6. Forrest Griffin Sinks Mauricio Rua
Griffin was among the most popular fighters on the UFC roster at the time, his popularity related as much to his goofy sense of humor and engaging personality as it was to his entertaining fighting style. Even though he went on to capture the UFC light heavyweight championship, “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 1 winner was never considered one of the greats of his era. Rua, meanwhile, was in the best-of-all-time discussion. “Shogun” had for years wrecked the opposition in Pride Fighting Championships, and when he arrived in the UFC, the fanboys were as giddy as schoolgirls at a One Direction meet and greet. They had reason to be excited. Rua had smashed Alistair Overeem, Ricardo Arona, Kevin Randleman and Quinton Jackson, among others, and the UFC had huge plans for the budding Brazilian superstar.
Rua’s organizational debut at UFC 76 on Sept. 22, 2007 in Anaheim, California, was supposed to serve as a celebration of his skills. Many saw Griffin as little more than a sacrificial lamb for a man who had carved through the 2006 Pride middleweight grand prix in frightening fashion. They could not have been more mistaken. Griffin wore down the Brazilian for the better part of three rounds before submitting him with a rear-naked choke with 15 seconds left in the fight.
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