With the Friends reunion special prompting a bunch of think pieces about the six New Yorkers that congregated at Central Perk over the last couple weeks, the Season Three episode entitled “The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion” has taken up prominent position in my head for obvious reasons.
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In addition to giving audiences an introduction to ring announcer Bruce Buffer, referee “Big John” McCarthy, and early UFC superstar Tank Abbott, the episode, which centers around Monica’s boyfriend Pete Becker’s quest to become “The Ultimate Fighting Champion,” delivers an unexpected, but poignant glimpse into the psyche and mindset required to excel inside the Octagon.