Jens Pulver finally got his wish.
The former UFC lightweight champion and early star and pioneer in the lighter weight classes got what he’s been long looking for: a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame.
After years of campaigning for a spot, it was announced Saturday during the UFC 284 broadcast that Pulver will be inducted into the Pioneer Wing as part of the class of 2023. The induction ceremony is expected to coincide with the promotion’s International Fight Week in July.
It was an emotional – and surprising – moment for Pulver. He was completely caught off guard by the news while he hosted a live UFC watch-along on Twitch.
Watch Pulver’s real-time reaction below:
@jens_pulver LIVE @UFC HALL OF FAME REACTION
[ https://t.co/n6Va5N67By | #UFCStreams ] pic.twitter.com/odvjAWJlq1
— UFCStreams (@UFCStreams) February 12, 2023
Pulver was the first lightweight (then called bantamweight) champion in the promotion’s history when he defeated Caol Uno by unanimous decision at UFC 30.
From 1999-2007, Pulver competed intermittently in the UFC and compiled a 6-2-1 record. Another notable win in the UFC came against B.J. Penn, whom he fought twice and coached opposite on Season 5 of “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2007.
Outside the UFC, Pulver competed in PRIDE, WEC, ONE Championship, Titan FC, IFL and more. He competed in four weight classes: lightweight, featherweight, bantamweight and flyweight.
