Born Stephen Patrick Bonnar on the 4th April 1977 in Hammond, Indiana USA, he is a retired mixed martial artist (MMA), and now a professional wrestler, perhaps best known to the world for being the runner-up in The Ultimate Fighter 1.
Have you ever wondered how rich Stephen Bonnar is, as of late 2017? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Bonnar’s net worth is as high as $500,000, an amount earned through his successful career in the MMA, active from 2001 until 2015.
Stephan Bonnar Net Worth $500,000
Although born in Hammond, Stephan grew up in Munster, where he went to Munster High School. From an early age Stephan was involved in combat sports, starting with wrestling when he was only 10 years old, then two years later he began attending Tae Kwon Do lessons, and later Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing and Muay Thai in his twenties. Stephan attended Purdue University – Indiana, from which he obtained a degree in Sports Medicine in 2000.
In his early years, Stephan earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and was Golden Gloves Champion on two occasions in the Super Heavyweight division. He made his professional debut in the MMA at IHC 3: Exodus against Brian Ebersole and recorded his first victory. He continued rather successfully, winning his next three fights, defeating such mixed martial artists as Josh Kruger, Jay Massey and Terry Martin, which only increased his net worth. However, his first loss came in 2003 in a fight against the legendary Lyoto Machida at the Jungle Fight 1 event in Manaus Brazil.
After the successful start of his career, Stephan was chosen for one of eight Light Heavyweight fighters for The Ultimate Fighter 1 and reached the finals, in which he lost to Forrest Griffin.
He remained in the UFC promotion, and after his loss to Griffin, Stephan lined-up three victories, against Sam Hoger, James Irvin and Keith Jardine. He then lost to Rashad Evans, and lost to Griffin again at the UFC 62, and after the match it was discovered that he had used a banned anabolic steroid Boldenone, and as a result was suspended for nine months, while he also had to pay a $5,000 fine. He returned to the UFC in July 2007 at the UFC 73 fighting against Mike Nichols, recording his 11th career victory, and then defeated Eric Schafer at the UFC 77.
He stayed away from fighting for the next two years, returning in 2009 at the UFC 94 against Jon Jones, however, he was defeated. He lined-up two more defeats, including by Krzysztof Soszynski, but the two fought in a rematch the same year, which Stephan won by technical knockout, which earned Fight of the Night honors, increasing his net worth by a large degree. He then defeated Igor Pokrajac at The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale, and Kyle Kingsbury at the UFC 139, which was his 15th win in the professional MMA career.
His last fight in the UFC was against Anderson Silva, which was his eighth career loss, and following the fight Stephan announced his retirement from the MMA. Also, after the fight, he was tested positive for yet another banned substance, Drostanolone.
He came out of retirement in 2014 when he signed with the Bellator MMA, and fought against Tito Ortiz, but lost again, though by split decision.
Most recently, Stephan joined the independent wrestling company, House of Glory, and made his debut against Sho Tanaka, defeating the NPJW wrestler and is looking to continue his career as a professional wrestler, despite his age.
Thanks to his successful career in the MMA, Stephan was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in July 2013.
Aside from fighting, Stephan’s wealth benefited also from his work as an MMA commentator for ESPN2 and Fox, among other TV channels.
Regarding his personal life, Stephan has been married to Andrea Brown since 2009; the couple has a child together, whose name is Griffin Brandon, given to him in honor to Stephan’s legendary fight against Forrest Griffin, and his wife’s deceased brother Brandon.
