May 3, 2019; Ottawa, ON, Canada; Elias Theodorou poses as he weighs in during weigh ins for UFC Fight Night at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Former UFC fighter, cannabis advocate Elias Theodorou has died.

According to sources, Elias Theodorou has died following a secret battle with cancer.

Out of respect for his family, FanSided will not reveal specific details at this time.

Theodorou, of Canada, competed in the UFC’s middleweight division and was ranked No. 13 in that division at one time. He exited the UFC in 2019 and competed three more times after that under the Colorado Combat Club, Rise FC, and Prospect Fighting Championships banners. All three were wins.

Theodorou was known by fans for his infamous long hair and good looks and was even a male ring card boy for the all-female MMA promotion Invicta.

He fought hard to allow cannabis to be legalized for fighters and was the first professional athlete to receive a Therapeutic Use Exemption for cannabis in North America in January 2020.

Our thoughts are with Theodorou’s family at this time.

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