The fight that started it all

April 9, 2005

It's the end of the first season of Ultimate Fighter (the show that started the "mainstream" version of UFC). It's down to the final two contestants in the light heavyweight division, Stephan Bonner and Forrest Griffin. Forrest was my pick for the win, but for the first part of the fight I was sorely disappointed in him. He was letting Stephan get the better of him, wearing him down, letting him bleed...not the Forrest I watched throughout the season. There was a hit to Forrest's nose by Stephan in the second round that almost stopped the fight but being the dedicated man that he is, Forrest wanted to continue and the referees let him. THAT'S when the fight really started. In the third and final round, it looked like the guys were starting to get tired. Forrest started the round with a few low kicks and small punches; Stephan retaliated with a few punches when the opportunity presented itself. It was a back and forth battle at that point where most people watching were saying it was Stephan's fight hands down. Finally, Stephan went to swing, but missed, and lost his balance just enough to give Forrest the edge. Forrest got him in a Thai clinch submission and in the end won the game. It was three 5 minute rounds of back and forth action where Stephan had the lead and then Forrest got a slight edge; Stephan would have that one punch that got him far ahead again. Forrest won by unanimous decision, got the contract and the prizes for winning the season but for being just a good of a fighter and making this fight the number 1 best fight of all time, Dana White (the owner of UFC) offered Stephan a contract as well. It's the fight that got me into UFC and if you haven't seen it...WATCH IT!