Jens
Pulver is the latest addition to the 2023 UFC Hall of Fame
class.
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The promotion announced on Saturday that the former lightweight
champion will be inducted into the “Pioneers” Wing as part of a
ceremony held during International Fight Week in July. The
“Pioneers” Wing recognizes athletes who turned professional before
Nov. 17, 2000, are at least 35 years old and have been retired for
a minimum of one year.
“Jens
Pulver is a pioneer of the sport who was not only the first
lightweight champion in UFC history, but someone who delivered some
of the sport’s most memorable moments,” said UFC President Dana
White. “No one will ever forget his knockout of John Lewis
or his win over B.J. Penn in
their first fight, and his fight against Urijah Faber
in 2008 was the biggest fight in WEC history at the time. Jens
could do it all in the Octagon, and it will be an honor to induct
him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”
Pulver compiled a 27-19-1 mark over the course of a professional
career that began in 1999 and ended in 2013. His ledger includes
notable triumphs against the likes of Penn, Cub Swanson,
Caol Uno,
Joe
Stevenson and Cole
Escovedo, among others. “Little Evil” become the promotion’s
first 155-pound champion when he defeated Uno via unanimous
decision at UFC 30. He defended the title with victories over
Dennis
Hallman and Penn before vacating the belt. He also had stints
in World Extreme Cagefighting and Pride Fighting Championships
during his MMA tenure.
Today, the longtime Miletich Fighting Systems standout remains
involved with the promotion as the full-time host of the UFC’s
Twitch channel. He currently lives in Iowa with his wife and two
kids.