Stephan Bonnar Update: After Severe Staph Infection, TUF 1 Vet ‘Just Done’ - MMA Fighting

Stephan Bonnar sat down for a follow-up interview with MMA Fighting to give an update on his health after a concerning video of an incident at a Las Vegas hospital went viral and he was bedridden during an interview this past month.
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[@JohnIn2SonAZ]

In this day and age how did we lose this guy. so sad. WTF!

[@UndersackitchFungalbollock]

Drugs unfortunately

[@onalyd]

What a warrior. All respect to Stephen and hopefully our loss is heaven’s gain 🙏🏻

[@PunjabiPiccolo]

RIP to a man whose impact on this industry will never be forgotten.

[@JonoPich]

It’s sad to see him in this shape. Mentally though he seems much better than last time. Get well soon legend.

[@ucdcrush]

Maybe he seems less agitated because he has access to pills now. Not sure if that's better.

[@stonecold316339]

Nah he's a junkie

[@heckalydalii200]

He looks horrible. He lost a lot of weight don't want to use this word to define him but he looks like a tweaker.

[@toonses4300]

His wife sure ignored him when he needed to go to hospital that time.

[@triggsnasty6066]

He was in the hospital for a month!!! Y’all brutal

[@soulboken4670]

Damn he left his body and soul in the octagon, the UFC needs to help him as much as they can ....

[@eriklarson9137]

When you get more life experience you will find you can only help people who want it. Otherwise you are an enabler.

[@Shnickers123]

@@eriklarson9137 When you get a Heart you will understand how powerful addiction can be, only the Lord and Compassion can heal a person…

[@VenomHernandez]

R.I.P. Stephen Bonnar 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@kdub9918]

At 5:10 ti hear him say that and then find out this morning that he’s gone on Christmas of all days is incredibly sad. This is unrelated but this is my first Xmas w/o my Grandmother/2nd mom and I’m at the house alone sitting near her ashes just sad af. RIP brother

[@NinjaDildoShow]

*Kevin Randleman was Stephan's age when he died of pneumonia after battling a bad staph infection. It's good to see Bonnar doing better, and I hope that he continues to get better.*

[@JanoyCresva]

he's just a junkie now.

[@iceman9479440]

Unfortunately he just passed away today.

[@manchestermassivepodcast518]

@@iceman9479440 🙏🏽💔

[@manchestermassivepodcast518]

@@JanoyCresva he's a legend and always will be..... rip bonnar 🙏🏽💔

[@jonathannaranjo5105]

This has me scared shitless. I just battled a bad staph infection where I had to be on antibiotics for 45 days and I still even 3 months later keep getting pustules. Staph is no joke

[@elitemcstudios]

He’s one half of the reason UFC is still around. They should be taking better care of their fighters for things like this when they wind down.

[@PeterParkerWebslinger3]

he did this to himself, he has been helped many times...he a pure drug addict

[@rjim1]

@@PeterParkerWebslinger3 wow, that's empathetic of you. Are you suggesting he gave himself a serious infection and broke a vertebra on purpose then? Must be amazing being a perfect human.

[@maxxxmodelz4061]

They did help man. Sometimes people are beyond help. I just hope he can get himself through this without getting even more addicted to pain meds. Sometimes when you are addicted to opiates, the pain you feel isn't actually from the physical problems but rather the withdrawal of not having the level of pain medication your body was once used to. In other words, because of long-term opiate addiction dulling all forms of pain sensitivity, you become far more sensitive to even minor pain once you are without it. That can go away in time, IF you are willing to suffer for a while.

[@mrkang4080]

But that won't make uncle Dana any money.... Bonnar needs serious help.

[@KeithWhalen11]

Griffin vs Bonnar was 16 and a half years ago and is pretty removed from this situation. If I were in Dana's shoes I'd offer him any professional help he needs through the P.I but there's no way the company eats the crazy health care costs for something beyond their control.

[@daddybear443]

RIP STEPHAN!!!!!!

[@briantneary2248]

God bless you, dude. I'm 38 and have been watching you since the start. Wishing you the best

[@brendanold7047]

Alright Stan.

[@RTX_Remix]

@@brendanold7047 How is he a stan in the context of Stephan being pltentially near death, and this guy simply wishing him the best?

[@jordanscott8369]

I’m glad he gets to clear his name. He’s a legend.

[@collins8605]

The level of empathy I feel for Stephan is literally indescribable. Stay strong and keep fighting the good fight Stephan! Most of the MMA community has your back!

[@Vote4Jimjones]

Native vertebral osteomyelitis with epidural abscesses and bacteremia from Staphylococcus aureus is deadly. Thank goodness the second hospital caught it. Shame on the first hospital for dismissing him and his cries for help. Glad he seems to be recovering.

[@joshtheflatearthjedi222]

Yeah what you said

[@oldironsides4107]

He made an ass out of himself and attacked people with a crutch because he didn’t get in the er. Which as he said was an in of drugs and a 30 day script. Nothing to do with staff at all

[@catchwreck928]

welp you called it brother RIP

[@johnnybracciole5490]

🤣😂

[@pavethepeaks]

As an ER nurse it really upsets me how some hospitals treat, or lack of treatment to people who appear to be drug seeking. You always have to give people the benefit of the doubt. Most people don't have a clue what is going on with them. I'm glad to see him doing better because he was on the verge of dying the way he is describing his ordeal. And I hope he has a good law suit against that hospital. its at the very least an EMTALA violation if not gross negligence.

[@Initium1000]

wtf he was out of his mind at that hospital and wanted drugs OBVIOUSLY. He’s making excuses here and didn’t look healthy. I’m pissed that he died but drugs killed him not injuries.

[@IrishTechnicalThinker]

Praying for your recovery, so sad to witness this because it's no joke, Bonnar needs serious help.

[@IrishTechnicalThinker]

@@SPIDERM0OSE Such a mental health treatment, it's obvious he's crying out for help and support bro.

[@KingDomsKingdom85]

@@SPIDERM0OSE it looked very much like a nurse in the background, thats why his questions were aimed that way i think dude.

[@backbone93]

Yeah man, they outlaw health and social health and social security and stuff right now its all over the place

[@oldironsides4107]

He just needs a steady flow of pain pills from various doctors and a few pharmacy’s to fill them and he would be feeling better than ever. Only when you’re out is when you’re in the shits

[@spookshow6999]

It's disgusting what that hospital done. They need held accountable!

[@joelapointe771]

I don't get why so many comments are obcessed about "addiction". He obviously has serious health problems.

[@kingd3823]

Damn rewatching this after hearing of his passing today. The highs of fame and the ultimate low of death. Sucks to have seen him like this. RIP

[@MickyFree-fw3lg]

I saw this video posted the day after his passing and assumed it was filmed around the same week he died. Did he recover from this, and his fatal cardiac arrest was random and unrelated from this stint?

[@jonredcorn862]

@@MickyFree-fw3lg I am sure he died from the staff. It just shut his heart down. The abuse he did to hsi body didnt help.

[@grimreefer213]

This video was posted a year before his death, but the infection and antibiotics could’ve played a role in damaging his body. Rest in peace to this man. Must’ve been rough dealing with those injuries and infection, staph is a serious issue and can be life threatening

[@ChosenWon]

Good luck, Stephen. Tom Reed, your old Fitness Formula acquaintance.

[@c_mac7773]

Is Stephen from Michigan? I watch your videos the interviews. I was born and raised in Detroit but left two years ago

[@therodenthitman]

*Stephan

[@kingunnz7342]

RIP Stephan Bonar a true warrior

[@jebediahjenkins3413]

He's aged 15 years in about the span of 2. Injurys suck.

[@mugshotmarley]

Im pretty sure it's a drug problem, unfortunately. He's mentioned have addiction issues recently.

[@joebrowning7692]

i think it’s to do with addiction - hope he recovers and gets himself together again

[@thedonofthsht76-58]

@@mugshotmarley his recent videos were 100% drug addict behavior but having internal staph is super dangerous. I mean he has a pick line in still. Bad stuff

[@jmn1238]

The weight loss

[@mugshotmarley]

@@thedonofthsht76-58 That internal staph and his symptoms of bone infection (osteomyelitis) are very common signs of IV drug abuse, unfortunately.

[@KhanJohn7]

really glad i gave him a chance to explain himself. poor guy.

[@kssbuxx]

From his face u can see how much pain he dealt with. Hope he get well soon.

[@rx4real253]

Man, I'm heartbroken seeing Bonnar like that. I hope that he heals up fast and the road gets a little easier for him because the dude looks and sounds beat down and he deserves to be living the good life after all of the work that he put into the fight game.

[@bigal2417]

100%

[@ilck-ym-blals7385]

Hes dead.

[@GABRIEL-tt4wy]

DAMMIT DANA CAN WE GET BONNAR SOME HELP! Sucks seeing him in such bad shape, praying for you brother!

[@seansean7653]

I am sure he's doing.

[@backbone93]

Omg... tough guys are falling appart... Social health and stuff now needs to be there for him!!!!! He is a warrior you cant let this man rott away on his own!!!

[@jumanjiwarlord]

Hope u get better dude. I saw Stephan Bonnar train at Miguel torres’ gym in Hammond, Indiana back in the days. He was a beast. Always rooting for you 💪

[@NicolaMaxwell]

Thoughts and love to Stephan.

[@djf51888]

Stephen Bonnar is an OG I really hope everything works out for him, glad he did this interview to give some context those in the comments from the other video calling him a drug seeker while he's literally dying from a staph infection.

[@themonsterbaby]

The 2 aren't mutually exclusive. He was in pain. He also was an addict. Anybody who has ever struggled with opioid addiction knew what they were looking at. He ran out of 1 script almost 3 weeks early. Had one more already being processed and was in the hospital seeking more. He was in pain but he was also in withdrawal and doctor shopping.

[@PaulAtreidesXIII]

Iv had a similar staph infection and had to use a pic line for weeks. I was young and very healthy but still almost lost my leg. An internal staph infection is extremely bad.

[@eriklarson9137]

How do you grade infections? Did you see his chart? Are you just trying to tell people you are tough? Weird message.

[@PaulAtreidesXIII]

@@eriklarson9137 wtf are you on about?

[@williamwallace6193]

Wow that dudes trippin hey so did you fully recover from it and what did they give you, I got staph from jiu jitsu and I’m on all these medications now but I’m just wondering how other people beat it, if you don’t mind me asking

[@PaulAtreidesXIII]

@@williamwallace6193 I had to take Vancomycin twice a day through a pic line for weeks. Sorry to hear ya got staph, take your meds and rest a lot.

[@jonahjameson272]

@@PaulAtreidesXIII Question, how come some fighters never get staph - do you need to shower asap and clean your skin? How does it happen

[@bradleywells4400]

My heart goes out to you Stephan and I pray that you heal and get better physically mentally and emotionally! Your a warrior and you can come through this to a better side and your story will help so many!

[@FREEDMFTR]

RIP Stephan Bonnar 2022 - Pure Legend

[@bkwil6078]

Rest in peace brother.....

[@channingf8749]

I really hope stephan gets through it. Its really tough man when your in pain and come across as an addict to Healthcare professionals. Its really hard to get the help you need and go through with it.

[@jonjones2]

Rip. It's a sad day today. Gone at 45 years of age. 1 year after this video and after him and his wife's place burned down in April and they lost everything.

[@untetheredmoon6971]

RIP legend

[@Nibiru420]

Damn he looks like hes withering away. Hope you get better bro!

[@floatinggoose9197]

When I was strung out on meth, and went to jail, I weighed 160 lbs. I’m 6ft, and currently 220, before the drug use I was 200-230 at times. That’s 50 pounds, and you couldn’t even recognize me. Hard drugs are a great way to kill your body and mind, and soul

[@antonycuff4512]

@@floatinggoose9197 the drugs aren't his main problem , he has an internal staph infection !

[@antonycuff4512]

@Alex Thill If he has a good reason to be on them then he is not addicted . in the other video we didn't know how serious his condition was !

[@grantschloesslin6976]

@@antonycuff4512 you can have a good reason and still be addicted.. you know.. like the hundreds of thousands of others that got on pain meds for legitimate reasons & left more battered and broken than they were before.

[@antonycuff4512]

@@grantschloesslin6976 And the millions who took them and got off like everyone who had their wisdom teeth removed and the millions who take them as directed for decades and are still alive in their 70s , 80s and 90s ! The only ones left battered and broken are the ones who get cut off abruptly for little to no reason at all !

[@Razzy316]

The UFC needs to monitor this closely and get this man in to a 5 star rehab facility the second the doctor says it's time to cut the pain meds

[@Kellysbiggestfan311]

Why the UFC? He can do it himself

[@rockyrivera6397]

@@liltilt9484 Youre naïve or a fan boy if you think ufc cares about this

[@Kellysbiggestfan311]

@@liltilt9484 he can take care of himself, he is an adult

[@cpgood9971]

RIP and thank you for the great memories of that TUF 1

[@michaelsimms7345]

Stephan, I am praying for you brother.. keep your chin up.

[@Imhim247]

This is really to sad Stephan in this shape. He's truly a legend. I wishing my brother a speedy recovery. May all glory protect Stephan health.

[@ikhan2181]

InshaAllah this legend has a full recovery soon.

[@bertyjahoomb147]

Wishing you all the best Stephan.

[@outthetrunkfilms]

RIP Stephan Bonnar! You were a true warrior!

[@KingDomsKingdom85]

This hurts my soul to see this man who has such a dear place in my heart in this way. It's obvious that he's struggling and needs help, i hope that these media companies getting interviews are using their initiative to help him once the cameras stop rolling. This man right here is one of the most important people in the history of the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. If it weren't for Stephan and Forrest putting on that war then the UFC would've gone out of business. Sending all my best wishes, love and respect to Stephan... and the biggest of thank you's.

[@slyreezy5258]

It’s not their job to help him. He probably asked to be interviewed

[@KingDomsKingdom85]

@@slyreezy5258 maybe, thats definitely a possibility.

[@backbone93]

F'ing dana should have payed this guy more or at least pay veterans social security for LIFE!!!!!!

[@clintwood1983]

Hope the UFC helps this guy. Real sad. Remember watching that Griffin fight live on Spike. Hope he gets better.

[@willkea4122]

really good interview 💯

[@jakeinntheboxx1980]

Stephan seemed in such a humble head space I feel so bad For him, he’s a legit legend

[@cashen7384]

Honestly Stephan is a tough dude hope he heals quickly

[@mmamlg]

Bonnar youre a legend. Keep on th path, all the best

[@urtvreality2732]

Happy and relieved to see you fighting and looking way better. Keep fighting stephen. There is help there and the people want you to beat this. Felt so bad for you. Inspiring indeed 💪🏼🏆

[@In2ThinAir]

Praying for Stephan

[@brandonbeard1372]

A lot of people owe him an apology after saying his last video was only opioid addiction

[@urtvreality2732]

True that. This man is fighting some severe pains and deserves some sympathy and respect. Hes a legend goodness sake

[@beavervalleyupdatesmore740]

🙏 for you Stephan Bonnar for a successful Recovery

[@michaelherron4306]

That’s rough. May you have the inner resources to overcome your difficulties. 🙏🏻

[@gregc2253]

God bless brother addiction is a real thing ,,,,,wishing you all the best.....May God bless you....

[@aWomanFreed]

Where in this video did he admit to having an addiction? Being on oxy for pain is not the same as being a junkie.

[@mastersun82]

It’s crazy to see bonnar and forrest’s paths diverge so far apart. Forrest looking like he’s living his best life and bonnar seems he’s hurting for his next fix. Life is unpredictable

[@adamcrompton4385]

It helps to be Dana's pet

[@catchwreck928]

and now hes dead

[@jonathannaranjo5105]

He was suffering from a life threatening staph infection… are you not listening

[@theironsheik6322]

@@jonathannaranjo5105 Staph infection was likely caused by IV drug addiction.

[@SpaceHippo420]

@@theironsheik6322 Not necessarily true, people get staph ALL THE TIME from mats at the gym. Although this dude is definitely strung out and obviously going through withdrawal and trying to get pain medication, not saying he doesn’t need them but he has a problem as well. There is no right answer to pain. You need them but they are addicting and then when you get addicted they take them even though you need them. Vicious cycle.

[@privatename3447]

Prayers for him

[@ibfreely8952]

Great interview

[@AmB39]

We’re with you man. You inspired me when I saw you on ultimate fighter when I was young. Get well my friend.

[@rekthereaper3760]

Staph on the spine. . Dudes lucky he caught it in time

[@jarabotelho5275]

And to think he could’ve caught it sooner but the hospital turned him away, sick and sad.

[@yancieb]

damn man.....im wishing the best for you Stephan Bonnar. Ill keep you in my prayers.

[@Marvman1967]

Fight your big fight and get well ....... Never forgotten "bonnar vs griffin" the most important fight in UFC/MMA sports

[@brentpriddle8425]

Well shame on all the haters who thought you were just a pill addict. First hospital should be held accountable for social profiling and defimation of character.

[@GTschumacher]

Hope he gets well!

[@toasterpoppin8717]

With all respect… He is the perfect storm of Aging (prematurely), Addiction, and Years of very hard exercise/traumas and what it all does to the body (in an extreme way).

[@therodenthitman]

I hope he finds a substitute for opioids or this won't end well IMO.

[@robboisvert]

If there's 1 thing that we all know about him as a absolut fact, it's that this man is not a quitter. He'll work through this injury and make it out the other side. And I'll be rooting for him when he does.

[@71donkrider]

Oxy does not discriminate But it does help if u have severe pain Hope this man recovers 100% in the near future

[@thedonofthsht76-58]

Only thing is is that as a fighter I'm sure hes been taking them for years. I was on them for months then once it was time to get off it's very hard. I didnt know about chemical addiction. You get sick and all that pain comes right back bc it wears down your nerves. Horrible stuff

[@tommyhunter9641]

He seems very sincere. What has happened to him is a tragedy and a failure of the doctors.

[@romanovkazdavicovich3996]

RIP Mr Stephan Bonnar 🙏🏻✝️🙏🏻

[@iceKOId]

This is heartbreaking 💔

[@melejacome8162]

RIP Legend

[@globemaster67]

I really wish the best for this man

[@dlife7427]

Wow so he was actually in pain imagine that.

[@hateUglys]

RIP Brother Stephan... you will be missed so much... see you on the other side

[@colourfultoreador8467]

hope u get well soon legend

[@Mojames1984]

Would love to see another update on Stephan, I hope he’s doing ok

[@stuartforlines7940]

He's dead

[@Mojames1984]

@@stuartforlines7940 just saw that, that is awful

[@justinheinitz4567]

wish you the best buddy!

[@nicklucking1891]

Legend! Heal up Stephan

[@Pan-boyLandoSoychildDongLover]

Rooting for ya, Stephan !

[@JohnSmith-ef2sx]

If you're in a lot of pain like he is and you're opposed to him taking pain killers what other option does the dude have ? Live in severe pain ? He's not faking the pain. Some people do, he is not.

[@aaronbenhaggai973]

Poor guy and hopefully the ufc is helping him out with all he has done for them

[@KingDomsKingdom85]

They wouldnt exist without him... and thats 100% set in stone.

[@SuperKpill]

Oh man, I hope he recovers soon.

[@ItsYoYoHo]

Interviewer is not good at interviewing.

[@globemaster67]

Agree he is a bit of a jackass

[@leonardburns4589]

Stephan I feel for you. Hope your better soon !!!!

[@FightEuphoria]

I feel like we’re witnessing him whither away before our very eyes

[@superted2552]

God loves you stephan bonnar

[@superted2552]

@@SPIDERM0OSE GOD gave Stephan special gifts ,also the highest highs come with the lowest lows .You're negativity doesn't help any one and you 're ignorance is deafening .....

[@fightgametruth3848]

It is sad how when you go to any doctor as a human in general Automatically you say pain your drugs seeking you're an adict Not that this guy used to be a fighter he's in pain And even if he was addicted to opioids It wouldn't Nobody who have to live comfortable God bless Stephen Bonnor A god loving And caring man And if he ever needed anything that UFC should have been there immediately financially Or any support way that is half of the saving of the sport

[@aWomanFreed]

They had him $4 million in debt when he died. The UFC is run by a den of vipers.

[@josephdorino8250]

Stay Strong Stephan !!!

[@thebeardedangler8714]

rest in peace Stephan

[@manspider6669]

You can’t mention the modern day UFC without mentioning Stephan Bonnar, RIP!!

[@korbindallas8224]

You would think one of the billionaires that banked off this man would swoop in and give him some help.

[@RandomEvents_]

unfortunately you cant help someone who doesnt have a problem, he just needs meds so theres nothing ufc or anyone else can do until he realizes he has a problem

[@langtryvlogme]

@@RandomEvents_ Not only is your user name Random Events, but your comments are also pretty random and uniformed.

[@RandomEvents_]

@@langtryvlogme your comment is literally pointless. Mine is actually factual and true and if you've dealt with any substance abuse, youd know the same. Keep commenting your awesome knowledgeable comments buddy 👍🏼👊🏼✌🏼

[@aWomanFreed]

@@RandomEvents_ do you know him personally? No? Then YOU are the uninformed ahole projecting your addictions onto others. Get a clue or stfu

[@rampageblackston4926]

@@RandomEvents_ 20 years of fighting who he fought will do that. You think his body isn’t in need of pain medication? That’s probably what started it. Every fight they give you oxys it’s not surprising they get addicted

[@BellaGoosh]

LEGEND

[@Boobiejonshorts]

Rip King 💔 I can't believe it

[@zach872]

Feel better

[@warmeds2009]

Best of Luck Stephan Bonnar.....we hope you get well

[@MRxKRAZZY]

Someone needs to make sure he’s on track as often as possible. He could use it

[@matthewdessellessr8351]

You are the man I didn’t judge you from that video I knew it had to be bad if this man was trying that hard to get help

[@Anuskasv0]

Damn this is sad to see. Dana should get in touch with Stephan and help him.