Sad news reaches us from the sports world on Monday. Elias Theodorou is dead. The former UFC fighter died of cancer at the age of just 34. He had kept his serious illness a secret from the public.
He was one of the most promising UFC fighters. Now Elias Theodorou has died surprisingly at the age of only 34. According to reports, the martial artist was killed so early by a serious cancer.
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 is dead: Ex-UFC fighter dies of liver cancer at the age of 34
As reported by the “Daily Star”, among others, Theodorou had end-stage liver cancer. The Greek-born Canadian had hidden the illness from the public, saying only a small circle of trusted people were privy to his agony. His death was confirmed by his representatives. “Sadly, a representative for Elias Theodorou has confirmed previous reports that he passed away at the age of 34,” explained TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter. “Theodorou was privately battling stage 4 liver cancer and had only told a select circle of people about his diagnosis.”
Elias Theodorou fought for the UFC for five years
Between 2014 and 2019, Theodorou denied a total of eleven UFC fights. In May 2019 – after a loss to Derek Brunson – he was fired by league boss Dana White. At this point he was ranked 15th in the middleweight division. After his UFC exit, he won three fights in smaller leagues, he was last active in December 2021. He defeated Bryan Baker at a Promotion Colorado Combat Club event.
MMA fighter Elias Theodorou fought for cannabis policy reform in professional sports
During his career, he lobbied for the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to remove cannabis from the Prohibited Substances List. He became the first professional athlete in the United States to receive a medical cannabis exemption. Theodorou justified his need with severe pain from which he had suffered as a result of nerve damage. The man with the long brown hair also acted as a “ring boy” for the women’s MMA league Invicta.
