Elias Theodorou facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elias Theodorou
Theodorou at UFC 231
Born	Elias Michael Theodorou (1988-05-31)May 31, 1988 Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Died	September 11, 2022(2022-09-11) (aged 34) Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada
Other names	The Spartan
Nationality	Canadian
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
Division	Middleweight
Reach	75+1⁄2 in (192 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Team	Grants MMA Tapout Burlington Tristar Gym
Rank	Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Dark blue belt in Muay Thai
Years active	2011–2022
Mixed martial arts record
Total	22
Wins	19
By knockout	8
By submission	1
By decision	10
Losses	3
By decision	3

Elias Michael Theodorou (May 31, 1988 – September 11, 2022) was a Canadian mixed martial artist. He competed for the UFC in the Middleweight division where he was ranked 13th until his release, and won The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia.

Background

Theodorou was born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, of Greek descent, and attended Meadowvale Secondary School. He went to Humber College to earn a B.A Degree in Creative Advertising, but after Theodorou's first year in college, he chose to take MMA classes as a workout before opting to pursue MMA as a career.

Mixed martial arts career

The Ultimate Fighter

In December 2013, it was announced that Theodorou would be a cast member on The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia, representing Canada at Middleweight. He defeated Zein Saliba in the Quarterfinals and defeated Tyler Manawaroa in the semifinals. After semifinals, he went to Phuket Province, Thailand, to train at Tiger Muay Thai with coach Patrick Côté.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Theodorou defeated MFC vet Sheldon Westcott via TKO due to punches and elbows in the second round at The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale to win the Middleweight tournament.

Theodorou faced Bruno Santos on October 4, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 54. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Theodorou faced Roger Narvaez on March 14, 2015 at UFC 185. After a first round in which Narvaez seemed to control, Narvaez suffered a broken arm in the second round after an attempt to block a kick from Theodorou. Subsequently, Theodorou was able to get a TKO stoppage with a flurry of punches shortly thereafter.

Theodorou faced Thiago Santos on December 10, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 80. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Theodorou next faced Sam Alvey June 18, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 89. The bout remained on the feet for nearly all of its duration in a largely uneventful fight where neither fighter was able to deliver any significant offense. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Theodorou faced Cezar Ferreira on February 19, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 105. He won the fight via a controversial unanimous decision.

Theodorou faced Brad Tavares on July 7, 2017 at The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Theodorou faced Dan Kelly on November 19, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 121. He won via unanimous decision.

Theodorou faced Trevor Smith on May 27, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 130. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Theodorou was expected to face Antônio Carlos Júnior on September 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 137. However, Júnior pulled out on August 28 due to injury. The pairing was expected to be left intact and rescheduled for December 8, 2018, at UFC 231. On September 13, 2018, it was reported that Júnior was forced to withdraw from his bout with Theodorou yet again, citing a surgery is required on the injury that caused the cancellation of his first scheduled bout with Theodorou. On October 1, 2018, it was reported Júnior was replaced by Eryk Anders. Theodorou won the fight via a highly controversial split decision.

Theodorou faced Derek Brunson on May 4, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 151. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

On May 26, 2019 it was reported that Theodorou was released by the UFC.

Post-UFC career

At the first bout after UFC release, Theodorou fought Hernani Perpetuo at Prospect Fighting Championships 12 on December 6, 2019. He won the fight in the third round via TKO.

Theodorou faced fellow UFC veteran Matt Dwyer at Rise FC 6 on March 13, 2021. He won the fight via third-round technical knockout.

Theodorou faced Bryan Baker on December 18, 2021 at Colorado Combat Club 10. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Death

Theodorou died from stage four colon cancer that metastasized to the liver on September 11, 2022, at the age of 34. He had been battling the disease for some time, but it was kept private from the public until his death.

Championships and awards

• Extreme Cage Combat
  • ECC Middleweight Championship (One time)
• North American Allied Fight Series
  • NAAFS Middleweight Championship (One time)
• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • The Ultimate Fighter Nations Middleweight Tournament Winner

Other ventures

Theodorou and his ex-girlfriend, Max Altamuro, a retail manager living and working in Toronto, competed on the third season of The Amazing Race Canada. They placed 12th in their current home city of Toronto and were the first team to be eliminated from the race. Theodorou also served as a "ring boy" for the all-female MMA promotion Invicta Fighting Championships.

Theodorou was involved in a film called Last Hit in which he will portray an MMA fighter who is forced to retire but then takes up e-sports.

Mixed martial arts record

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

Filmography