Inaugural UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver breaks down after finding out about UFC Hall of Fame

Publish date: 2024-05-07

Former UFC lightweight champ Jens Pulver has finally found his much deserved place in the UFC's Hall of Fame. Pulver's addition to the Hall of Fame class of 2023 was announced during the UFC 284 broadcast.

The moment 'Little Evil' heard the announcement of his induction was captured on camera. The inaugural UFC lightweight champ heartwarmingly broke down as he repeated in disbelief:

"Shut the f*** up. Shut the f*** up. Shut up, are you serious? No way, no way, no way."

Catch Jen Pulver's reaction below:

Pulver became the inaugural UFC lightweight champ with a decision win over Japanese stalwart Caol Uno in 2001 at UFC 30, the first event put together by Dana White and the Fertitta brothers.

Jens Pulver's manager Brian Butler-Au, founder and and managing partner of Sucker Punch Entertainment, has long pushed for the former champ's induction into the UFC Hall of Fame. While he congratulated Pulver and Butler-Au, Ariel Helwani wrote with a hint of criticism directed towards the UFC:

"Jens Pulver made the UFC HOF feel important. He campaigned for this induction for years. Never understood what took so long but better late never, right? He wanted it so badly. So happy for @jens_pulver and his manager @BrianButler_Au, who campaigned tirelessly for this."

When Jens Pulver's injury led to a victory

Jens Pulver's UFC career ended with a submission to BJ Penn following which 'Little Evil' went on to compete in several other promotions like the WEC, Titan FC and ONE Championship.

The former UFC lightweight champ took on Ya Fei Zhao at ONE FC 6 in his sophomore promotional outing. Pulver absorbed several heavyshots early on in an attempt to control the center of the cage.

'Little Evil' eventually found his momentum in the second round, even knocking down his Chinese opponent. However, things took a nasty turn in the third round as Zhao landed consecutive groin kicks, forcing a stop to the action. While the first was mostly glancing, the second kick was brutal enough to render Pulver unable to continue.

As per ONE rules, the decision was up to the judges after the expiry of the injury stoppage time. All three judges, scoring the bout as a whole instead of by rounds, saw it in favor of Pulver making it the final win of his career.

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