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LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 23: UFC President Dana White attends a news conference for the bout between boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor at the KA Theatre at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on August 23, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather and McGregor will meet in a super welterweight boxing match at T-Mobile Arena on August 26 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 23: UFC President Dana White attends a news conference for the bout between boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor at the KA Theatre at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on August 23, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather and McGregor will meet in a super welterweight boxing match at T-Mobile Arena on August 26 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The MMA world was devastated by the sad demise of former UFC middleweight Elias Theodorou. Several people from the MMA world reacted to the sad passing of ‘The Spartan’.
Dana White also shared his thoughts on late UFC fighter Elias Theodorou at the post-fight press conference for the Dana White contender series.
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The interviewer asked White, “MMA world lost Elias Theodorou this week. I just want your thoughts on him. He was a TUF winner, nicest guy”
White to this replied, “So crazy and I don’t know where because he didn’t tell anybody. What he was going through and for a guy that young, that healthy. It’s just horrible man. It’s sad and yeah, I don’t know what else to say.”
What was the cause of Elias Theodorou’s death?
The former UFC fighter was just 34 years old when he lost his life to colon cancer. The Canadian had kept his illness private and only a few knew about his diagnosis.

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CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 09: UFC President Dana White looks on during the UFC 225: Whittaker v Romero 2 event at the United Center on June 9, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Theodorou, also known as ‘the spartan’, was a 22-fighter MMA veteran, moreover, he had a record of 8-3 in the UFC. The fighter entered the company in 2014 after winning TUF, and he competed till 2019.
He had notable wins over fighters like Sam Alvey, Dan Kelly, Eryk Anders, and Cezar Ferreira.
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The UFC released him from the company after his loss against UFC middleweight Derek Brunson at UFC fight night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy in Canada.
The Spartan became the first professional athlete to receive a therapeutic use exemption for cannabis in North America in January 2020, which was granted by British Columbia Athletic Commission.
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Theodorou died from stage four colon cancer that metastasized to the liver on September 11, 2022, at the age of 34. He had been battling the disease for a while, however; he kept it private from the public until his death.
Dana White & the MMA World mourns Theodorou’s demise
When his death was announced, the MMA world was in utter shock. Fighters took to their social media to pay homage to Elias Theodorou.
Rest In Peace my friend. @EliasTheodorou pic.twitter.com/r51KnalsHL
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) September 12, 2022
Michael Chiesa posted a video where he shared his thoughts on the tragedy.
I can't believe! terrible news! RIP my friend Elias Theodorou 🙏🏾😞 it’s was a pleasure to share the octagon with you my brother
— Thiago “Marreta” Santos (@TMarretaMMA) September 12, 2022
While his former opponent, Thiago Santos wrote an emotional tweet that said, “I can’t believe! terrible news! RIP my friend Elias Theodorou. it was a pleasure to share the octagon with you, my brother”
Wow. Loss for words on hearing the news on one of the nicest guys I’ve met in this sport. #RIP Elias. This is saddening
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 12, 2022
The bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling, chimed in saying, “Wow. Loss for words on hearing the news on one of the nicest guys I’ve met in this sport. #RIP Elias. This is saddening”
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Oh man, It’s so sad to hear about Elias Theodorou. May he Rest In Peace.
— Tanner Boser (@BulldozerBoser) September 12, 2022
Meanwhile, fellow Canadian heavyweight, Tanner Boser tweeted, “Oh man, It’s so sad to hear about Elias Theodorou. May he Rest In Peace”
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