MMA world learned of another tragic passing recently.
Rising prospect with the same nickname as Stephan Bonnar passed away days after Bonnar. Bonnar’s passing made a lasting impression in the MMA fandom. UFC announced on Christmas eve, while in reality Bonnar passed away on the 22nd.
2022 was particularly volatile for mixed martial artists.
Previously, UFC fans mourned for light heavyweight Anthony Johnson who passed away on November 13 due to illness. Several days later Power rangers alumni Jason David Frank was also confirmed as a victim of suicide.
UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar also passed away. Both UFC and a law enforcement officer with inside knowledge of the situation confirmed that Bonnar passed away on December 22. He died at the age of 45 years old due to heart related issues. Official cause of death hasn’t been released.
Stephan Bonnar was one of the most famous UFC veterans. He competed in the UFC from 2005 to 2013 and was widely credited with saving the promotion. He competed against several tough opponents, including as Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Jon Jones, and Anderson Silva.
Really odd two LHW MMA fighters with the nickname American Psycho passed away on the same guy rip to them both pic.twitter.com/dEYymi5RAx
— Benny P 🇦🇺 (@Bendaman2001) December 25, 2022
Not long after the announcement of his death, news emerged that another mixed martial artist, Tanner Marlow, has passed away. Marlow died on December 22 at the age of 30 years old.
Both Bonnar and Marlow were Las Vegas residents and competed in the light heavyweight division. What’s more striking is that the two also shared the same nickname: The American Psycho.
Tanner Marlow gets it done! Not sure how much longer he would have lasted if the fight continued. #LFA134 pic.twitter.com/7uJWVfjVrD
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) June 11, 2022
Tanner Marlow was still undefeated with 4 victories. He made his professional debut in 2012 but started to be more active in recent years. His latest outing was back in June against Joel Guzman within Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA).
His training team, Team Iridium, announced his death on social media, saying that Marlow was their most promising unbeaten prospect.
We're heartbroken over the tragic passing of our #TeamIridium brother Tanner Marlow. Tanner is remembered fondly as one of the most promising prospects in MMA, and a very proud family man. We extend our sincerest condolences & prayers to his family, friends & team at this time. pic.twitter.com/a0QXXKFfpt
— IridiumSportsAgency (@TeamIridiumISA) December 25, 2022
Marlow was reportedly shot and killed in a double homicide over a woman early during Christmas Eve. This is unconfirmed and there are no official news outlets reporting on the incident at this time.