Griffin (16-4), the season one winner, and Evans (12-0-1), the season two winner, have both used the show as a launching pad to established themselves as household names in the UFC.
"I think it's a good form of validation," Griffin said. "Two guys from the show fighting for the title is pretty impressive."
Griffin may have stumbled on his way, losing to Keith Jardine at UFC 66, but he bounced back with wins over Hector Ramirez and 2005 PRIDE GP winner Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.
The win presented Griffin with a shot at the title held by Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. But first, Griffin had to return to the "The Ultimate Fighter" show to coach against Jackson.
Griffin came out a winner on the show as a coach as well as a fighter, winning the coaching portion of the show and then more importantly, outpointing Jackson at the subsequent pay-per-view UFC 86 to win the belt.
Evans, who remains undefeated with an additional six wins after winning the show, credits Griffin for setting the tone coming off the show.
"[Griffin] did excellent and I was like I've got to show everybody I can do my thing as well, and it just wasn't a reality show and I've actually got skills," Evans said. "So for us to be in the position that we are right now, it really shows that the show works."
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