Former UFC fighter Elias Theodorou dead at 34
Very sad news tonight as we are receiving confirmed reports that former UFC fighter Elias Theodorou (19-3) had died at age 34.
The Canadian mixed martial artist died after a battle with cancer, with multiple teammates and friends confirming the heartbreaking news to BJPENN.com and on social media, as per a report from Cole Shelton who writes for the site, among others.
Theodorou, who fought under the nickname “The Spartan,” won the ‘TUF: Nations’ middleweight tournament back in 2014 and was in the UFC until 2019.
He was a major advocate for the legalization of marijuana and was the first professional mixed martial artist to receive a therapeutic exemption for cannabis.
Theodorou was a popular guest on MyMMArijuanaCHRONICles, a podcast hosted by MyMMANews reporter Adam Crist that talks about the medical benefits of the use cannabis.
Theodorou thought of himself as a pioneer in helping to change the way cannabis is viewed in the professional mixed martial arts community.
“I think I’m on the right side of history being in the cannabis side of history and that’s what I’m going to continue to do,” Theodorou confessed on the show. “And I’m lucky enough to do what I love!”
Theodorou leaves the world on a three-fight win-streak, his most recent victory, a unanimous decision over Bryan Baker at Colorado Combat Club 12 in December 2021.
RIP Elias
