Jeff Blatnick served as a UFC commentator between 1994 and 2001. Photo: Disclosure
About to undergo a major overhaul, the Hall of Fame of the UFC, will gain its second member who was not a fighter from the biggest MMA organization on the planet. This Wednesday (22), during the official newspaper “UFC Tonight”, it was announced that former commentator Jeff Blatnick, who passed away in 2012, will receive the posthumous tribute and will appear on the list of illustrious names in Ultimate, as well as the founder of the brand “Tapout” Charles “Mask” Lewis.
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UFC commentator between editions number 4 and 32, Blatnick was more than just a commentator for the event. The 1984 Olympic medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling served as a consultant for the organization and was one of the main names in the movement for the regulation and unification of the sport's rules, which culminated in the institution of mixed martial arts as a modality. Jeff will be nominated in the new “Collaborators” category, which will feature exclusively names that have not stepped foot in the octagon, but played a fundamental role in the history of the event.
In addition to the announcement of Jeff Blatnick's nomination, Ultimate also confirmed the nomination of the rematch between Matt hugs and Frank Trigg for the welterweight belt, held in 2005, in the “Great fights” category, dedicated to the duels that marked an era in the organization. Furthermore, the new Hall of Fame UFC will have two other groups: “Pioneers”, for athletes who worked before 2001 (when Zuffa acquired the event), and “Modern Fighters”, for athletes who worked for the organization after 2001 and are over 35 years. The induction ceremony for new members of the Hall of Fame will take place during International Fight Week, the week of July 11th, which will also host UFC 189.
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