Jens Pulver Added To UFC Hall Of Fame Class Of 2023

Former UFC champion Jens Pulver will be honored this summer.

Pulver has been announced as the latest inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame. He will be part of the Class of 2023, which will be honored during the 11th annual UFC International Fight Week in Las Vegas.

“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. “No one will ever forget his knockout of John Lewis or his win over BJ Penn in their first fight, and his fight against Urijah Faber in 2008 was the biggest fight in WEC history at the time.

“Jens could do it all in the Octagon, and it will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”

Pulver will become the 18th member of the Pioneers Era category of the hall. He won 27 fights in his career including victories over BJ Penn and Cub Swanson.

He made his UFC debut back in 1999, earning his first title shot at UFC 30 with the fifth-fastest knockout in promotion history.

Pulver won his first UFC title in 2001 with a victory over Caol Uno, becoming the first-ever UFC lightweight champion. He defended his title at the first sanctioned UFC event by the Nevada State Athletic Commission later that year.