“My parents were in the stands and I gave both of them a heart attack during the fight, but once I got stitched up, I came out to show them that I was fine and they were the first to say how proud they were,” he said after the fight. “Luckily, the old adage says, ‘Chicks dig scars,’ so I walked away with one of those.”
He wouldn’t be down for long. In June 2016, he defeated Sam Alvey, and in his first fight of 2017, he decisioned Cezar Ferreira. A defeat to Brad Tavares followed, but in his final four trips to the Octagon, he won three of them, with victories over Dan Kelly, Trevor Smith and Eryk Anders taking him to Australia, England and back home to Toronto. The lone loss in that stretch saw him drop a decision to Derek Brunson, but he ended his career on a winning note, beating Hernani Perpetuo, Matt Dwyer, Bryan Baker on the regional circuit to put his record at 20-3.
It was a career and life to be proud of, and one that ended too soon. But just like he wanted it, Elias Theodorou made an impact in his 34 years, one that won’t be forgotten.
The UFC family sends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Elias Theodorou
