Jens Pulver, the UFC’s very first lightweight champion, will join this year’s Hall of Fame class. “Li’l Evil’s” induction was announced during Saturday’s UFC 283 broadcast.
Pulver, now 48, held several stints in the UFC, beginning in UFC 22 in 1999. He won the organization’s inaugural 155-pound title against Caol Uno at UFC 30 in 2001. He also fought fellow legend B.J. Penn, whom he coached against in the fifth season of the Ultimate Fighter. Penn and Pulver hold one win apiece over each other.
“Jens Pulver is a pioneer of the sport who was not only the first lightweight champion in UFC history, but someone who delivered some of the sport’s most memorable moments,” said UFC President Dana White (via UFC.