Former UFC fighter and hashish advocate Elias Theodorou has died of most cancers on the age of 34. Theodorou died on Sunday surrounded by his household and family members "after a hard-fought struggle with colon most cancers that metastasized," in line with a assertion posted on his web site and social media accounts on Monday.
"He confronted his finish as he lived his life eternally, irrationally, and infectiously optimistic," the assertion mentioned. "It is unimaginable to seize each side or all of his accomplishments in a easy submit so to "make it an extended story quick.""
The Canadian blended martial arts fighter had a profession professional report of 19 wins and three losses. He competed within the UFC's middleweight division and rose to No. 13 till he was launched from the corporate in 2019. He went on to compete in three different fights exterior of UFC and went undefeated.
In 2020, Theodorou grew to become the primary skilled athlete in North America publicly recognized to obtain a therapeutic use exemption for medical hashish, which was granted by the British Columbia Athletic Fee. He mentioned hashish helped him along with his bilateral neuropathy, a results of injury to the nerves positioned exterior of the mind and spinal twine.
Forward of his struggle with Bryan Baker final 12 months, he spoke with CBS Information about his medical hashish advocacy and mentioned he was "very proud" of his work.
"There's been sure athletes which have been persecuted for his or her drugs, but in addition penalized as nicely, taking away any kind of win, whether or not it is in blended martial arts, or clearly the Olympics," Theodorou instructed CBS Information. "And that comes from an outdated mindset, with regard to hashish as a drug."
Tributes poured in for the Canadian fighter on-line. UFC's editorial director Thomas Gerbasi wrote Theodorou was somebody "who made everybody concentrate as quickly as they noticed him."
"It was a profession and life to be happy with, and one which ended too quickly. However identical to he needed it, Elias Theodorou made an influence in his 34 years, one that will not be forgotten," Gerbasi mentioned.
Journalist Ariel Helwani, who covers MMA, mentioned Theodorou was "nice soul when you knew him" and "all the time had a terrific smile on his face."
Colon most cancers is predicted to be the highest most cancers killer for individuals beneath the age of fifty by 2030, in line with the advocacy group LeadfromBehind.