10 Days That Changed UFC Forever

It's considered by many to be the fight that saved the UFC. The men involved were enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame thanks to its impact. So it should be no surprise that the original Ultimate Fighter Finale between Forrest Griffin and Stephen Bonnar makes the list of days that changed the UFC forever.

Back in 2005, the UFC was struggling. When Zuffa purchased the MMA promotion in 2001, it saw potential. Instead, it bled money, reportedly losing millions of dollars. In a last-ditch effort to salvage their investment, the promotion set up a reality TV series on Spike TV: The Ultimate Fighter. The show would follow UFC hopefuls living together, training, and fighting to earn themselves a UFC contract. It was a simple premise at a time when reality TV was at its peak.

And thanks to a thrilling three-round standup battle between Griffin and Bonnar at the live finale on 9 April 2005, it likely saved the UFC. Though a second season had been green lit by Spike already, the fight pushed the UFC over the top with fans. Word of mouth about the fight spread, and The Ultimate Fighter suddenly became must-see TV.

Another twenty-five seasons have followed, and while the show is mired in a slump, there's no question Griffin vs. Bonnar made its impact on the UFC, saving the entire promotion from possible cancellation.