“My parents were in the stands and I gave them a heart attack during the fight but once I was stitched up I came out to show them I was fine and they were the first to say how how proud they were,” he said after the fight. “Luckily the old saying goes, ‘Chicks dig scars,’ so I walked away with one.”
He wouldn’t stay long. In June 2016 he beat Sam Alvey, and in his first fight of 2017 he decided Cezar Ferreira. A loss to Brad Tavares followed, but in his last four trips to the Octagon he has won three, with victories over Dan Kelly, Trevor Smith and Eryk Anders taking him to Australia, England and Toronto. The only loss in that streak 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 a life to be proud of, and one that ended too soon. But just as he wanted, Elias Theodorou made an impact in his 34 years, an impact that will not be forgotten.
The UFC family sends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Elias Theodorou