Flyweight legend Demetrious Johnson headlined the 2026 induction class alongside fellow former champions Dominick Cruz and Chris Weidman
The ceremony honored the 2020 Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk title fight while posthumously inducting longtime editorial director Thomas Gerbasi
Former two-division champion Alex Pereira received the Forrest Griffin Community Award for his humanitarian efforts supporting underprivileged youth in Brazil
The UFC Hall of Fame 2026 induction ceremony took place on July 9 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Serving as a cornerstone of International Fight Week leading up to UFC 329, the event celebrated the organization’s most influential figures across multiple eras. Executives honored a diverse group of champions, legendary fights and essential contributors who helped shape modern mixed martial arts.
Demetrious Johnson led the Modern Wing class to solidify his status as one of the greatest athletes in combat sports history. “Mighty Mouse” carved out an unprecedented legacy by recording 11 consecutive title defenses. His dominant championship run introduced a level of technical mastery previously unseen in the Octagon. Fans widely remember his iconic flying armbar submission against Ray Borg and a record-setting last-second finish of Kyoji Horiguchi.
Joining the flyweight pioneer in the Modern Wing were fellow former titleholders Dominick Cruz and Chris Weidman. Cruz established the blueprint for bantamweight success during his WEC tenure and early organizational crossover. That initial dominance indirectly catalyzed the creation of the 125-pound division where Johnson ultimately reigned supreme. Weidman earned his induction after a historic middleweight run that began with a shocking 2013 knockout victory over Anderson Silva. The American subsequently defended his belt against heavy hitters like Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort.
Beyond the Modern Wing, the gala celebrated the first strawweight title bout between Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Spectators widely consider their 2020 clash to be one of the greatest fights ever contested inside a cage. In the Contributor Wing, officials formally recognized the late Thomas Gerbasi. Receiving a posthumous nod, the longtime writer and editorial director was honored for two decades of tirelessly documenting the sport’s global expansion.
Festivities also spotlighted the charitable initiatives of Alex Pereira through the Forrest Griffin Community Award. The former two-division champion founded the Instituto Poatan in Sao Paulo to support underprivileged children. Operating out of a renovated building, the non-profit provides free after-school tutoring, English courses and jiu-jitsu training to more than 500 local youths. This award recognition includes a direct financial donation from the UFC Foundation to help expand these essential community development programs.
