FIGHTLORE: Accidental Saviors | Griffin vs Bonnar

You’ve seen Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar's epic fight, now watch the behind-the-scenes story of how a former cop and a bullied college wrestler saved the UFC with the greatest slugfest of all time.
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[@TheVegasRugger]

RIP Stephen Bonnar. You were truly awesome and the biggest thanks to you and Forrest for very much saving the UFC.

[@Nonegiven14582]

Creating more druggies and copy cats at a lower level People who'll get hooked and never be talked about? Even Griffin looked ill when he came off the gear and was on nothing or a low TRT dose. Show me what he looks like now? I am 50 and I bet I look better than him Also this fight was watched by me around the same time Calzaghe fought Lacey and even my girlfriend, after that boxing event. Could see how terrible the UFC was. Go watch both those events and get back to me

[@josephmills-mw2hs]

Lacy was a guy with five different punches,this is real fighting​@@Nonegiven14582

[@lilrugah3433]

Learned just recently Stephan was from my area and went to the same schools and born in the same town as me and I liked that alot.

[@BilalKhan-yg9jc]

​@@Nonegiven14582 Please respect the dead, we will all join them very soon. I doubt you've had a career as a mixed martial artist, much less made it to the Hall of Fame in any sport. I doubt you've played any sport at a competitive level. I never got hooked on opioid pain killers (use a lot of NSAIDs) but have friends who are hooked. It's not because they had less resolve, they were more injury prone and in constant pain. I've been prescribed opioids for severe pain, the kind that gives you agonizing, sleepless nights. I'm all for keeping drugs off the street but a holier than thou attitude isn't going to help. Most people take drugs to numb-off physical and psychological trauma and suffering. Blaming victims of abuse (Stephan was obviously bullied by his older brother) isn't helping the issue nor will legalizing hard drug use.

[@VeritasEIREAequitas]

RIP Stephan

[@elijahtrujillo932]

Rip Stephen Bonnar

[@vittorio177]

Fightlore is so good, we need more episodes more often

[@bretthumphrey6821]

I agree 👍 please

[@razorramoneljefe5956]

No ..... Then the content ends up sucking when it's pumped out quickly .....

[@GenX_-um2ct]

Me and the boys dropped shrooms during that fight. Talk about added intensity

[@HairyJefe]

​@@GenX_-um2ct damn I was only 8 😂

[@TurbulenttJuice]

This is the only continent I watch from the UFC anymore lol it is very well done. They should have a whole series instead of sporadic episodes every six months.

[@reeceh8048]

R.I.P Stephen Bonnar, a real legend of the sport!!

[@tim1309]

Rip Bonnar a true warrior with a tough fighting spirit.

[@shable1436]

Two things, 1. The cartoons are hilarious 2. Herb Dean doesn't age

[@liamdoran5889]

Black don't crack

[@JuanSantiago-nj7zh]

Bonnar sacrificed his body for everything....as a addict I can only imagine what he went thru from the high of highs to the lowest point b4 passing....heartbreaking...thanks fir the great wars rip

[@Nonegiven14582]

And people will copy him. So to give him air time is wrong

[@PlatinumPuzyCat]

@@Nonegiven14582 nobody has copied Chris Benoit

[@SASBurner]

@@Nonegiven14582bruh shut up you sound so ignorant and idiotic

[@chrissibersky4617]

Rest in peace Stephan Bonnar. 😢

[@thomaswall9198]

RIP Stephan Bonner, a true warrior!

[@robstaaass]

Bonnars takeaway about he and Forrest being two regular Joes basically and how everyone could project themselves into them and live vicariously through them is what really made it all happen, was brilliant.

[@ItsBeerDrank]

ain't nobody tearing up right now... especially over here in my office, where I'm watching this by myself..

[@Goldchaingarcia]

yeah, im not tearing up. Yall are !

[@todddunbar176]

So much dust in the air!

[@TRIPP98]

This series is amazing and super emotional I can’t even watch more than 2 in a day without needing to take a break. I just finished the Glover episode.

[@45BRush]

People say this a lot about others but, Stephan Bonner was truly one of a kind. 💔

[@zeromiedo1218]

Such a privilege to have lived through and witnessed this incredible moment of MMA history.

[@whoareyou221]

I remember being a freshman in high school watching the finale live... time flys

[@vutran3758]

Still to this day can be considered one of the greatest fights of all time. RIP

[@Mauvaiseodeur]

RIP Mr Stephan Bonnar ✝️

[@middleofnowhereradio]

These are amazing. RIP Stephan, what a way to honor his legacy! UFC changed the world through the spirit of two men.

[@coreytrevor1920]

Rest in peace Stefan Bonnar. Really feels like the UFC let him down by not giving him the opportunities post retirement they gave to forest. He deserves the same amount of love, someone so pivotal to the UFC should not have been left with the lack of support he had in his final years

[@Voo504Doo]

one of greatest fights ever man!!!! legendary

[@andrewhan7381]

They didnt kick off Bonnar because they needed him for the show. Crazy how two un-signed fighters saved the UFC

[@WP239]

Was just a kid and I remember my cousin called me after the 1st round told me to check Spike TV. Thats when I fell in love with UFC. R.I.P Bonner.

[@pathologicalphilosophy1959]

Man, never forget these two. Legends

[@jgottorff]

UFC never rests. They take care of the fans when they have a break with fights

[@rudythapa580]

Wow, what a wild ineffable journey this was. I am truly grateful for Forest Griffin and Stephen Bonnar for every inch of effort and will they put into that fight, which sparked the culmination of UFC as we see it today. May Stephen Bonnar rest in peace, brother. Imagining Dana and others writing up a contract with Spike TV on a piece of tissue paper by a dumpster alley. Can't get more fantastical than this. I just wish I had known and watched the fight live back then.

[@MorethanGUNZ]

Legendary!

[@michaelhood2109]

6:14 ahh nice to see legends such as Knuckles Bunt and Stig Walnut getting recognized for their contributions to the mma landscape lol

[@cottonhiker]

Stephan Bonnar, I hope you understand how truly and universally loved you are and how much happiness you brought to everyone!? 🙏💪🏼🇺🇸

[@Fistoffury504]

One of the greatest MMA fights I've seen, those were great times. Love everything MMA represents.

[@apouncy9670]

RIP, Stephan Bonnar.

[@joshthemediocre7824]

This is so good, being along for the ride and balls deep in mma ever since, there was still a few stories i there i have never heard before, excellent.

[@todddunbar176]

I remember watching this live and knowing that the sport as a whole would benefit from this one fight. Such a momentous occasion. Rest in peace Stephan-and thank you.

[@David_Pugh]

Remember the 'Undisputed' series? Boxing. First season was nice. RIP Stephan 🙏

[@fishinhank942]

The Griffin vs Bonnar fight will forever be the best fight in the UFC. RIP Stephen

[@cmac6136]

I cant believe the UFC sold in 2016. Doesnt seem like that long ago. Damn

[@clintpage9929]

Yea they could've got 6-7 billion if they would've waited til this year

[@OmnipotentSpud]

Keep rippin' in heaven, Bonz.

[@shable1436]

Stephen gets the corner office in a highrise, and Forrest gets an unfinished drywall broom closet 😂😂

[@annikafanpage1745]

I remember when and where I was when I watched this fight. That feeling you knew you were watching something special.

[@Vuk_Stajic]

We appreciate these being posted publicly!

[@Swingofthepower]

stephan and griffin are legends

[@jamesobanion5559]

This was amazing saved the sport, not an understatement

[@brianomoli4]

Love these episodes. So much fun.

[@jessenibley8878]

Rip Stephen Bonner one of the greatest dudes ever

[@yamon598]

This was really good. Thanks!

[@hidetoedwarduno7681]

RIP Stephan Bonner, he's so entertaining & funny in the interviews! Also, 40 million in debt in 3 years is mind-blowing, thanks for staying in it for us.

[@Robert-xk9no]

They did so much for the sport, it made me shed a tear

[@shable1436]

I watched UFC since the early days, and remember watching the first season, and thought it was brilliant to have a reality show, and since back then those reality shows were just getting popular, like the survivor ones, and the one Joe Rogan hosted, and the vote off the island one with Jeff probst hosting. So anyway the UFC rode that wave, and having the final fight being a stand up war with back and forth from beginning to end actually the best fight in the UFC because they were hungry for it, and that's what saved the UFc Edit: i wrote this before watching it, and the video said the exact same things😂

[@blueskyz8097]

I needs a Stig Walnuts Fightlore

[@kingofboggle954]

That beer run was legendary, Bonner was the man.

[@philipirockz92]

Wow I get chills amazing

[@jotv7224]

it sucks what happened to bonnars health and his inability to manage his pain and the unlucky issues he kept running . Hes a gem and its sad hes not still around in the fight game but its amazing we get to celebrate him for all that he did

[@jotv7224]

thats more than most people will ever have and all of us deserve to be celebrated

[@tarancehill651]

These fightlore videos are awesome. Reminds me of good ol television programs. A+ production

[@cloudybreh9779]

These 2. Genuine appreciation from me.

[@joncole1380]

The reason why I Love the UFC

[@maverikx4575]

20:41 I love Herb Dean and Forrest faces

[@user-ns8ex2bb9j]

I love the music as they T-off on each other lol.

[@balbin0329]

Every single time people talk about the greatest fights in MMA, time and time again i say Bonnar Griffin 1 ultimate fighter 1 finale is the greatest MMA fight of all-time bar none. I remember when they anounced the winner, broke my heart that Bonnar lost. I think in the back of Griffins mind even he was surprised he won... and then they decide to give Bonnar a contract as well. It was a really good call, a beautiful moment and it brang a tear to my eye when they offered Bonnar that contract out of the blue. Not even fairytales could have scripted a better ending. Even watching this now on fightlore kinda makes me emotional the Fertittas and Dana offering Bonnar that contract. Great call by the OG's of the UFC💯

[@RAIKQU]

this series is so well edited

[@salvitoripopadillo4539]

Wow that brought back some memories! I was already a huge fan and now I remember I watched it live that night with my late best friend! RIP Stephan Bonnar and RIP Aaron "Smith Dog" Smith!

[@TurbulenttJuice]

I watched it live. It was a moment I’ll never forget. Forest was my favorite fighter for a long time as a result. Really was a special moment in combat sports history. Especially once Dana announced that they both would receive a contract.

[@kelleycondon6504]

this is the season I actually watched and that final fight they did in the season WAS AWESOME

[@justinheer9098]

That fight meant something to all of us

[@westleyrangen-hj8fj]

I got to meet Forrest Griffin at my highschool bonanza I wrestled there and my wrestling coach was helping him with conditioning and he was the coolest dude he talked to me and was very nice and was awesome he signed my headgear and the next practice my coach made me run circuits but it was totally worth it

[@user-ns8ex2bb9j]

I was 18 when this happened. We had already seen all the UFC 1s & gracies & of course pride mark coleman. But this show made forrest griffin known. His impression of hiz coach liddell lol.

[@sixthrees333333]

rest up Steven... Thanks for the memories...

[@TheRealCCSmith]

Miss you Stephen 🤟 you were awesome

[@MB34756]

I literally called my friends who i watched the ufc and pride with and told them there was an amazing fight on tv for free, turn it on now!

[@ulyssem3197]

❤️

[@Blackhankhill]

Stephen Bonnar's hair flying everywhere is one of the things that made this fight so awesome 😂

[@BrianFlynn-jq6ns]

RIP Bonnar. What a great person.

[@-Hesco]

the fact that this was the first fight i ever seen from UFC (i was a young teenager) is absolutely insane. i was staying at a friend house and his parents were having a watch party for the fights. absolutely amazing! RIP 🪦 stephen, and griffin is one of my fav fighters of all time lol.

[@jessenibley8878]

That fight could have not went off better Stephan bonnar and Forrest Griffin put on the greatest fight on free TV of all time

[@super-man1088]

Pure entertainment 👌

[@madmax1717]

What a great story.

[@jamesmoore4935]

Epic !!!

[@coltsinglearmy]

Check on your loved ones and treasure their every moment.

[@BurchMike1]

Best fight ever

[@robstaaass]

"But I did kick his ass 😌😌" 😂😂😂😂. RIP Champ. The fuckin man

[@dkmma3312]

Crazy this channel sits on killer content for so long. The goat stephan has been gone over a year now

[@derekwinkler7414]

I remember Evan from way back. Said who’s this guy ? He definitely stood out in the early days of the UFC/MMA. His genetically gifted physically stature. His tenacious ability to take hold and, control run over dudes. Out work, strength, position, condition them to victory. Was happy for him. When he beat David Terrel to win the Undisputed UFC Middleweight Championship. I was a big Rich Franklin fan. Their second fight Rich showed a new level. But, I had much respect for Evan Tanners heart of a lion. Right before Evan passed. I start seeing some of his videos pop up on KZbin. The ones where he’s speaking about the power of one. That’s what made me into a bigger fan than i originally was. They was a lot more to the surface than meets the eye. Many layers could be pilled back. Rest in peace to a legend.

[@user-ns8ex2bb9j]

Great documentary 👏 it also gives us incite into the mind frame that is stephen bonnar. Addictions alcohol.he was amazing fighter, an even betteran, & being sn addixt wasnt all he was He was much more

[@thawkereynolds]

I’ve heard this story several times, but this version of it really gives you an idea of how balls to the wall this was

[@PlatinumPuzyCat]

Goated vid

[@Uglier.]

Pioneers

[@cloudybreh9779]

Lmfaooooo 18:58 Joe Rogan “HOOOOOOLY FUCKING SHIT”😂😂😂

[@jonbower194]

No other sport has an origin story like UFC

[@user-ns8ex2bb9j]

I was 18 when the Finale happened. Here in Louisiana. Everyone even non fight enthusiasts were glued to the tv. It was thr caution to the wind drag out

[@mgeeees460]

That's how you do it, two real fuck8n warriors. .R.I.P Never forgotten

[@Shmyrk]

Jesus man, I just came from the Evan Tanner vid and had no idea he had passed. Now I’m finding out Bonnar is gone as well 😔 RIP Legends 🙏🏽

[@michaelkeenan2212]

I remember that fightvso well it really rubber stamped ufc to King's of the sport ,rip S B

[@cloudybreh9779]

Having joe so early on must have been so great for Dana. A smart, well spoken, experienced, passionate worker to show excitement and defend the company in such strong ways when interviewers would come for their necks

[@cobracommander9138]

I'm surprised Forest wasn't promoted as a cop after that arrest. Most departments love hiring ex-jocks that couldn't go pro and now think they are too good to be cops but don't have many options.

[@SunTzuMedia]

"Festival of toughness" 😅💀

[@PlatinumPuzyCat]

Rip Mr. Bonnar God damn this vid bangs bruhhhhhhh goated on the sticks and with the sauce not even a common combo what the FUDGE!!???!

[@thehaunted8055]

R.I.P Stephan Bonnar

[@TheReactionBooth]

Holy fuck what a production 👍🏽👍🏽

[@hugh2hoob668]

Young Dana looked like Pierre McGuire's little brother 😂

[@ronrondrewthat]

So wait the water 🚿 was running that whole time?!?! 😡 👴 😂

[@DavidBentley23]

UFC 37.5 + 40 + UF Finale changed everything

[@billywalendom]

11:50 so relatable

[@lukewinterburn1]

I remember this and phoning my mates to watch it.