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Stephan Bonnar deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. True or False?

  • True

    Votes: 12 18.2%
  • False

    Votes: 54 81.8%

True or False: Stephan Bonnar should be in the UFC HoF?

3K views 30 replies 27 participants last post by  MADDSNIPER 
#1 ·
Source: John Gross, ESPN.com

Bye, bye, Bonnar
Stephan Bonnar retired this week, and I believe the man will make good on his word.

In announcing his departure from the game, Bonnar told fans all he ever wanted to do was "bring y'all some fun." He lived up to that, no question about it.

How will he be remembered?

During a chat on ESPN.com Wednesday with Brett Okamoto, a question came up about Bonnar's consideration for the UFC Hall of Fame. I put little stock in the UFC HOF because of the way inductions are handled (totally the promoter's call), but it's an interesting question.

Bonnar played an important role in arguably the most important fight in UFC history. He lost to Forrest Griffin, but he brought the fun, y'all. And man, did he bring it. I was cage-side that night and wrote afterward that what we witnessed was the start of something special, a rise of an outlaw sport. And it was that, no question. But does that make Bonnar Hall of Fame worthy? I don't think so. Certainly Griffin-Bonnar 1 will always be commemorated in some fashion by the UFC, but putting Bonnar in the same class as Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Randy Couture and others is a step too far.

Bonnar is getting out at just the right time. He has his wits about him and probably will enjoy broadcasting opportunities. He's good in the booth and can be better if he calls it as he sees it. Bonnar will always have a home in the UFC, that you can bank on.

Update: News broke Friday that Bonnar tested positive for steroids following the Anderson Silva beatdown -- the second time he was popped for anabolics. If nothing else, it's a reminder that I should have mentioned his first positive result since UFC 62 (when he tested positive for boldenone). Thing is, this happens so often it's easy to forget, or gloss over, or I don't know.

Bottom line on this guy, he had one awesome fight that came at the perfect time while a bunch of people watched. Then he didn't do much with the rest of a career that included two positive tests for anabolic steroids.

Don't let the cage door hit you on the way out.

P.S.: Gracie and Shamrock tested positive for steroids, too ... I remember.
Thoughts? I don't think he should as he never really amounted to much in the UFC. Also, testing positive for steroids twice doesn't help his case.
 
#2 ·
Of course not. I don't even see an argument for why he should be. He was in a fight with Forrest Griffin. That's it. Yea it was a huge fight but he should have to do more than that. Not to mention he tested positive for steroids twice and lost both fights.

But realistically, any UFC fighter belongs in the Hall of Fame since Charles f@cking Lewis is in it.
 
#3 ·
Like Alphadawg said, Mask is in it.

So...sure, why not put him in, it's not Cooperstown or some shit.
 
#10 ·
Ah, it's not that bad. The only questionable entry is Mask, and we all know that was a token 'he's dead' gesture. I might not have inducted Mark Coleman, but I'm sure some people think he was important enough. There aren't really enough entries for it to be dubbed ridiculous just yet.
 
#29 ·
I disagree. They were all title holders, tournament winner, or superfight (open weight) champions.

We don't even have tournaments, or open weight classes anymore, so I don't have a problem with Shamrock, or Severn being in the HoF. Yes, I do belive they were also considered because they had a lot to do with growing the sport in the early days, but they were also at the top of the sport in their own time as well. There's no arguing that imo.
 
#18 ·
I vote no for putting Bonnar in the HoF. But whats so wrong with having Mask in there? I mean, he was the face for the biggest MMA Clothing brand out there. TapouT has sponsored at one time or another all of the biggest fighters. They sponsor the undercards guys and local fighters too. They even had a show on Versus that I liked watching. TapouT has been huge for the sport. He died in an untimely fashion and was put in to the HoF as a great gesture to remember him. Hell, his name is still on the Octagon a lot. I went to the first UFC event after his passing, UFN 18 in Nashville, and they left an empty chair next to Punkass and Skyscrape. Because tapout sponsors soooo f'in many people and are really the first huge company to come out of MMA, I support Mask in the HoF.
 
#22 ·
Agreed, I don't have too many problems putting mask in there. He basically pioneered MMA wear and sponsorship, but I wouldn't put him in there if he wasn't dead.

Fans might think its ridiculous because he's not a fighter and wore silly face paint, but you just have to think of him as being in the 'builder's' category, just like the hockey hall of fame has for non-players who contributed to the game

As for Bonnar, no. He simply wasn't good enough for era he was fighting. No belts, nothing really, just that one huge fight. If the UFC wants to make a category in the hall of fame for 'Hall of Fame fights' then fine, put Bonnar in there. Hall of Fames are supposed to celebrate excellence, Bonnar was an above average fighter who was caught cheating twice.
 
#19 ·
If he became the UFC champion and defeated a couple of legends then yes he should be in the hall of fame (sort of what Forrest Griffin did). As it stands, not only did he not become a champion he was a stepping stone for the up and comers of the sport. He couldn't even beat Mark" Freaking" Coleman. Worse, he tested positive for steroids on two occasions. Definitely not HOF material.
 
#21 ·
How do we know he wasn't on something even during the ultimate fighter? Back then I wouldn't even be surprised if they weren't tested at all.

Reminds me of baseball where your have to deal with deciding if the cheating was bad enough to ignore what they did for the sport. Don't let Bonnar in the hall of fame, don't let him be an analyst, when he comes up say nothing but good things. People will forget....most people who pay attention to the UFC probably aren't even aware he tested positive at any point.
 
#24 ·
What is the criteria of being in the hall of fame? Is it achievements? Helping the sport grow?

He did help the sport grow but based on achievements, not a chance. 8-7 inside the octagon, lost to every top fighter he faced, 2 time steroid user. He doesn't deserve it.

That said, Dana will put him in.
 
#28 ·
sport in no way would have grown as big and fast as it has with out Bonnar, that alone i think makes him deserving, on top of that every fight he came into put on a show not to win, he never had one boring fight that i can think of. He is not only a fighter but also has done countless commentary for the ufc as well.

He has done nothing but try and help the sport grow
 
#30 ·
He himself will not be in any HoF, ever. However, his name and a picture with him in it will be. Griffin/Bonnar 1 was the fight that started the MMA boom. Griffin/Bonnar 1 should be in the HoF. I don't know whether the UFC adds that kinda shit or if they just stick to having iconic figures and fighters in in?
 
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