FIGHTERS IMMORTALIZED IN THE 'PIONEERS' WING OF THE UFC HALL OF FAME

Last Saturday (18), Anderson Silva's name was immortalized in the UFC Hall of Fame's pioneer section; meet all the fighters that make up the group

Champion of three of the first four UFC tournaments, the Brazilian legend inaugurated the pioneers wing of the organization's Hall of Fame in November 2003.

Royce gracie

Winner of three 'superfights' in the organization's early days, the North American was the second name in the pioneers' wing, announced shortly after Royce.

Ken Sharmrock

Champion of two tournaments and winner of a 'superfight', 'The Beast' had his name immortalized in April 2005.

Dan Severn

The first athlete to become UFC two-division champion, the 'Natural' was inducted into the Hall of Fame in June 2006.

Randy Couture

The organization's first heavyweight champion and winner of two tournaments, the 'Godfather of Ground and Pound' was announced in March 2008.

Mak Coleman

Former light heavyweight champion with four defenses and one of the most popular names in the organization, the 'Iceman' was immortalized in July 2009.

Chuck liddell

A welterweight legend, with seven title defenses in the category, the American's name was announced in May 2010. 

Matt hugs

With five light heavyweight title defenses, the 'Bad Boy from Huntington Beach' entered the Hall of Fame in July 2012.

Tito Ortiz

First UFC welterweight champion, with four title defenses and also winner of an organization tournament, the 'Croatian Sensation' joined in July 2014.

Pat miletich

Former UFC and Pancrase heavyweight champion, Dutchman 'El Guapo' entered the Hall of Fame in July 2015.

Bas Rutten

PRIDE legend and former interim Ultimate champion, Minotauro was the second Brazilian to enter the Hall of Fame's pioneer wing, in July 2016.

Rodrigo Minotauro

Introduced on the same day as Minotauro, 'The Predator' was champion of two of the organization's tournaments.

Don frye

Former heavyweight champion, with one title defense, 'Mo' Smith secured his place in the class in July 2017.

Maurice smith

Introduced on the same day as Smith for his achievements in PRIDE, the Japanese legend is the only member of the wing to have never played in Ultimate.

Kazushi Sakuraba

Protagonist of one of the biggest upsets in history when submitting Georges St-Pierre, the former welterweight champion had his name immortalized in July 2018.

Matt serra

Former middleweight champion with two title defenses, 'Ace' was announced in the pioneers wing in July 2019.

Rich Franklin

Former heavyweight champion with one title defense, the 'Monster' had his name immortalized in the Hall of Fame in 2021, five years after passing away.

Kevin Randleman

The first lightweight champion in history and owner of two title defenses, the North American had his name announced this year.

Jens pulver

The greatest middleweight in history, with ten title defenses, 'Spider' was the last name announced in the Hall of Fame, in March of this year.

Anderson Silva

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