Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar

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Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The fight was credited by Dana White as the "most important fight in UFC history".[2] The fight was also voted the greatest fight in UFC history in 2009.[3]

Background

Main article: The Ultimate Fighter 1

The first season of The Ultimate Fighter

light heavyweight. Coaches Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell were selected to mentor the contestants.[4]
The contestants were distributed evenly between two teams, and a series of exhibition matches were held until only two fighters from each weight class remained. The finalists appeared on national television in the show finale and competed for a contract with the UFC.

Forrest Griffin, coached by Chuck Liddell, and Stephan Bonnar, coached by Randy Couture, met in the light heavyweight final.[5]

Both fighters defeated two opponents to make it to the final. On episode seven, Stephan Bonnar defeated Bobby Southworth from Team Liddell in a split decision.

armbar submission.[6]

The Ultimate Fighter Finale

DateApril 9, 2005
Title(s) on the lineTUF 1 Light Heavyweight Division Champion
Tale of the tape
Boxer United States Forrest Griffin United States Stephan Bonnar
Nickname American Psycho
Hometown Augusta, Georgia Munster, Indiana
Pre-fight record 9–2 9–1
Result
Forrest Griffin wins by unanimous decision; both fighters receive six–figure UFC contracts

The finale was held at the

Spike TV. It was refereed by Herb Dean
and was slated for three 5-minute rounds, the standard UFC format for non-title fights.

Neither fighter offered to "touch gloves" (a gesture of sportsmanship) as the fight began. Both fighters exchanged punches and the occasional low kicks, with Griffin gaining a slight advantage (according to color commentator

The War
).

Early in the second round, a jab by Bonnar created a cut on Griffin's nose, prompting the referee to stop the fight so a doctor could check the cut and clear Griffin to continue. He was cleared, and the fight continued as Bonnar controlled Griffin with a Muay Thai clinch and delivered several knees to Griffin's face. The round ended with Griffin failing a takedown attempt, and Bonnar defending Griffin's offensive Thai clinch.

In the third and final round, Griffin started with low kicks and punches; Bonnar attempted to counterattack from a distance. Griffin delivered several knees from the Thai clinch. Mid-round, Bonnar landed several short punches while infighting. However, Bonnar counterattacked only when opportunities were present. The round ended with Griffin holding Bonnar in a Thai clinch and attacking with knees, followed by a short exchange of punches.

All three judges scored the fight 29–28 in favor of the winner, Forrest Griffin, but because of Stephan Bonnar's outstanding performance, Dana White also granted Stephan a UFC contract on the spot.[7]

The UFC awarded Griffin a contract, as well as a

Scion car, a dirt bike, and an Audemars Piguet watch.[8]

Rematch at UFC 62

DateAugust 26, 2006
Tale of the tape
Boxer United States Forrest Griffin United States Stephan Bonnar
Nickname American Psycho
Hometown Augusta, Georgia Munster, Indiana
Pre-fight record 12–3 10–3
Result
Forrest Griffin wins by unanimous decision

Griffin and Bonnar met again as the co-main event of UFC 62, with Griffin winning another unanimous decision. Following the bout, Bonnar tested positive by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for boldenone, a banned anabolic steroid, and received a nine-month suspension and a $5,000 fine.[9]

References

  1. ^ "2005 FIGHT OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED - MMA WEEKLY - Mixed Martial Arts & UFC News, Photos, Rankings & more". Mma Weekly. 2005-12-25. Archived from the original on September 26, 2007. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  2. ^ Meltzer, Dave. "UFC's greatest hits: the middle years - MMA - Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  3. Spike
    .
  4. ^ "UFC 52 - Randy Couture vs. Chuck Liddell: Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Bruce Buffer, Patrick Cote, Joe Doerksen, Mike Goldberg, Royce Gracie, Matt Hughes, 'Big' John McCarthy, Jason Miller, Joe Riggs, Joe Rogan, Anthony Giordano, Joe Silva: Movies & TV". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  5. ^ "Mma Submission: Iceman Says, "I'Ll Be Back." - Espn The Magazine". Sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  6. ^ a b c "Ultimate Fighter Season 1 Fighter Profile - Ultimate Fighter". Ultimate-fighter.ca. 1981-05-19. Archived from the original on 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  7. ^ a b "UFC : Ultimate Fighting Championship". Ufc.com. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  8. ^ [1] Archived July 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "NSAC Hands Down Fine, Suspension on Bonnar". Sherdog.com. 2006-11-04. Retrieved 2006-12-28.

External links

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