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3. Of Ultimate Importance
“The Ultimate Fighter 1” Finale
April 9, 2005 | Las Vegas
Separating the reality of the first fight between Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin from the mythologizing that has followed it is difficult if not entirely impossible now, nearly a decade after the fact. UFC President Dana White has repeatedly called it the most important fight in the promotion’s history, saying that the second season of “The Ultimate Fighter” and the UFC Fight Night events that helped spread the product would not have happened without it. Highlights from the fight play in the montage that accompanies every live UFC event.

Essentially, Griffin-Bonnar 1 is the cornerstone in the UFC’s foundation myth, the catalyst that sets on course the rebirth of the phoenix. In reality, the first season of the show had been a tremendous ratings success, the second season was already in production and casting and Spike TV’s relationship with the UFC already seemed relatively secure. Nevertheless, the fight did attract new viewers to the promotion, it did in fact come at the most important possible time, and it did help to turn Griffin and Bonnar into stars after their runs on the reality show.

To reach the finale, Bonnar defeated Bobby Southworth and Mike Swick, while Griffin took out Alex Schoenauer and Sam Hoger. Both were young -- 28 and 25, respectively -- and had good records, and they were clearly talented, with a willingness to fight aggressively.

That is exactly what happened. From the opening minute, the two fighters traded shots, with Griffin putting in steady work with punch-kick combinations and clean angles and Bonnar landing big counters and the occasional flashy shot. The fight ended with the two bloodied and exhausted competitors each raising their hands to the sky, and while Griffin earned a unanimous decision victory, both walked away with a contract for their troubles.

The process of mythologizing the fight began with announcers Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg as it happened, and White has used it as a benchmark forever after.

Number 2 » Kick Heard ’Round the World