Vitor Belfort became the 55th inductee into the prestigious UFC Hall of Fame as announced at UFC 315 this past weekend. This honor is bestowed upon athletes who have competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and made major contributions and accomplishments in the sport.
It seems the promotion is placing a major emphasis on Hall of Fame recognition in 2025, with three inductees in as many pay-per-view events. That’s hardly a coincidence. As the UFC has faced criticism lately for hosting lackluster events, this move adds to the overall production value (but that’s a topic for another blog).
This raises the question: who should be next? And what exactly is the path to getting there? Also, why are some fighters still not in?
Criteria for UFC Hall of Fame Induction
There doesn’t appear to be a specific formula for induction, so for now, we’ll stick with patterns observed in past classes:
- Fighters must have a winning record (sorry, Tank Abbott fans).
- They should be influential in the development of the UFC or mixed martial arts as a whole.
- World championships and significant title reigns are often a key factor.
In terms of influence, the first bout between Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin is a prime example. Even though this was the pinnacle of Stephan’s career, his legendary fight with Forrest helped shape modern MMA, giving the industry a defining moment to build from.
It’s also rumored that being “on good terms” with the UFC is necessary for induction. However, the inductions of Don Frye and Tito Ortiz suggest otherwise—though we’ll revisit that topic later.
Frank Mir
Mir is a two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion, holding the record for the most submission victories in the division. With notable finishes over Tim Sylvia, Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira (twice), and Brock Lesnar, Mir also showed exceptional longevity, with a UFC career spanning 15 years.
It’s a bit of a head-scratcher as to why he isn’t already in the UFC Hall of Fame. Some valid arguments could involve his unclear retirement status or his departure from the company. Regardless, this one isn’t a matter of “if,” but “when.”
Josh Barnett
Barnett is one of the most notable heavyweights in MMA history. After capturing UFC gold, he had a successful stint in Pride FC before returning for another run in the modern UFC era. Competing at a high level across two decades is no small feat.
However, his rocky relationship with the UFC—especially Dana White—and multiple failed drug tests may be what’s keeping him out of the UFC Hall of Fame.
Frank Shamrock
This one’s particularly interesting. Frank was the UFC’s first Light Heavyweight Champion (originally called the Middleweight Championship). He compiled a perfect 5-0 record in the promotion and defended his title four times.
His most notable bout was the instant classic against Tito Ortiz at UFC 22, where he defeated Tito via strikes. That fight alone deserves a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing. Shamrock was also one of the first fighters to showcase a truly well-rounded skill set, making him a pivotal figure in the sport’s early growth.
Unfortunately, Frank has a long-standing and very public feud with Dana White. He’s even gone as far as questioning the Hall of Fame’s integrity due to his exclusion—an act that some believe disrespects those already inducted. I don’t see Frank Shamrock getting in any time soon.
Conclusion
The UFC Hall of Fame will likely be a hot topic of discussion over the next year. As the conversation builds, casual fans will begin researching the legends of the sport to speculate on who’s next.
While the UFC has made amends with many former fighters over the years, it still appears that being cordial—or even friendly—with the UFC brass helps your chances. Unlike Major League Baseball, where a committee of sportswriters vote on inductees, the UFC has complete control over who gets in.
By the way… who is on that committee?
