Former UFC fighter Elias Theodorou dead at 34; MMA community mourns
Former UFC fighter and “TUF Nations” winner Elias Theodorou has died.
Theodorou died Sunday after a battle with cancer. Sources who knew Theodorou confirmed the news to MMA Junkie after various reports surfaced of his death online. Theodorou hadn’t publicly revealed his illness prior to his death.
According to TSN journalist Aaron Bronsteter, Theodorou was diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cancer.
From 2014-2019, Ontario’s Theodorou competed 11 times in the UFC. His career kickstarted when he won “TUF Nations” with a knockout of Sheldon Westcott. He went on to defeat names like Cezar Ferreira, Sam Alvey, Eryk Anders, and Trevor Smith. His only three promotional losses came against perennial contenders Thiago Santos, Brad Tavares, and Derek Brunson.
After the loss to Brunson in May 2019, Theodorou was released from the UFC. Despite Theodorou’s lopsidedly successful UFC record (8-3), UFC president Dana White said the decision to part ways was based on the unlikelihood Theodorou would become a top-five fighter.
Theodorou took his release in stride and vowed to reinvent himself. He went 3-0 after his departure, with his most recent win in December over Bryan Baker.
In the later years of his career, Theodorou became a vocal advocate for destigmatization and allowance of medical cannabis. In January 2020, he became the first professional athlete to receive a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for it.
Theodorou also served as a “ring boy” for Invicta FC and was featured on “The Amazing Race Canada, Season 3” in 2015.
Aaron Bronsteter
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
Elias Theodorou
A member of the @InvictaFights family has sadly passed from his battle with cancer. Our sincere condolences to his friends and family. Elias was truly a kind, humble and charismatic personality who will be missed greatly by all. #RingBoy pic.twitter.com/20nkgnLZgU
— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) September 12, 2022
Caposa
Awful, completely shocking news. Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Elias Theodorou. You truly never know the battles people are fighting. RIP https://t.co/EWPj7bqQgd
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 12, 2022
Dan Ige
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) September 12, 2022
Steve Montgomery
Terrible
— TheCreepyWeasel. (@WeaselSteve) September 12, 2022
Adam Hunter
RIP to one of the best people I’ve ever met…Elias Theodorou. Incredible Fighter, Friend, Role Model, Ring-Boy and Athlete. Gone way too soon. This guy was such a bright light. pic.twitter.com/jKwhdMeOYp
— MMA Roasted (@MMARoasted) September 12, 2022
Michael Chiesa
Hearing the news about @EliasTheodorou. It’s hard to believe right now 💔 #RIP
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) September 12, 2022
Fight Network
We are sad to hear of the passing of Elias Theodorou.
A great friend of the Fight Network family, and one of the most beloved personalities. He will truly be missed. pic.twitter.com/BpgbxBCN4B— Fight Network (@fightnet) September 12, 2022
Marcel Dorff
R.I.P. Elias Theodorou….I'm lost for words 😥#TheManeEvent pic.twitter.com/ke5lVJv7Ak
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) September 12, 2022
Luke Thomas
Devastating news. https://t.co/G2ro3mNV1R
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) September 12, 2022
Dana White
UFC President Dana White make his tribute to TUF Nation Winner Elias Theodorou who passed away by câncer today. pic.twitter.com/XUcupuy1uM
— Bruno Massami (Бруно Массами) (@BrMassami) September 12, 2022
Charles Rosa
Great human sad to see him goo so soon🙏🏻🫡
— Charles Rosa (@CharlesRosaMMA) September 12, 2022
Sean Ross Sapp
My heart is broken. A member of the Fightful family, the wonderful Elias Theodorou has passed. He was always so wonderful, real, positive and uplifting. Such a helpful, knowledgeable, great guy. Was so fortunate to get to know him. He's going to be missed so much. pic.twitter.com/w9M8F58nwG
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) September 12, 2022
Chamatkar Sandhu
So, so sad. Only 34 😔 https://t.co/vqFGr8GS7I
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) September 12, 2022
Elias Cepeda
Rest in Power, @EliasTheodorou . Thank you for your kindness and courage.
— Elias Cepeda (@EliasCepeda) September 12, 2022
Rex Chapman
💔
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) September 12, 2022
Gurdarshan Mangat
RIP @EliasTheodorou … Grateful for the moments we had . Such a bright light gone way to soon 🕊❤️ pic.twitter.com/alvxX4dEjC
— Gurdarshan “Saint Lion” Mangat (@saintlion) September 12, 2022
Serena DeJesus
I'm at a loss for words. He was a sweetheart and it was always wonderful to see him at Invicta.
Rest in peace @EliasTheodorou 🙏🥺 https://t.co/saUAp0TQd9
— Serena DeJesus (@SerenaSouthpaw) September 12, 2022