Issue 005
July 2005
The Ultimate Fighter TV Show Winner
Forrest Griffin won ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ TV Show. Dan ‘The Wolfman’ Theodore caught up with the former police officer and 11-2-0 fighter following his success.
FO: What’s up Forrest, how are you feeling?
Griffin: I’m good. I think as long as my weight is good then I am good.
FO: Since you brought up your weight, what weight are you now and how much will you have to cut before the weighing in?
Griffin: I have no idea where I am at now; I am about to go check. I am probably 212lbs or 213lbs. I walk around at 220 lbs. [Light-heavyweight class contestants need to be 205lbs and are allowed a 1lb overweigh.]
FO: Tell us something about little ‘Forrest Monkey’ growing up?
Griffin: I had an average childhood. It was me and my mom mostly. She was awesome and worked at my school. I am an ultimate ‘mamma’s boy’.
FO: What led you to become a police officer in Athens, Georgia and how long did you do that for?
Griffin: I actually worked [in] Athens for 2 years, and then Augusta, Georgia just under one year. I want to make the world a better place and know I am not going to cure cancer and I figured this is the best way I could help people.
FO: What’s the funniest or strangest thing you have seen as a cop?
Griffin: I have seen a lot of horrible things, like children in
houses that have dog faeces all over the ground. It’s a job that is dry on humour.
FO: Will you go back to law enforcement when your fighting career is someday over? I heard you wanted to join a federal agency like the FBI or the DEA, or something like that?
Griffin: Yeah, I’ll go back. I definitely want to pursue something with Homeland Security. Something where I can travel would be nice.
FO: What was being on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ like, and how has your life changed?
Griffin: It was a great experience to prove who is really a fighter and also learn about myself. Now I get to pursue my dreams full time. I can finally afford that sex change operation that I always wanted!
?FO: Is it true that you split up with your girlfriend, quit your job and put your stuff in storage to go on the show?
Griffin: Yeah, I did actually do all of that.
FO: Was that just because you’re a crazy, spontaneous guy or because you felt it was your destiny? It’s turned out pretty good for you, winning the contract,
making a living, and you’re about to fight on Pay Per View.
Griffin: I didn’t want to do those things but it came down to where I had to make a choice. Being away for two months causes problems in a relationship, and I had to do those things.
FO: What makes Forrest tick? You seem a little out there, are you religious or spiritual at all?
Griffin: No, not at all. I believe in what I see. But I really do want to help people. Like the Boy Scouts when they go in the wilderness, I figure you should leave this place a little better. If I can do more good than bad to stay on the good side of the balance sheet, then that is
my goal.
FO: Let’s play name association, what do you think of Chris Leben and ‘Spritzing’ on the other guy’s pillow?
Griffin: He’s great to party and train with, but he is hell to live with.
FO: What about fellow winner Diago Sanchez?
Griffin: He’s a hell of an athlete. He’s focused and driven.
FO: What about Josh Koschek and Bobbie Southworth spraying water on Leben, and Bobbie calling him a ’Fatherless Bastard’?
Griffin: Clearly it was wrong to follow him outside and to call
him that.
FO: What did you think of the ‘Vanilla Gorilla’ Lodune Sincaid?
Griffin: He’s all right. He was amusing; an interesting guy is what pops in my head when I hear his name.
FO: All right, what’s up with all the monkey business?
Griffin: If they put you in a house with nothing to do you will find something to do. So with no TV and books I figured I’d act like a monkey. TV helps make society complacent!
FO: What do you think about Sam Hoger and the whole hording thing? Did you happen to read what he said about you in the May issue of Fighters Only? [I quoted Hoger’s comments.]
Griffin: I don’t know what to make of that. I admitted I looked for stuff to take on the show too, but he beat me to it! We can get along for some of the time but we don’t need to be friends. I’ll stay out of his way and he can stay out of mine.
FO: Hoger beat Bobbie Southworth, what do you think about giving him a rematch?
Griffin: We will see what happens. Sam’s an awkward guy to
fight. Bobbie found that to be the same. If it’s in the cards I will fight anybody!
FO: Do you like Stephan Bonnar, and how do you feel after beating the hell out of each other on free TV and making more fans of Mixed Martial Arts?
Griffin: It was a great fight. I like him; he’s a good guy and a great fighter. I look forward to fighting him again!
FO: When would you like the rematch with Stephan Bonnar to happen? Are the UFC [Ultimate Fighting Championship] and SpikeTV pushing for it to happen on one of the live shows or is it likely to happen on Pay Per View?
Griffin:I don’t know. I just focus on the fight at hand. It’s already pretty hyped so I would put it on Pay Per View.
FO: What do you think of your fight against UFC newcomer Bill Mahood? Most of his wins are by TKO so his striking is his strong point. Are you glad to get someone that will hopefully stand with you?
Griffin: Yeah, he’s a gamer. He finishes hard. You’ve got to watch out for his right hand and right leg. If you slow up or get tired he will pick it up. It could be a great fight. [Griffin got a flawless victory, not getting hit and submitting his opponent!]
FO: You’re also good on the ground though, didn’t you just win a NAGA [North American Grappling Association] Grappling Tournament plus you have tapped out Chael Sonnen by triangle choke?
Griffin: Yeah, my grappling was pretty boring in the tournament but I am a decent grappler. I’m a jack-of-all-trades.
FO: What do you think of Jeremy Horn and do you ever want to fight him again?
Griffin: I love Horn. I grew up really liking him. He’s low-key and I love him. He will probably stay at 185 lbs and I am not going there. We’ll be OK. [Horn is now fighting Chuck Liddell for his 205lb UFC Light Heavyweight title, so maybe we will see a Horn and Griffin rematch someday.]
FO: I think you match up to make exciting fights against a lot of guys. I think you versus Hoger, Bonner, Horn, Vernon White and Rich Franklin would all be great fights.
Griffin: I agree, with the exception of Hoger. But maybe the Bonner match could be exciting, you never know.
FO: Let’s ask the important question, has being on TV helped with the ladies?
Griffin: Of course, man, of course. If I go to a bar and get a worker to mention it to a girl I am eyeing then I’m golden!
FO: What are your favourite movies?
Griffin: I’m a movie fanatic. My dream job is to work in a movie theatre and boss around 17 year old kids. I love ‘Unforgiven’ and ‘Bringing Up Baby’ with Katherine Hepburn.
FO: What are your thoughts on how you should live life?
Griffin: Have as much fun as you can have without hurting anyone or at the expense of others.
FO: Any parting words for the fans?
Griffin: Thank you just for being fans. I hope I do right by you.
