The Ultimate Fighter™ Finale Complete Results

April 9, 2005

Spike TV

LAS VEGAS, NEV., April 9, 2005

Light Heavyweight Main Event
It was a big night for Rich Franklin (19-1-0) from Cincinnati, Ohio, who defeated UFC legend Ken

Shamrock (26-9-2) from San Diego, Ca., by technical knockout at the 2:44 mark of the first round. Franklin

escaped an arm bar and an ankle lock before Shamrock attempted a right kick. He slipped and Franklin

pounced in Shamrock’s guard and finished the fight with a flurry of strikes. Shamrock could not defend

himself and referee John McCarthy stopped the fight.

The Ultimate Fighter™ Light Heavyweight Final
In what the UFC’s top executives, officials, fighters and fans agreed was one of the best fights in UFC

history, Forrest Griffin (10-2-0) from Athens, Ga., out pointed Stephan Bonnar (9-2-0) from Chicago, Ill., to

win a unanimous decision and the title of The Ultimate Fighter™ in the light heavyweight division. But both

fighters became winners when Zuffa, LLC awarded both fighters six-figure fight contracts with the UFC. The

action in the Octagon was non-stop as both fighters scored in all three rounds with strikes, kicks and ground

action. But all three judges scored it 29-28 in Griffin’s favor.

The Ultimate Fighter™ Middleweight Final
Diego Sanchez (15-0-0) from Albuquerque, N.M., became The Ultimate Fighter™ in the middleweight

division with a convincing technical knockout over Kenny Florian (4-2-0) from Boston, Mass. Sanchez, a

submission wrestler and boxer, took Florian to the ground after the first minute and dominated with powerful

strikes. He opened a cut over Florian’s nose and referee John McCarthy stopped it at the 2:49 mark of the

first round. Sanchez won a six-figure fight contract with the UFC and other prizes.

Light Heavyweight Bout (205 lbs.)
Sam Hoger (5-0-0) from Davenport, Iowa, won a unanimous decision after three rounds over Bobby

Southworth (8-4-0) from Santa Cruz, Ca., with a a well-rounded attack standing and on the ground.

Middleweight Bout (185 lbs.)
Chris Leben (17-1-0) from Portland, Ore., won a TKO over Jason Thacker (4-2-0) from Whonnock, British

Columbia, at the 1:35 mark of the first round. The fight was a grudge match holdover from the TV show when

Leben ridiculed Thacker in the second episode. Thacker landed a hard right at the outset, but Leben

recovered and went to a ground and pound attack for the win.

Middleweight Bout (185 lbs.)
Josh Koscheck (5-0-0) from Buffalo, NY, defeated Chris Sanford (5-1-0) from San Francisco, Ca., by

escaping a strong leg lock and landing elbow strikes and punches to win a TKO at the 4:21 mark of the first

round.

Middleweight Bout (185 lbs.)
Nate Quarry (12-1-0) from Gresham, Ore., who never fought on the show due an ankle injury sustained in

training, defeated Lodune Sincaid (15-3-0) from N. Hollywood, Ca., by TKO at the 3:17 mark of the first

round.

Light Heavyweight Bout (205 lbs.)
Mike Swick (7-1-0) from San Jose, Ca., knocked out Alex Schoenauer (10-1-0) from Las Vegas, Nev., in

20 seconds of the first round by landing four powerful strikes at the start of the fight.

Welterweight Bout (170 lbs.)
Alex Karalexis (5-0-0) from Las Vegas, Nev., knocked out Josh Rafferty (7-4-0) from Cincinnati, Ohio, with

a powerful right hand strike at the 1:40 mark of the first round.

Replays: (check local listings)

- Sunday April 10, 10:00 PM (ET/PT)

- Monday April 11, 11:00 PM (ET/PT)


The Ultimate Fighter Prizes:

Diego Sanchez & Forrest Griffin received:

- UFC Contract

- Diamond Watch

- 2005 Toyota Scion Car

- Alien Motors Mini Motorcyle

Stephan Bonnar was also awarded a UFC contract

- News Release from the UFC with a little editing from us (color, highlights, etc...)

(4/9/05)