Elias Theodorou Has Passed Away

Professional mixed martial arts fighter Elias Theodorou, best known for his advocacy on behalf of athletes who use cannabis, has died of cancer, his family announced Monday. He was 34.

"Elias 'The Spartan' Theodorou answered his final bell yesterday, September 11th, 2022," his family said in a statement.

"He passed peacefully at home with his family and loved ones in his corner after a hard-fought fight with colon cancer that metastasized."

MMA promoter UFC on Monday said the "affable Toronto native" led a career and a life to be proud of.

"Elias Theodorou made an impact in his 34 years, one that won’t be forgotten," UFC said.

Theodorou left UFC in 2019 with a 16-3 record overall and an 8-3 record in the sport's top league. One of his last bouts was in December, when he beat Bryan Baker at an event called Colorado Combat Club 10.

Theodorou is perhaps equally known for his medical cannabis advocacy, noted for having earned Canada's first cannabis exemption for professional athletes in 2020.