Forrest Griffin

Forrest Griffin is a mixed martial artist from the United States of America, fighting professional for one of the biggest mixed martial arts promotions in the world, the Ultimate Fighting Championship or the UFC. He has also been the UFC Light Heavyweight champions during his time with the promotion that earned him worldwide recognition. Born on the 1^st of July, 1979 in Columbus, Ohio in the United States of America, Griffin went to Evans High School in the city of Evans in Georgia where he graduated from before enrolling into the University of Georgia with Political Science. While still in school, Griffin signed up with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in the Augusta region of Georgia and served in his capacity a law enforcement officer for the sheriff’s department, and when he was with the University of Georgia Police, he served as a patrol officer. He began training at The Hard Core Gym in Athens and was under the training of Rory and Adam Singer for as long as 5 years. However, after a while, Forrest Griffin left his role as a police officer in order to be able to pursue the career he always wanted, in mixed martial arts.

His claim to fame was as the first ever winner of The Ultimate Fighter, which brought him to the notice of some of the mixed martial arts promotions. In the finals of the event, Griffin faced Stephan Bonnar and, in what was nothing but a brawl, defeated his opponent and many credit this fight as one of the main reasons behind the present success of the UFC. Dana White, the President of the UFC has hailed this fight between Griffin and Bonnar as one of the most important fights in the history of the promotion and success in this fight earned Forrest Griffin a contract with the UFC.

In his time at the UFC, Griffin has been in some of the most grueling fights in the history of the promotion, against the likes of brilliant fighters such as Tito Ortiz, Keith Jardine, Hector Ramirez and others. He finally staked his claim on the ultimate prize, the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship belt when he defeated Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, whom he had coached in the 7^th season of The Ultimate Fighter. Griffin, however, lost in his very first defense of the title and sustained an injury that sideline him for several months but this break from the company gives Forrest Griffin the time to gather himself to come back to the industry fitter, sharper and stronger.