UFC
UFC unveils changes to Hall of Fame, now split into four new wings
May 5, 2015 - 3:50:42 PM UFC unveils changes to Hall of Fame, now split into four new wings

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The UFC Hall of Fame is getting a bit of an overhaul for 2015, and a new class of inductees are coming during International Fight Week in Las Vegas this July.

The organization announced on Tuesday that they are now separating the Hall of Fame into four separate "wings" in the following categories:

Modern era wing: commemorating fighters who made their pro MMA debut in the modern era

Pioneers era wing: commemorating fighters who made their pro MMA debut in the pioneers era

Contributors wing: commemorating significant contributions outside of active competition

Fight wing: commemorating the greatest and most important bouts in the sport's history

"The UFC Hall of Fame has an important job – it not only celebrates greatness but it helps pass stories of the greatest athletes and fights in UFC history on to the next generation of fight fans," said UFC President Dana White in a press release. "We're looking forward to announcing the class of 2015 and what is going to be a great induction event on July 11."

For the 12 names already in the Hall of Fame, they have now been separated as follows:

Modern Era
Forrest Griffin (inducted 2013)

Pioneers
Royce Gracie (inducted 2003)
Ken Shamrock (inducted 2003)
Dan Severn (inducted 2005)
Randy Couture (inducted 2006)
Mark Coleman (inducted 2008)
Chuck Liddell (inducted 2009)
Matt Hughes (inducted 2010)
Tito Ortiz (inducted 2012)
Pat Miletich (inducted 2014)

Fights
Forrest Griffin vs Stephan Bonnar I, April 2005 (inducted 2014)

Contributors
Charles "Mask" Lewis (inducted 2009)

For a fighter to be eligible in the "Modern" wing, they must be 35 years of age and older or have been retired for a full calendar year, and must have made their professional debut after November 17, 2000. That's the date of UFC 28, the first UFC event under the unified rules of mixed martial arts, and the dividing line between the "Modern" and "Pioneer" eras.

The same criteria apply for the "Pioneer" era, but their debut must have come prior to November 17, 2000. Accomplishments in the UFC are being considered most heavily, though outside accomplishments in the sport will be taken into account.

The new slate of inductees is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, with additions to each of the wings expected. White is leading an "internal committee" to determine the inductees.

In addition to the new breakdown for the Hall of Fame, it was revealed that preliminary plans are under way for a physical UFC Hall of Fame in Las Vegas to be unveiled in the next two to three years.

Get even more information from the UFC on the new breakdown in their Frequently Asked Question post.

[Dana White art by Travis Beaven (c) MMATorch.com]