2. Forrest Griffin
Griffin took Season 1 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” and his unforgettable three-round donnybrook with Stephen Bonnar at the finale remains the standard by which all other fights are judged. It is also largely credited for breathing new life into what was then a dead UFC brand. Griffin has gone on to accomplish much more. In September 2007, he stunned the mixed martial arts world by submitted 2005 Pride Fighting Championships middleweight grand prix winner Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. Ten months later, he became the first man spawned by the reality series to win a UFC championship when he upset Quinton “Rampage” Jackson by unanimous decision to capture the light heavyweight crown at UFC 86. Injuries have slowed the 32-year-old of late, along with his ill-fated encounters against Rashad Evans and Anderson Silva. Though he has not fought since losing his rematch to Rua at UFC 134, Griffin will likely close out his trilogy with Tito Ortiz later this year.
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