Throwback Stephan Bonnar vs. Forrest Griffin - First fight (Rate It)

[ClosetVitorFan]

It helped put ufc on the map mainstream wise. It was an excellent fight. You couldn't have scripted s better fight for the mainstream viewers to get into. People don't understand how many viewers ufc poached from prowrestling. I think they were both on spike TV too. Wwf didn't see them as competition at the time.

 

[jimmy dakine]

Some comments here about the idea that it was a brawl...so what? Why cant brawls be great? It was great for several reasons...fighting spirit...heart...the timing as that fight propelled the UFC...back and forth action....would you dismiss Shogun vs Henderson as mediocre because it was a brawl? It was AWESOME and still my all time favorite fight...I couldnt believe it at the time...it was great.

 

[immyaxl]

It helped put ufc on the map mainstream wise. It was an excellent fight. You couldn't have scripted s better fight for the mainstream viewers to get into. People don't understand how many viewers ufc poached from prowrestling. I think they were both on spike TV too. Wwf didn't see them as competition at the time.

Vince could've bought Pride & the UFC within about a 4 or 5 year period & virtually killed the sport. In the early 2000's most of the MMA fans were converted pro wrestling fans. Less people watch pro wrestling then at any time in history right now.

 

[TJH Exitium]

One of the best. For multiple reasons.

Being the first TUF they were both fighting so hard to get that UFC contract that was on the line, they both gave everything they had

I rewatched it as soon as I heard the news of Bonnar's passing.
I feel like the fight was better than I remembered it.
Neither were technical marvels but it wasn't as sloppy as I remembered - just wild and both guys fighting with everything they had.

Bonnar collapsing on the canvas in disappointment (and being a goofy guy) when the decision was announced. I think the decision was fair but don't blame anyone for seeing it the other way

The commentators saying they think both should get the contract - which ended up happening (and more or less became the norm because UFC abandoned the concept of only awarding contract to the winner)

EDIT
I also remember getting many texts from all kinds of people saying "hey are you watching this fight?"
and it overshadowed Diego's win which was also a huge moment

 

[2004 account]

It was a good but overrated for being a brawl

 

[StonedLemur]

The Fertettis also had to pay money to keep TUF going in the first place; many don't know that.

That was the last 10-15 million they invested.
If that didn't work they were gonna eat the loss.

That 10-15 million paid for everything in that season, all production etc.

They were already down like 30 million.

 

[Chomsky Honk]

9/10. Very important fight for the history of MMA, a non-stop bloody brawl, cool aesthetics with the old TUF shorts and old-school Rogan/Goldie commentary.

 

[StonedLemur]

9/10. Very important fight for the history of MMA, a non-stop bloody brawl, cool aesthetics with the old TUF shorts and old-school Rogan/Goldie commentary.

Merry Christmas ma'am.

 

[Sweater of AV]

9

 

[BEATDOWNS]

And to think Dana turned down the idea of TUF when it first came up. Lorenzo had to step in and remind Dana of his place. Without Lorenzo there probably wouldn't be a UFC today.

 

[TCE]

An 8 for me. The context, coming off the first TUF, it being absolute fucking crazy.

But I've seen much better fights (i.e Polo Reyes/DHK, Melendez/Sanchez, Hunt/Bigfoot, etc.)

 

[BEATDOWNS]

9/10 mainly for the impact it had at the time but it is a bit dated by now. It's a fun brawl and i do remember thinking Bonnar edged it.

 

[Lax617]

The fight was very exciting and it was a landmark event for the UFC, but in terms of skill not so much. Like others said it was a slugfest/brawl.

 

[Kyojiro Kagenuma]

Sad that Bonnar has passed, but he'll always be remembered for this.

It's sad that his most remembered fight is a loss

 

[HockeyBjj]

Entertainment- 9/10

Technical skill- 6/10

what it meant to mixed martial arts in America?- 12/10

 

[JustBleed69]

Purely on the fight itself, 8/10, but the stakes and what the fight represent make it a 10/10.

 

[BEATDOWNS]

The Fertettis also had to pay money to keep TUF going in the first place; many don't know that.

isn't that how almost every new business venture works lol

 

[HockeyBjj]

It's sad that his most remembered fight is a loss

Sure it’s a loss. But him being half of the fight that saved mma and was a warrior throughout is still a heck of a thing to be remembered for

 

[Small Town Andrew]

I have it a 9/10 it was a very good fight but not in my top 10 or maybe top 20.

 

[Lee_]

isn't that how almost every new business venture works lol

Yes, you have to put money up ahead of time, but usually you get paid for being on TV- you don't pay others so that you can appear (except commercials and such). Not how most of us would think a sport on TV would go.