Forrest Griffin was the right man at the right place at the right time.
The Columbus, Ohio, native joined the inaugural cast of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series in 2005 and emerged as one of its breakout stars, as he went on to defeat Stephan Bonnar at the unforgettable finale and lock down a “six-figure contract” with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Griffin spent the better part of a decade competing at a high level in the UFC, where he compiled a 10-5 record and captured the undisputed light heavyweight crown. He announced his retirement in 2013 and was later inducted into the modern-era wing of the UFC Hall of Fame.