The UFC welterweight got injured in training early in the year and had to pull out of a fight against Sergio Moraes. After being sidelined for the majority of the year, Griffin returned to action against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in October, only to lose a decision.
However, “Pain” won an extra $50,000 for “Fight of the Night” honors in his lone 2017 bout. It “saved” Griffin’s year, he said, because he was able to make a career-changing decision afterwards. Literally.
Upon receiving the bonus, Griffin left his full-time job at Blue Shield of California, a health insurance company.