While everyone was still reeling from a fantastic UFC 160 event, the post-fight press conference unveiled another surprise on the lot of us Saturday night with a retirement announcement from Forrest Griffin. For the many who have been watching the sport from its renaissance in 2005 with the Season 1 finale of “The Ultimate Fighter”, Griffin has been a face of the sport and one of the most beloved fighters. Everything said, Forrest’s place in UFC history is still a point up for debate.
If Dana White had his way, I am sure the logo of the UFC would be replaced with Forest Griffin’s face. Dana White’s love for Griffin (and Bonnar as well) has been well documented since his arrival after the epic battle that Griffin and Bonnar had at the TUF finale. White has been outspoken about the special treatment that he has awarded Griffin, and the manner in which he high-jacked the post- fight press conference at UFC 160 to announce Griffin’s retirement, in what should have been a moment for the winners of the event to revel in the limelight, further emphasized this fact. Will Griffin secure a place in the UFC Hall of Fame as a result? There is no doubt in my mind. Does he deserve it? Not so sure about that.
Forrest Griffin fought a number a tough opponents in his time in the UFC and had a few big achievements as well. Best known for his win of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, Griffin was also part of rotating group of light heavyweight champions back in 2008. These two achievements alone are very impressive and something that very few fighters in the UFC today can really pin on their resumes, but I am not sure those alone are enough to warrant a place alongside some of the biggest names the promotion has ever produced.
First, let’s look at the current roster of UFC Hall of Famers and try to figure out where Griffin fits in;
- Royce Gracie: Too many UFC firsts to mention, winner of UFC 1,2 and 4 tournaments
- Ken Shamrock: UFC Superfight Champion (x2 defenses), longest fight in UFC history, too many UFC firsts to mention
- Dan Severn: UFC 5 tournament winner, Ultimate Ultimate 1995 Championship Winner, UFC Superfight champion, first UFC fighter ever awarded a belt
- Randy Couture: UFC HW champion (X3) , UFC LW Champion (X3), UFC 13 HW Tournament winner, too many records to list
- Mark Coleman: UFC 10 Tournament Champion, UFC 11 Tournament Champion, UFC HW Champion
- Chuck Liddell: UFC LW champion (X4 defenses), Most KOs in LW division, second most KOs in UFC history, third most wins in UFC history, most wins at LW
- Charles Lewis Jr. aka “Mask”: key supporter and apparel provider throughout the history of the UFC
- Matt Hughes: UFC WW Champion (X2, X7 defenses), most wins in UFC history (18), too many other records to list
- Tito Ortiz: UFC LW Champion (X5 defenses), Most fights in UFC history, too many other records to list
Stacking Griffin up against this group is something I really struggle with.
Let’s be honest with ourselves, Griffin really could not be ever considered a top pound-for-pound fighter or one of the “best fighters” in the UFC at any point in his career. His longest win streak in the UFC never breached 3 wins, and while he always fought tough talent and often came out with the win (e.g. Quinton Jackson, Shogun Rua, Rich Franklin, Tito Ortiz) he didn’t do what it took to be “the best”.
He’s a name and a face that many second generation UFC fans (those post-TUF 1) will always remember. He should be celebrated as an important name in the sport, but the Hall of Fame should be a place that is reserved for those who fundamentally left their mark in the UFC as a result of continuous efforts contributed to the sport (I firmly believe that Charles Lewis Jr, aka “Mask” still qualifies for this criteria). Grffin had two moments in his career that put him at the forefront of the sport – but, really only for a short while.
That being noted, some may object that his defining moment (the TUF 1 finale) is one that holds a special place – and can never be replicated. I don’t disagree that this TUF 1 finale moment was one of the most important in MMA, but it requires tribute in my eyes and not deity status.
So, while Griffin should be remembered as an important name in the sport, I really don’t believe that he qualifies as one that should be engraved alongside the legends. I am sure that many will disagree, and they are welcome to do so, but from the perspective of someone who has been a fan of the sport since its inception Griffin is a couple of pages in that book and not by any means a chapter. Don’t get me wrong, Griffin is an important character in the UFC history, his fight with Bonnar can’t be denied as one of the most important events in the sport of MMA, but one/two events in history don’t make for a Hall of Famer in my eyes. Celebrate the man for his passion and dedication, give him his due respect – but, etching his name in stone is a little over zealous in this writers opinion.
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Photo Credit: Gene B via Photopin
