First class of 2015 UFC HOF inductees announced

The 2015 UFC Hall of Fame class will be inducted on July 11, during the UFC Fan Expo in Las Vegas. This is the first class that uses the new wings structure:

Modern Era Wing;

Pioneers Era Wing;

Contributors Wing; and,

Fight Wing.

Former UFC commentator Jeff Blatnick will be inducted as a Contributor, and Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg will be inducted into the Fight wing.

Former 1984 Olympic gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling Jeff Blatnick was a UFC commentator from UFC 4 to UFC 32, and was named the promotion’s commissioner at UFC 17.

A heavyweight in every sense of the word, Jeff Blatnick coined the term mixed martial arts, was instrumental in setting up the Unified Rules of MMA, shepherded the sport during its most vulnerable period, and continued to work in the field as an MMA judge, most notably in New Jersey.

Before his involvement with MMA, Blatnick was one of the most storied wrestlers of his generation. He won States for New York’s Niskayuna High School in 1975. Next he won Div II nationals, twice, for Springfield College in Massachusetts. Blatnick made the 1980 Olympic team, but was unable to compete due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and subsequent Olympic boycott.

Two year later he was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma. Treatment included removal of his spleen and appendix and treatments with radiation, but he came back to not only make the team, but win gold. Blatnick and teammate Steve Fraser were the first Americans to ever win Olympic gold in Greco.

After winning, a tearful Blatnick declared “I’m a happy dude.” The sentiment was seen and felt across the planet.

A return of cancer forced his retirement, but his love of the wrestling was such that he worked for decades as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach for his local Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, even as he traveled the world as a motivational speaker and sports commentator.

Jeff Blatnick was as humble as he was great. If I didn’t have cancer, nobody would know who I was, he said in 2007. Not a lot of wrestlers make the news.

Jeff Blatnick died on October 24, 2012 at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, N.Y., as a result of complications from heart surgery. He was 55 years old.

The other induction will recognize Matt Hughes as the first two-time inductee.

Hughes vs. Trigg II took place at UFC 52 on April 16, 2005, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, and saw furious back and forth action, with Hughes securing a rear naked choke late in the first.

I’ve said it a million times over the last 10 years, Hughes vs Trigg II is one of my favorite fights ever,” said White. :In four minutes five seconds, it showed everything that is great about the UFC.”

Inductees in the Modern Era and “Pioneer Era wings will be announced this weekend.