The finale was held at the
Cox Pavilion in
Las Vegas, Nevada on April 9, 2005 and was broadcast nationally on
Spike TV. It was refereed by
Herb Dean and was slated for three 5-minute rounds, the standard UFC format for non-title fights. Neither fighter offered to "touch gloves" (a gesture of sportsmanship) as the fight began. Both fighters exchanged punches and the occasional low kicks, with Griffin gaining a slight advantage (according to color commentator
Joe Rogan). The first round ended with no clear winner. Rogan called the first round the "Hagler-Hearns" of mixed martial arts history (alluding to a famous boxing bout between
Marvin Hagler and
Thomas Hearns, known as
The War). Early in the second round, a
jab by Bonnar created a cut on Griffin's nose, prompting the referee to stop the fight so a doctor could check the cut and clear Griffin to continue. He was cleared, and the fight continued as Bonnar controlled Griffin with a
Muay Thai clinch and delivered several knees to Griffin's face. The round ended with Griffin failing a
takedown attempt, and Bonnar defending Griffin's offensive Thai clinch. In the third and final round, Griffin started with low kicks and punches; Bonnar attempted to counterattack from a distance. Griffin delivered several knees from the Thai clinch. Mid-round, Bonnar landed several short punches while
infighting. However, Bonnar counterattacked only when opportunities were present. The round ended with Griffin holding Bonnar in a Thai clinch and attacking with knees, followed by a short exchange of punches. All three judges scored the fight 29–28 in favor of the winner, Forrest Griffin, but because of Stephan Bonnar's outstanding performance,
Dana White also granted Stephan a UFC contract on the spot. ==Rematch at UFC 62==