Former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar is set to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame this year as a member of the 2024 class. The induction will take place this summer in Las Vegas during International Fight Week. The announcement took Edgar by surprise when he attended UFC 297 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada.
The promotion revealed during the broadcast on Saturday night that Edgar will be joining the list of several legendary fighters who have been in the Hall of Fame. Following the surprise video package, the audience rose to their feet and applauded Edgar, who was seen wiping tears away from his face.
Frankie Edgar: It was a special moment
Speaking with ESPN MMA, Frankie Edgar said that he was completely surprised with the video package and announcement of the Hall of Fame. Here is what he said:
“Honestly, someone said they were going to do something for the fight of the year, like a preview. So I thought it was that at first. And I said, ‘they’re inducting me into the Hall of Fame.’ I was floored. I really was. It was a special moment.”
UFC CEO Dana White also shared a statement:
”Frankie Edgar is one of the greatest athletes in UFC history. Frankie had an amazing career and consistently fought the best athletes in the world across multiple weight classes for more than 15 years. He is a legend, and it will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame as part of International Fight Week this summer.’
A look at Frankie Edgar’s UFC career
At UFC 67: All or Nothing, Edgar fought his first UFC battle against Tyson Griffin. The three-round match was decided unanimously in favor of “The Answer.” At UFC Fight Night 13, he endured a defeat to Gray Maynard in the UFC for the first time. Nobody thought that the defeat would set up one of the most storied rivalries in mixed martial arts history.
The duo battled three matches in the octagon during their careers. Each has defeated the other once, and their second encounter ended in a draw. After a slew of outstanding performances, “The Answer” defeated BJ Penn via unanimous decision at UFC 112. This earned him his first UFC gold. Edgar went on an undefeated seven-fight run from 2008 to 2012.