Stephan Bonnar
15-9-0
About
The man whose war with Forrest Griffin on the first Ultimate Fighter finale is often credited with saving the UFC.
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Stephan Bonnar's career is defined by a single night: April 9, 2005, when he and Forrest Griffin traded blows for three rounds in the first Ultimate Fighter finale. Bonnar lost the decision, but the fight was so thrilling that UFC president Dana White handed both men contracts, and many credit the bout with rescuing a company that was hemorrhaging money.
Bonnar never won a title and didn't need to. He spent the rest of the decade as a beloved light heavyweight gatekeeper, durable and always game, sharing the cage with names like Jon Jones and, in his 2012 farewell, Anderson Silva.
He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame alongside Griffin and remains one of the most important figures in the sport's early growth. Bonnar died in 2022, but his place in MMA history is permanent.
Why fans love Bonnar
Heart, durability and a place in UFC history. He gave fans a war every time and is forever tied to the moment the sport broke through.
