Bruce Connal named to 2018 UFC Hall of Fame
Pioneering television producer Bruce Connal has been named to the UFC Hall of Fame class for 2018 as a Contributor.
Award-winning television producer Bruce Alexander Connal passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2018 after a brief illness, at the age of 61. Connal was one of the first producers at ESPN in 1979, and would go on to produce a vast range of live sports worldwide from the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona Spain, the North American Scrabble Championship, and and the Pillsbury Bake Off, to professional baseball, basketball, tennis, lacrosse, football and hockey, and above all, mixed martial arts.
Connal began producing MMA broadcasts at UFC 17 in 1998 and produced in all over 300 live UFC events. During the UFC 223 broadcast, it was announced that Connal was the first figure named to the 2018 UFC Hall of Fame.
Via UFC.com.
Pioneering television producer Bruce Connal has been named to the UFC Hall of Fame class for 2018 as a Contributor. With his selection, Connal becomes the fifth inductee of the UFC Hall of Fame’s ‘Contributor Wing’ and third welcomed posthumously. The 2018 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 5 in Las Vegas. The event will be streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS.
Bruce was a close friend to all of us here at UFC and he was also one of the most talented television producers I’ve ever seen, UFC President Dana White said. Bruce did an amazing job producing the most successful events in UFC history and he will be sorely missed. I’m thrilled that his family is here with us tonight at UFC 223, and we’re looking forward to having them join us in Las Vegas to celebrate Bruce’s life and career when we induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame class of 2018.
Bruce was an amazing friend, husband, father, and member of the Zuffa family whose presence will be greatly missed, UFC Executive Vice President of Operations and Production Craig Borsari said. Bruce’s influence on our live event production over the past two decades has played a vital role in shaping how millions of fans watch UFC events. We’re honored to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2018.
The remaining inductees of the UFC Hall of Fame class of 2018 will be announced in the coming weeks leading to the 7th Annual UFC International Fight Week™, which takes place from Tuesday, July 3 through Saturday, July 7 in Las Vegas.
Connal leaves behind his wife Karen, and children Tyler, Carly and Trevor. Donations can be made in his memory to Trinity Academy School at trinityday.org.