Two decades ago, a gritty, unforgettable brawl between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar turned the tide for a struggling UFC. On April 9, 2005, the light heavyweight finale of the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter didn't just crown a winner—it revived an entire promotion. Today, Griffin looks back at that night with humility and a touch of disbelief, recognizing the role their three-round war played in launching MMA into the mainstream. For him, the 20-year milestone marks both a celebration and a final farewell to the moment that changed his life.
Forrest Griffin remembers the night that changed everything
Forrest Griffin may have walked away with the win that night, but he insists the victory belonged to more than just him.
"It was a definitive moment for the sport, for the UFC, and it helped balance the books," Griffin told MMA Junkie.
At the time, the UFC was teetering on the edge financially. But the raw, blood-and-guts showdown between Griffin and the late Stephan Bonnar captivated audiences, driving up television ratings and helping solidify the UFC’s future. Though Bonnar didn’t win the fight, he too was awarded a contract—because how could you let a warrior like that walk?
Griffin, who went on to capture the UFC light heavyweight title and eventually be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame , acknowledges the fight’s legacy—but isn’t planning to keep revisiting it.
"I think 20 years, we can celebrate it one last time and then forget about it forever," Griffin said. "I don't really notice it, and then last year someone said the 19th year, and I was like, 'Holy crap, no way.' So 20 years is pretty cool, though. For me, this is bigger than like a high school graduation. For the guys who were on the show, it's pretty cool I think."
The fight was immortalized in the Hall of Fame. Bonnar, who tragically passed away in December 2022 due to an accidental fentanyl overdose, was present at the induction ceremony. Griffin fondly recalled their friendship over the years.
"Obviously Stephan was a big part of it. We became friends after. We pal'd around," Griffin said. "It's funny – he lived in Vegas for a while and we would always do fun gigs together. He was one of those people who was like, 'Hey, I've got a great idea,' and you're like, 'It's probably not, but let's do it anyway.'"
Also Read: Alex Pereira prepares for UFC comeback through tribal rituals and spiritual healing
Twenty years on, Forrest Griffin still carries the weight and wonder of that unforgettable night. While he's ready to let the memory rest, the legacy of his and Bonnar’s war will live forever in UFC history . It's not just a fight fans remember—it's the fight that helped save a sport.
Forrest Griffin remembers the night that changed everything
Forrest Griffin may have walked away with the win that night, but he insists the victory belonged to more than just him.
"It was a definitive moment for the sport, for the UFC, and it helped balance the books," Griffin told MMA Junkie.
At the time, the UFC was teetering on the edge financially. But the raw, blood-and-guts showdown between Griffin and the late Stephan Bonnar captivated audiences, driving up television ratings and helping solidify the UFC’s future. Though Bonnar didn’t win the fight, he too was awarded a contract—because how could you let a warrior like that walk?
Griffin, who went on to capture the UFC light heavyweight title and eventually be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame , acknowledges the fight’s legacy—but isn’t planning to keep revisiting it.
The night that changed everything 👊
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2025
20 years ago today, Forrest Griffin won Season 1 of @UltimateFighter in a fight that changed the entire sport 🏆 pic.twitter.com/vAN6wB22GI
"I think 20 years, we can celebrate it one last time and then forget about it forever," Griffin said. "I don't really notice it, and then last year someone said the 19th year, and I was like, 'Holy crap, no way.' So 20 years is pretty cool, though. For me, this is bigger than like a high school graduation. For the guys who were on the show, it's pretty cool I think."
The fight was immortalized in the Hall of Fame. Bonnar, who tragically passed away in December 2022 due to an accidental fentanyl overdose, was present at the induction ceremony. Griffin fondly recalled their friendship over the years.
"Obviously Stephan was a big part of it. We became friends after. We pal'd around," Griffin said. "It's funny – he lived in Vegas for a while and we would always do fun gigs together. He was one of those people who was like, 'Hey, I've got a great idea,' and you're like, 'It's probably not, but let's do it anyway.'"
Also Read: Alex Pereira prepares for UFC comeback through tribal rituals and spiritual healing
Twenty years on, Forrest Griffin still carries the weight and wonder of that unforgettable night. While he's ready to let the memory rest, the legacy of his and Bonnar’s war will live forever in UFC history . It's not just a fight fans remember—it's the fight that helped save a sport.
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