With the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) growing in numbers and popularity, they were creating more and more stars. With the media cramming to get every piece of UFC action into the mainstream, the company expanded into different regions like pro wrestling before them. With the comparisons eventual, Dana White proposed the slogan “As Real As It Gets”. The UFC wanted to break away from what pro wrestling was about and keep the company as diverse as possible. The UFC Hall of Fame was a legitimate sports award going to fighters who earned their way into it. The following fighters are the elite in mixed martial arts and join their brethren who walked before them.
Mark Coleman March 1, 2008 (UFC 82)
The “Godfather of Ground & Pound”, Mark Coleman was a unique fighter for his time. Coleman, nicknamed “The Hammer” for his vicious poundings that he puts on to his opponents with his fists was one of the first fighters to punch fighters into submission. He had high profile fights with Dan Severn and Pedro Rizzo, he won the UFC 10 and UFC 11 Tournaments and became a legend in Pride Fighting Championship. Coleman was a man before his time and was added to the Hall of Fame on March 1, 2008 at UFC 82 before Anderson Silva beat Dan Henderson to unify the UFC and Pride Middleweight Championships.
Chuck Liddell July 11, 2009 (UFC 100)
Photo Credit: Bad intentionz via Wikipedia
The “Iceman” scared the hell out of people. When you were in the octagon with Chuck Liddell, chances are you were getting prepared to get knocked out. Liddell was an unknown coming into the UFC at UFC 17 on May 15, 1998. He stood out because of his short mohawk, his now world famous trademark. HE worked his way up the ranks until facing Randy Couture on June 6, 2003 at UFC 43. Liddell was knocked out by Couture that day, but it created a foundation for each man as their rivalry grew to epic fights that everyone wanted to see. After stringing together enough wins, he again faced Randy Couture on April 16, 2005 at UFC 52 and defeated Couture for the Light Heavyweight Championship by knockout. At UFC 57 on February 4, 2006, Couture was chasing Liddell for the Light heavyweight title, but the “Iceman” picked apart his opponent and retained the title. He won a few more fights and eventually lost the Light Heavyweight title to Rampage Jackson at UFC 71. Liddell was the first UFC fighter to be on the cover of ESPN magazine and he’s acted in nearly a dozen movies in his career. Liddell was the first fighter to cross the mainstream and be recognized by hollywood stars who were fans.
Charles Lewis, Jr. July 11, 2009 (UFC 100)
In the same night that Chuck Liddell was inducted into the Hall of Fame, so was another famous Ultimate Fighting Championship member. One of the three founders of the TapOut clothing line, Charles “Mask” Lewis, Jr. was inducted posthumously becoming the first and so far, only non-fighter to be included. Lewis was killed March 11, 2009 in an automobile crash that also seriously injured his girlfriend. He was allegedly in a high speed street race with another car when his Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale collided with a 1977 Porche and sent him into a street light. The impact killed Lewis and sent shockwaves throughout the UFC community. “Mask” will forever be a part of the UFC family and his contributions to the product led him into the UFC HAll of Fame.
Matt Hughes May 29, 2010 (UFC 114)
Photo Credit: Tom Nguyen via Wikipedia
The fight that catapulted Hughes into fame in the UFC started at UFC 34 on November 2, 2001 against Carlos Newton. They were locked up against the cage. Hughes had Newton in a powerbomb position and Newton had hughes in a choke with his legs. Hughes dropped from lack of blood flow and passed out. As he landed, Newton hit his head and was knocked out. The referee, John McCarthy, called for the bell and Hughes was awarded the UFC Welterweight title. His run with the title became historic as he plowed through everyone in the division. He was finally stopped by BJ Penn at UFC 46. Penn and Georges St. Pierre became the biggest rivals to Matt Hughes. Hughes became the first fighter to tally an impressive 18 wins and 2 time 6 fight win streak in the UFC. Hughes deservedly went into the Hall of Fame on May 29, 2010 at UFC 114.
Tito Ortiz July 7, 2012 (UFC 148)
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
The ” Huntington Beach Bad Boy” was very young coming into the UFC as a cornerman before starting his impressive run in the company. He was a character that people either loved or hated and the crowds would pay money for him to get beat down. His first trainer was none other than Tank Abbott. Ortiz debuted with a win over Guy Mezger at UFC 13 on May 30, 1997. His first loss was almost two years later at UFC 22 by Frank Shamrock, brother of Ken Shamrock. He beat Wanderlei Silva at UFC 25 for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, his first title in UFC. He went on a tear with the belt only to be stopped at UFC 44 by fellow Hall of Famer Randy Couture. He was really never the same after that. He won some and lost some, but he did beat Ken Shamrock in their trilogy. Sadly, on July 7, 2012 at UFC 148, he retired after losing a decision to Forrest Griffin and being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Ortiz always drew people into the arenas to see him and he was a great trainer on the Ultimate Fighter reality series.
You may also want to check out UFC Hall of Fame: The Elite ( 2003 to 2006).
