Realistically, they both could have been doing something else with their Saturday nights’. They could have been watching a movie. Perhaps they could have been relaxing with an ice cold beer. Instead they chose to fight each other.

Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar promised fireworks, but we have all heard that promise before. It is very seldom that a fight lives up to the expectations of the competitors and the insiders in the industry. What happened Saturday night surpassed the wildest dreams of the competitors, critics and the spectators watching for the first time on free TV.

As the fight unfolded, any spectator could have told you that it was about much more than money for both fighters. If it were about money, they surely would have been doing something else. No one could’ve blamed them for choosing a profession where they would have a steady paycheck, no long hours and plenty of security. They both chose not to go with security and instead follow their dreams. Not because they were seeking fame and fortune, but because they are competitors in a sport. There was no animosity between the two, only admiration at the end of it all. And what an all it was.

Within fifteen minutes the crowd saw hundreds of punches thrown, dozens of knees, vicious leg kicks and intestinal fortitude that I have not seen in a very long time. Both Griffin and Bonnar gave everything inside the octagon for a riled up crown inside the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. They were more than satisfied with what they saw. What more could they have asked for? The two men not only showcased their skills, but they also showed the thousands in attendance their hearts, their souls, everything they had and more. They went to the well even when there was nothing left and still threw heavy leather like it was going out of style.

At the end of the fight the decision really didn’t matter all that much. It really could have gone either way. Forrest Griffin got the decision, but both men earned a spot in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and maybe even more importantly, they earned the respect and admiration of all those in the arena and the millions watching on Spike TV.

It should be noted that it was a very classy move by Zuffa to come up with a contract for both gentleman at the end of the night, both of them deserved it. The two competitors themselves showed great skills and heart in battle, but they also showed great sportsmanship and class in thanking each other at the end of a battle for the ages. Like true gentleman, they exchanged kind words, handshakes, and hugs. They both walked out of the Octagon winners. We won too.