New Inductee for 2015 UFC Hall Of Fame

By Ryan Frederick, WrestlingObserver.com

Bas Rutten was announced as joining the 2015 class being inducted into the UFC Hall Of Fame during International Fight Week on July 11. UFC President Dana White made the announcement during Friday’s edition of Inside MMA on AXStv, which Rutten co-hosts with Ron Kruck.

Rutten will be inducted into the pioneers era wing of the UFC Hall Of Fame as a fighter who made his debut during the pioneers era of mixed martial arts. He joins fellow inductees Jeff Blatnick in the contributors wing, and Matt Hughes and Frank Trigg in the fight wing, commemorating their bout at UFC 52 in 2005. An additional inductee, who will go into the modern era wing, will be announced on Saturday during UFC 187.

Rutten was a former King Of Pancrase, and he fought in the UFC just twice, defeating Tsuyoshi Kohsaka at UFC 18 in January 1999, and then defeating Kevin Randleman at UFC 20 in May 1999 to become the UFC Heavyweight Champion. He would later vacate the championship and fight just once more in his career, a win over Ruben Villareal in July 2006 in his final bout. Rutten has since transitioned into acting, along with his hosting duties on Inside MMA.

He will join Royce Gracie, Dan Severn and Chuck Liddell in the pioneer era wing.