The UFC’s inaugural lightweight champion is officially Hall of Fame bound. During the UFC 284 pay-per-view broadcast, it was announced that Jens Pulver would be a part of the UFC 2023 Hall of Fame class.

Pulver started his mixed martial arts career in 1999, fighting twice in tournaments early in the year and picking up a win over future lightweight title challenger Joe Stevenson. By that September, Pulver made his UFC debut, battling Alfonso Alcarez to a draw at UFC 22.

Pulver would continue to compete in and outside of the Octagon at an incredible rate. In his seventh fight of 2000, Pulver scored an all-time highlight reel knockout of John Lewis at UFC 28, a win that set him up to battle Japanese star Caol Uno to crown the first-ever 155-pound champion for the promotion.