Theodorou was a huge advocate for using medical cannabis in MMA

UFC fans haven’t seen Canadian MMA fighter Elias Theodorou in the Octagon since 2019 as the promotion cut him as they did not find his fights very entertaining even though he had an 8-3 record in the UFC.

However, MMA fans will not forget Elias Theodorou as he often billed himself as the ‘MANE event’ claiming he had the best hair in the UFC.

Elias Theodorou Dies At Just 34

MMA fans around the world were left in shock after news broke that Theodorou had passed away at the young age of 34. Those close to him claimed that Theodorou was fighting inside the cage in his professional life but in his personal life, he was having an even bigger fight with live cancer.

Theodorou preferred to keep his battle with live cancer secret and not share it with his fans or the MMA community unlike some sportstars and celebrities who prefer to open up to their fans. This is one reason why his sudden passing has caught his fans off-guard. 

Theodorou had his last fight in the UFC in 2019 against Derek Brunson which he ended up losing by 2019. After being cut from the UFC, he continues to stay in the news after signing up to be a ring boy for Invicta FC – which is an MMA organization that offers female only MMA action.

The Canadian MMA fighter also continued to fight outside the UFC in smaller promotions such as Prospect Fighting Championships, Colorado Combat Club and Rise FC where he won all of his fights. His last fight was as recent as December 2021 when he won a 3 round fight by decision.

Some of his achievements in the UFC includes winning the The Ultimate Fighter: Nations middleweight tournament and beating the odds against top UFC fighters at middleweight such as Eryk Anders, Sam Alvey and Cezar Ferreira.

Theodorou Fought For Medical Cannabis In MMA

Theodorou used his social media platform and MMA star power to campaign for medical cannabis to be used in MMA and for USADA to lift medical cannabis from the list of banned substances. His campaigning worked as he became the first cannabis sanctioned pro fighter in MMA.