The MMA world is in mourning with the news that Mississauga, Ontario fighter and medical cannabis trailblazer Elias Theodorou has passed away at age 34 following a private battle with Stage 4 liver cancer.
MMA promoter Invicta FC expressed their condolences to their “ring boy” on their official Twitter.
He only shared his diagnosis with those who were close to him.
The long-haired fan-favourite was a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and made his UFC debut in 2014. The middleweight was also famous for being the first professional athlete in North America to receive a sanctioned medical cannabis exemption by a governing body in British Columbia in 2020. He would receive a second such exemption in Colorado a year later. Last December, he became the first fighter to participate under with a therapeutic use exemption in the United States when he defeated Bryan Baker at Colorado Combat Club 10.
Fighter Michael Chiesa posted this emotional video tribute.
Theodorou started out as a cast member on The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia, and competed on the Amazing Race Canada with ex-girlfriend Max Altamuro. He also attended Humber College in Etobicoke, Ontario.
