UFC HALL OF FAME: FIGHT WING:
”THE FIGHT”
FORREST GRIFFIN VS. STEPHAN BONNAR
Many fight fans, critics and even president Dana White consider this fight to be the single most influential and most important fight in the modern era of the UFC. On April 9th 2005 the first season of The Ultimate Fighter was wrapping up w/ the first non PPV MMA Event in history. This was a live card full of action packed fights including the two finals for the show. Those included Diego Sanchez defeating Kenny Florian to win the middleweight TUF contract and then the Griffin Vs. Bonnar fight to crown the Light heavyweight champion of the show. Neither fighter had an outstanding record and the fight wasn’t expected to do much other than fill time before the main event between Ken Shamrock and Rich Franklin. Upon the first bell ringing, that next 15 minutes shaped the UFC to what it is today…
Inducted: July 6th, 2013 (First Fight Inducted into The Hall of Fame)
The two men stood and traded punches for 15 straight minutes. Bruised and bloodied they would not be denied of the title of The Ultimate Fighter. The TV ratings went up triple from round to round as friends continued to call friends and say “you got to check this out”. In the End Forrest Griffin edged out a decision to Win the Contract and title of “The Ultimate Fighter”, however w/ the fight being so incredible UFC President Dana white awarded Bonnar a contract on the spot as well. Meanwhile directly after the fight White went to the back halls of the venue and signed a contract for season 2 w/ the executives of Spike TV as that fight had inspired both parties to continue on w/ the show.
HUGHES VS. TRIGG II
Matt Hughes and Frank Trigg had entered into a Rivalry and this culmination is not only one of the best fights in UFC History but also Dana Whites second favorite fight. It was at UFC 52, Hughes was nearly choked unconscious but would fight through it and pick Trigg up, carry him across the cage and slam him. He would then wrap on a rear naked choke and successfully defend his Welterweight Title.
Inducted: July 11th, 2015 at UFC 189
COLEMAN VS. WILLIAMS
At UFC 17 Mark Coleman was to be making his big comeback after a defeat. Pete Williams stepped in on short notice to face the former champion. Coleman looked good early on but eventually Mark would tire and get caught w/ an absolutely perfectly placed head kick. Williams would knock Mark out w/ that kick and end the bout.
Inducted: July 16th, 2016 at UFC Fan Expo
RUA VS. HENDERSON
Maurcio “Shogun” Rua and Dan Henderson are both the definition of Legends in this sport. At UFC 139 to two faced off in the main event. They went to war w/ both men getting near finishes nearly every single round. Just when you though one was done, they’d fight back to take control. Henderson would eventually win the Decision…
Inducted: July 5th, 2018 at UFC Hall of Fame Ceremony
DIEGO SANCHEZ VS. CLAY GUIDA
Though the two combatants in this bout are true warriors nobody expected the absolute war these two went to. The stare down was epic and then 30 seconds in the two guys met in the middle and just started swinging for the fences. It was an absolute war that these 2 men are known for. Punch after punch, diego dropped Clay w/ a devastating knee to the head but Clay recovered and the last 3 rounds were grappling exchanges mixed w/ wild boxing exchanges. Diego would hold off and win the decision…
Inducted: July 5th, 2019 at The UFC Hall of Fame Ceremony
JON JONES VS. A. GUSTUFFSON
Jon Jones had defended his title 5 times in dominant fashion w/ finishes over Rampage Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Vitor Belfort and more on his reign of terror in the light heavyweight division. In Steps number 1 contender Alexander Gustuffson. He was the first guy to fight jones that didn’t have a huge reach disadvantage and his stand up was on point. He took Jones down in this fight which was the first time that had happened in Jon’s UFC career. The two guys put every thing on the line, threw everything but the kitchen sink at each other for 25 straight minutes. In the end Jones eeked out a decision that to this day many believe should have gone to Alex. This was the first Time Jones was tested in the UFC and it was a total dog fight for the entire time.
Inducted: TBD…