Forrest Griffin is looking to do something that no other TUF alumni has: win a UFC title. Well kind of, because Matt Serra was a world champion and a former TUF alum, but we're not going to count season four because all cast members were UFC veterans.
To me, the whole point of The Ultimate Fighter is the underdog. The guy that wouldn't have gotten an opportunity without the show. Almost all the fighters from the first seasons had never been with the UFC, they had fought in smaller shows all over the country, but now they made it to the big time.
They lived in the crazy social experiment that is the TUF house. They trained with world champions, top contenders, crazy personalities and sometimes their heroes. They made sacrifices, bled, cried, and pushed themselves to the edge for one thing: to be the best.
That's what TUF is all about, proving that all someone needs is a chance, and given the opportunity of a lifetime.
I think that when someone from a TUF cast wins a belt it will destroy some of the stereotypes which say that these guys are spoon-fed, manufactured fighters who are Dana White's pets. And that they don't have to "pay their dues" and go through the things that other fighters do.
On Saturday Forrest Griffin has a chance to do two extraordinary things. Win a world title, and bring legitimacy to the reality TV show. Part of me hopes he wins, and finally brings home a belt for all the TUF alums.
Forrest Griffin is a big part of the UFC's success. His fight with Stephan Bonnar has been called the biggest in UFC history. Now he has a chance to be the first TUF cast member to win a UFC belt.
Good luck Forrest, you are the underdog.
9 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Jason Cottier about 1 year ago
This is going to be an awesome fight. Rampage is truly on a roll here, but forrest has holding his own...Even beating a guy that no one gave him a chance against in Rua. I actually didn't see that fight, I don't know if Rua was the same fighter he was when he beat Rampage. If Forrest wins I hope he fights Wanderlei Silva next...Not the one that showed up to fight Chuck, the one that showed up against Jardine. After that fight people would be saying Stephan who???
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Ryan Wales about 1 year ago
I think whoever wins will get Machida next. I don't think you could give Wandy a title shot before Machida. Even if Forrest loses I would like to see him bang with Wand Silva.
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Jason Cottier about 1 year ago
That would be a true war 2 guys that will stand there and swing for 3...or 5 solid rounds.
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Robert DesRoche about 1 year ago
Well, they do train together almost everyday. Forrest and Wandy's sparring sessions are supposedly insane. I can believe it. I guess what I'm getting at is that a fight between Forrest and Wandy is less likely to be put together than another lightweight heavyweight showdown with them involved because they train in the same camp.
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Ryan Wales about 1 year ago
Robert do you think that either one of those guys would say no to a fight if it was presented to them? With those two I think they would duke it out with smiles on their faces. I don't think it's like a GSP or AKA thing where they wouldn't fight their friends.
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Jason Cottier about 1 year ago
I don't have a friend that I wouldn't strap on a pair of gloves and throw with for money...They all feel the same and we aren't professional fighters. Like Amir said why not I would rather lose to one of my friends than someone I don't like...or something along those lines, that is not a direct quote more of a summary.
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James Duryea about 1 year ago
Matt Serra brought legitmacy to the show when he beat GSP for the belt last year. Forrest's win would mean that his technique is better than Rapage's power in a five rounder. It will be fun, no matter who wins...
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Ryan Wales about 1 year ago
To me the whole point about TUF is to give guys a chance that wouln't normally get one. Season four just gave guys a second chance and part of the prize was a title shot. No other season got that incentive. Griffin and other TUF alum had to fight their way up the ladder, to me that makes it legit. Matt Serra beat GSP but he had a much different path than Griffin. Agreed it's going to be a very interesting fight.
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Jad Semaan about 1 year ago
Striking with Stephan Bonnar for 30 minutes is a lot different than striking with Rampage for 25. Honestly, I'd be impressed with Forrest if he makes it past the second round.
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