2022 ended on a sad note for the UFC family. The UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar passed away on Christmas Eve, and that has put everyone in grief. The Indiana native put on some outstanding performances over his seven years of UFC competition. But the TUF 1 bout from 2005 continues to be both his and the promotion’s most notable fight.

Forrest Griffin, who competed against ‘The American Psycho’ in what is regarded as the UFC’s signature match, recently penned a moving tribute to Bonnar in the wake of his untimely demise. Griffin referred to Bonnar as his “brother” and laid out many such admirable things for him in his note. However, the Ohio native prevailed against Bonnar in that iconic bout in 2005, but it earned both combatants their due honors.

Forrest Griffin remembers Stephan Bonnar

Many condolences poured in for Stephan Bonnar and his family when the UFC broke the news out of his tragic passing. And now, Forrest Griffin has also lamented upon this devastating news. The 43-year-old took to Twitter to mourn the passing of the UFC legend.

Griffin wrote, “Stephan was a lot of things: He was always the most interesting person in the room, he had the biggest heart and most importantly, he was my friend. I always loved it that people got excited when they found out we were really friends. I’ll always miss you, brother.”

Read more: “Forrest Griffin Is Due for Something Terrible”: Before His Untimely Demise, Stephan Bonnar Shared a Hard-to-Watch Video & a Message for His TUF1 Friends in April

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The two shared a great bond and camaraderie ever since they faced each other. And the UFC Hall of Famer’s post makes clear how much he respects and admires Bonnar. And rightfully so. They both were a part of the battle that is credited to save the UFC.

The most important fight of the UFC

Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin were pitted against each other in the TUF 1 co-main bout in 2005. The sheer ferocity of this three-round hard-core fight shocked the onlookers. And everyone who’s seen it can vouch for the fact that it is a defining fight of the UFC. Even Dana White acknowledged the fact it changed the sport forever.

Griffin overpowered Bonnar by the end of the third round and the results favored him as the winner via decision. But the way the fight progressed, ever since its commencement, it brought the absolute best out of both the fighters, who gave this fight everything they had. And as a result, this fight is now noted as the greatest MMA fight of all time.

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