[IITRUEMMAFANII]

I must first give credit where credit is due, RAMMA at MMANews found this, I am just passing it along.

Forrest did an exclusive interview for some MMA forum.. here it is


Quote:
Forrest Griffin is one of the newest fighters to grace the world of Mixed Martial Arts. The 27 year-old Ohio-born brawler was the funny man and eventual winner of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter on Spike TV. His victory on the show earned him an official contract with the UFC, as well as a reputation as someone who never goes into a fight without a trademark grin on his face and a powerful sense of humor. Leave it to a man who would go several years fighting in the MMA without health insurance to never take anything too seriously. He was indeed the perfect addition to a reality show based around the sport.

Griffin grew up never having much of an interest in professional sports let alone professional fighting for that matter. His career of choice would be police officer, finishing his degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Georgia. Taking root in Athens, Georgia, he would first be exposed to martial arts during police academy where the Gracie Grapple System was being used to teach self-defense and defensive tactics to officers. One of his instructors would also show him a video of a UFC bout, which eventually sparked Griffin’s interest. “I’d seen it on ‘95 when I was in middle school or high school,” Griffin would comment during an interview. “and it was the most boring thing I’ve ever seen. I was like ‘why is that guy wearing pajamas�why is that guy wearing tights?’ Then I saw Belfort knock out somebody and I was like ‘oh my God, that’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. Man, I gotta do this’”.

Griffin would soon join the HardCore Gym and be coached by the gym’s owner’s Adam and Rory Singer. Together they would get him ready for his first official MMA bout. In October 2001 he would face one of the most seasoned fighters in MMA history, future UFC hall of fame inductee Dan Severn. “I was prepared for the Dan Severn that I had seen on film,” Griffin said. “The Dan Severn that I fought that night wasn’t too overly aggressive, he wasn’t really what I expected at all. I made the mistake of being afraid to take chances and I ended up just laying down for him.”Griffin would lose his first fight by unanimous decision with Dan Severn, but seeing how it was Dan “The Beast Severn” he didn’t take the loss too hard. Here is what Forrest had to say:

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: Hello Forrest.How are you today?

Forrest Griffin: Great …

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: Let me start by saying that you have a lot of fans on the site and several of them posted questions for you answer. Shall we get started?

Forrest Griffin: Go for it boss …

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: You used to live in Athens, Georgia and fight out of the Hardcore Gym. Where you living now?

Forrest Griffin: Ah, Las Vegas.

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: The Hardcore Gym is now part of American Top Team. What do you think about that?

Forrest Griffin: It’s great. You know, ah, that’s the best gym. I think it is probably one of the most talented gyms in that part of the country.

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: This question is from our forum member BadassBJ: Do you still visit Athens, Georgia?

Forrest Griffin: Oh, of course. But not as often as I like. Um, every now and again. About once every three months.

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: Most fans are aware that you were a former police officer. Is it true that you were also once a bouncer at a strip club?

Forrest Griffin: It is true, ah …

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: What was the name of the strip club?

Forrest Griffin: Toppers

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: Hahaha … I have actually been there before.

Forrest Griffin: Hahaha …

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: This question is from our forum member Spittin Toofs: What’s the strangest, funniest or most memorable situation that you encountered as a cop or a bouncer?

Forrest Griffin: Aw man, I don’t know man that’s a good question. Yeah, I don’t know man. Ah, a Lot of bizarre things. I almost shot a kid for pulling out a cell phone one time.

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: Wow, so you though it was a gun?

Forrest Griffin: I did. It was dark … it was night … he was drunk … he wasn’t listening to anything. I was telling him, you know, I was giving him verbal commands and he wasn’t … he was kinda doing his own thing … He wasn’t paying attention, I mean you know he pulled something black out of his pocket … okay, I see how it is …

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: This question is from our forum owner Michael, also known as The M: You are a hilarious guy. Have you ever considered a career in standup comedy?

Forrest Griffin: I’ve actually done stand-up comedy. That shit is hard. It takes real talent. And another thing … I’ve DJ’d a little at strip clubs as well you know … I have to have about ten beers before I feel comfortable getting on stage and talking in front of people like that so I that kind of … ah … kinda limits what you can do what you can do I guess unless you are willing to become an acoholic for the ah … for the cause.

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: This question is from our forum member MMAson: Other professional fighters such as of Nate Quarry have pursued a career in Hollywood. Would you ever consider acting in a movie?

Forrest Griffin: Well you know, I’ve got a damn fine response to that. I’m a pretty decent fighter … nothing special … but I’m a shitty actor. I’d rather be a decent fighter than a shitty actor.

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: This question is from our forum member The Phenom: Do you plan on breaking your eating record by finishing 80 chicken wings next time around?

Forrest Griffin: Whew … I tell you what … seriously I used to fancy myself as a competitive eater. I’ve retired that. As you get older man you can’t eat as you once did … so I don’t … yeah … that’s ah, 74 wings and two pitchers of beer … and ah then two martinis and then I lay down on the ground and try to die. It’s horrible … horrible. I don’t eat anymore. This kid was like … you know, we were at a sub shop and they have 20 inch subs and we both ate 20 inch subs. And he was like I am going to eat another and I was like I’m not … I am done bud.

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: This question is from our forum member pitbull: Do you keep in touch with Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell or anyone else from The Ultimate Fighter Season one?

Forrest Griffin: Ah, I work out at Randy’s gym five times a week .. so, yeah … if by keep in touch you mean punch and occasionally try and get thrown on my head by him [Randy Couture] … yeah I keep in touch.

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: Many MMA fans are calling 2007 the year of the upsets. What was your reaction to the TKO of Georges St. Pierre and the knockout of Mirko Cro Cop?

Forrest Griffin: I am stoked about both those things. You know, I really didn’t think either one would happen the way it did. You know, so I think it’s a great thing.

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: Can you explain why you think the upsets are a good thing?

Forrest Griffin: It’s fun. It’s makes it a better a sport. You know, usually we kinda know who is going to win. But, you know … big upsets make it exciting. They make it a fun sport you know. If you always know who is going to win what fun is it?

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: This question is from our forum member asugar: After your loss to Keith Jardine, what did you do to refocus and what adjustments have you made to your game?

Forrest Griffin: Nothing. I mean, after that you know I just took a little break you know. I went home for two weeks and did other stuff. I didn’t worry about it you know … This is something I plan on doing for another seven or eight years. Not ah … I don’t have to give up on it in one day you know … or one month … or one year even. You know? I just went home and let the body heal up and got mentally fresh.

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: This question is from our forum members hitekredneck and Oscaraps: do you want a rematch with Jardine?

Forrest Griffin: Of course I do!

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: This question is from our forum member norcalmatt: How do you feel about the Feritta brothers purchase of PRIDE FC?

Forrest Griffin: Ah … I think it’s great. Those guys know how to run a business … they know how to run an organization. You know, they’ll do great.

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: This question is from our forum member norcalmatt: Would you ever compete in an open weight grand prix?

Forrest Griffin: Yeah … if the money was right I’m sure I would. But you know … ah … I’m a fatty for one thing … that would make open weight great for me. I hate making weight. But the other thing I just got knocked out at 205. I don’t really want none of those big boys hitting me man … those guys will hurt you.

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: This question is from one of our forum administrators known as $m0k3: Who is your favorite fighter?

Forrest Griffin: Ah, I have no idea. It used to be Aaron Riley. I am not sure who it is these days …

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: This is another question from our forum administrator known as $m0k3: Is there anyone from Pride you would like to cross over and fight?

Forrest Griffin: Yeah man I wouldn’t mind fighting, like ah I think Ninja or someone like that would be a good fight.

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: What about Shogun Rua?

Forrest Griffin: Yeah that would be a good fight too. You know, I think Shogun is a little better. Might be a little out of my league right now.

Ultimate-Fighter.ca: And yet another question from our forum administrator $m0k3: How would you feel about fighting in the Pride ring?

Forrest Griffin: I like fighting in the ring a lot.

Continued....