Forrest Griffin reminisces about his legendary fight with Stephan Bonnar on “The Ultimate Fighter,” highlighting their friendship, the fight’s impact on UFC’s mainstream success, and Bonnar’s adventurous spirit.
Forrest Griffin always has a tale to tell about Stephan Bonnar and their legendary clash on The Ultimate Fighter. Their April 9, 2005, showdown is often hailed as one of UFC’s most pivotal moments. Griffin emerged victorious, claiming the light heavyweight tournament crown in the first-ever TUF season. This bout, now enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame Fight wing, is frequently credited with propelling the promotion into the mainstream.
Recently, on the Verse Us podcast, Griffin reminisced about his bond with Bonnar, who passed away in 2022. Bonnar, known as "The American Psycho," truly lived up to his nickname. "We became buddies," Griffin shared. "He’s a weirdo, I’m a weirdo. He’s nuts. But he means well. You know, the kind of guy who makes you do crazy things in your 20s."
Griffin recounted a wild night out, saying, "We were walking into a bar, and these three dudes were messing with us. Out of nowhere, Bonnar head-kicks their leader. In dress clothes! We were all in shock." The other guys just picked up their friend, and everyone moved on. They entered the club, hoping no one noticed.
Initially, Griffin and Bonnar didn’t hit it off on the show. Before they faced each other in the TUF tournament, tensions ran high. Griffin even clashed with season coach Randy Couture. "Randy didn’t like me right away," Griffin admitted. "I clashed heads with Stephan, and it was a big cut."
Griffin also had a rough start with Mike Swick. "I didn’t know Swick was good," he said. "He shot and took me down, so I threw him on the concrete." Couture wasn’t pleased with Griffin’s aggressive sparring style. But despite the rocky beginnings, Griffin eventually earned Couture’s respect and was invited to train with him post-TUF.
The fight with Bonnar aired live on Spike TV, drawing massive attention. It was a non-pay-per-view event, captivating casual viewers as Griffin and Bonnar delivered an instant classic. Competing for a six-figure UFC contract, neither realized how this fight would shape MMA history.
"You could feel the stomping in the cage," Griffin recalled. He had fought worldwide, but this was different. "After that fight, I knew my life was changed."