2. The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale, Griffin vs. Bonnar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny4PWToxDvU In addition to being near the top of this list, this was also one of the most historic moments in the UFC, if not all of MMA. It was the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter and Forrest Griffin and Stephen Bonnar found themselves facing each other for the title of The Ultimate Fighter winner. For both men it was a chance to prove themselves and for UFC President Dana White and UFC owners Lorena and Frank Fertitta it was a due or die moment. The company was on the brink of bankruptcy and this was their last bid to either make it or break it. It wasn't the most technical fight but both men went in there and poured their hearts into the fight in a back and fourth affair that resulted in a split decision in favor of Griffin. Both men were emotional following the bout and Bonnar got even more emotional when Dana White announced that he was also getting a contract into the UFC, a precedent that has persisted to today. Nonetheless it was an emotional moment that revived the UFC.
Matthew Salzer
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Matthew Salzer fell in love with Mixed Martial Arts when he watched Pride Fighting Championships on Japanese TV. He is a lifelong wrestler having earned a Bachelor of Science at Missouri Baptist University. Matthew is the Senior Editor at MMA Freak and has written for Funky Monkey MMA, H4 Entertainment, and MMA Fiends.
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