Former heavyweight champion Maurice Smith will be enshrined in the UFC’s Hall of Fame this summer.
The news was announced during the UFC Fight Night 108 broadcast on Saturday night. Smith will be inducted into the promotion’s “Pioneer” wing during a ceremony on July 6 as part of International Fight Week in Las Vegas. The “Pioneer” wing honors fighters who debuted prior to UFC 28 or Nov. 17, 2000. Smith joins Urijah Faber, who will be inducted into the “Modern Era” wing this summer, as the latest UFC Hall of Fame entrants.
A multi-time world champion as a kickboxer, Smith made waves when he shocked Mark Coleman via unanimous decision to win the heavyweight crown in his Octagon debut at UFC 14 on July 27, 1997.