Jens Pulver belongs in the UFC Hall of Fame

An intelligent UGer recently called for the first UFC lightweight champion, Jens Pulver, to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

From: SensoriaUtopia

Posts: 97 

I have a huge respect for guys like Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin, and though some people think they don’t belong in the ufc Hall of Fame, I personally think it’s cool they are in there, but I am stunned that they got in before Jens Pulver. How on God’s green earth is that fair? I also wish we had a MMA hall of fame, that would trump the UFC hall of fame, as it would be total MMA, but that is another story.

I am not knowing what else a guy need’s to do, seems like Jens Pulver earned it the right way, on his fighting merit. Jens not only was the UFC’s first lw champ, he did it showing a really nice all around game. On top of that, looking back I have even more respect for his accomplishments in the p4p sense as he was a tiny 155er’, I mean even when he dropped to 145, he was still a small 145 er, and I think he even has fights at 135. He has also been a great ambassador to the sport and I bet a lot of smaller weight fighters where inspired by both him and BJ. It’s kind of sad in a way that it even needs to be addressed on a MMA forum, in my eyes the guy is slam dunk HOF’er and I just don’t get why he has not been in the hall for years on end already. The guts he had to take on beasts like Mach and Bj and the love and dedication he had to stick through the sport even fighting on small shows, he was not just in it for the glory he was in it because it was who he was.

Anyways, sorry for babbling on, I just think pioneers like him should be respected because they make it easier for the Jose Aldo’s and Frankie Edgar’s. I just think he has the total package to get in, great person, great skill, well rounded, showed the dedication, more than payed his dues, and inspired many including me. Hopefully Zuffa does what is right.

Then Jens himself posted.

From: Jens Pulver

Posts: 487 

I will always be thankful for all of you, the Fans, fighters, media, old UFC, and of Course Dana white, Lorenzo Fertitta and Zuffa for making the UFC the monster it is today. I hope that one day MMA will be as big.

I have had some cool wins and some not so cool losses. Towards the end I just mentally was losing to anxiety and I used MMA the same way I used wrestling – to keep me focused and on a path to better myself as a person. I may have hurt the fighter I was, but damn I am forever thankful for all that the UFC and MMA did for me, allowing me to meet a world of people, see places I never thought I would see, to perform in front of you and most of all to be able to give my family some smiles and some stories along the way.

I still remember when I left everything I knew in pursuit of being a champion, I remember being told we were going to have me fight in the UFC and I was going to start the 155 lbs class. When Zuffa came in and made it official by having me fight for the world title against Uno I knew I was a part of something special and I knew I was finally going to have a chance to fight for what I had dreamed about. I have always said I want to see the little guys get their shot at this sport. I will always be the “Godfather of lightweights in MMA” I will always have memories to share to my family. I will always remember the people who made it possible in my life from the mentors, to the coaches, the family, the teams, and all of you.

Do I have my regrets? Oh hell yes I do, do I have some sorrys to say? yes I do. I am not on here to say I belong in the HOF. I am just thankful I belonged at all… 

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