BJ Penn to be inducted into UFC Hall of Fame

MANILA, Philippines – Mixed martial arts legend BJ Penn will finally have his rightful place into the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Hall of Fame in July during the International Fight Week in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The world’s premier MMA promotion broke the news during the UFC 187 live broadcast on Sunday, May 24 (Manila Time) as Penn will be part of the Modern Era wing, which recognizes fighters who turned professional on or after November 17, 2000 when the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts were introduced to the sport.

“It is our honor to induct BJ Penn into the UFC Hall of Fame. He was one of those stars who helped build the UFC. When we bought this company, we were told no one cared about lightweights. BJ Penn not only made people care, he was one of the biggest draws in UFC history,” UFC president Dana White said.

Penn (16-10-2) remains one of the only two fighters in UFC history to win world titles in multiple weight classes.

The 36-year-old Hawaiian won the welterweight strap by submitting Matt Hughes at UFC 46 in January 2004, while he added the lightweight belt to his résumé four years later with a second-round submission win over Joe Stevenson at UFC 80.

Over the course of his 28-bout prizefighting career, Penn earned notable victories over the likes of Matt Serra, Takanori Gomi, Hughes, Renzo Gracie, Jens Pulver, Sean Sherk, Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez.

Penn decided to hang up his gloves for good in July 2014 when he was stopped by Frankie Edgar in the third round.

Penn joins Bas Rutten (Pioneers wing), Jeff Blatnick (Contributors wing) and Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg II (Fights wing) as the newest inductees in the UFC’s revamped Hall of Fame concept. – Rappler.com