Issue 090
July 2012
The perennial underdog whose TUF 1 success paved the way for his career, and the sport of MMA, to reach dizzying heights.
NEED TO KNOW
NAME: Forrest Griffin
AGE: 32
STARTED: 2001
DIVISION: Light-heavyweight
STYLE: All rounder
BASED: Xtreme Couture
RECORD: 18-7-0: 3 (T)KOS (16.66%); 7 SUBS (38.88%); 8 DECISIONS (44.44%)
How many fighters can say they made their debut against MMA legend Dan Severn? Not many. Hell, not many people can say they managed to last three rounds with the behemoth, but former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin can. He received a baptism of fire in his MMA debut against the UFC Hall of Famer and, judging by his incredible career, he’s a shoe-in to join him there one day.
Griffin made a name for himself with his goofy attitude and vicious fighting skills on The Ultimate Fighter. In what would be described as ‘one of the greatest fights in MMA history,’ Forrest and Stephan Bonnar went toe-to-toe in a three-round war at the TUF 1 finale with Griffin not only edging a 29-28 decision, but, with Bonnar, capturing the attention of the entire fight world.
After wins against Bonnar (for the second time) and Hector Ramirez, and losses to Keith Jardine and Tito Ortiz, Griffin took on ‘Shogun’ Rua in a fight that many believed he would lose. Griffin, however, would take the former Pride middleweight grand prix winner into deep waters, overwhelming him on the feet and ground, and eventually sinking in a fight-finishing rear naked choke.
Griffin would go on to coach the seventh season of TUF against Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, facing him for the 205lb title at the end of the season. In a major upset, Griffin beat Jackson, executing his game plan, of leg-kicking and taking Jackson down, to perfection. Always the underdog, once again Forrest had proved many of his critics wrong.
His reign wouldn’t last long, however, as he was pummeled by Rashad Evans is his next bout, to lose the UFC title. Nine months later, Griffin fought arguably the best martial artist in the world: Anderson Silva. And it took the Brazilian no more than one round to brutally knock out the former champion. Griffin returned three months later at UFC 106 to face off against former opponent Ortiz, this time winning via split decision.
Griffin was on a two fight win streak, until he was blasted away by another former opponent in Rua in 2011. He might not become champion again, but Griffin has proven time and time again to be a tough opponent for anyone in his division.
JIU-JITSU
After being involved in a number of stand-up wars, you wouldn’t think that Griffin would be considered a ground expert, but being a black belt in BJJ under ADCC champ Robert Drysdale is nothing to scoff at. Once Griffin gets the fight to the ground, he works continuously for the submission. So much so that out of his 18 career wins, seven have come via tapout.
UNDERDOG
For some reason, Griffin is usually considered the underdog against most of his opponents. Many believed that Shogun Rua, Rich Franklin and Rampage Jackson would defeat him, yet they were all beaten by the unassuming, always-joking Griffin. When so many doubt him, he somehow manages to come out with a victory.
GAME PLAN
Whenever Griffin fights you can bet that he’ll be sticking tight to the game plan. He may not do anything incredibly flashy, but keeping it simple has helped the former champion win 18 fights, and he automatically sets the pace because he knows exactly what he wants to do from start to finish.
CAREER SNAPSHOT
2001
Debuts against veteran Dan Severn, losing a unanimous decision to the much more experienced heavyweight. Griffin returns to the cage in under a month to finish 2001 with 1-1 record.
2005
Becomes a household name after starring in the UFC’s experimental show The Ultimate Fighter. Defeating Stephan Bonnar in the finale, Griffin launches himself and the UFC into the mainstream with this epic victory.
2007
Defeats Rampage Jackson for the UFC light heavyweight title. However, his rein would only last a few months as he was defeated by Rashad Evans at the end of the year.
2008
Defeats arguably the best light heavyweight in the world in former Pride GP champion Shogun Rua. The win solidifies Griffin as a top-five 205lb fighter.
2011
On an emotional night in Brazil, Forrest is knocked out cold by former opponent Shogun Rua in 1:53 seconds. However, with his wife in labor back in Las Vegas, all he cared about was getting home for the birth.
