(Hint: It’s these guys.)
MMA Fanhouse tips us that two new names will be added to the UFC Hall of Fame during the UFC Fan Expo on July 10th, the day before UFC 100 — meaning there’s only two months left before our t-shirt becomes outdated (at which point we’ll jack up the price and call it a "collector’s item," obviously). As the official announcement goes:
Allow us to speculate wildly…
— Notice it says "worthy members of the UFC world," and not "fighters"? That seems like a pretty clear sign that a peripheral figure may be inducted, namely Charles "Mask" Lewis, the TapouT co-founder who gained patron saint status when he died in a car wreck in March. Considering all he did to support young fighters and help develop the sport during his lifetime, Lewis seems like a shoe-in.
— Chuck Liddell, the UFC’s longtime franchise player, is probably a lock for the next fighter spot, unless Dana White is so pissed at his refusal to retire that he decides to give the honor to somebody else. Which would make sense, after all: If the Hall of Fame is for retired fighters, you don’t get to enter until you’ve called it quits.
— Dark horse: If Matt Hughes loses to Matt Serra at UFC 98, it’ll signal the end of his career as much as Chuck’s loss to Shogun signaled the end of the Iceman’s. (Meaning, it’ll be over even if he thinks it isn’t.) With a 9-2 record in welterweight title fights, Hughes is one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history, and he’ll definitely get the honor as soon as he retires. If he does that before July, he might sneak in before Liddell.
— Very dark horse: Tank Abbott. The original Huntington Beach Bad Boy owns the most losses in UFC history (10), and was fighting when the prize was going to jail. That’s gotta count for something, right?
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Comments
Thu, 05/07/09 - 11:59
Dying in a car wreck is the best thing that happened to that Drag Queen, Mask. It made him more popular than when he was alive. Kinda like Aaliyah.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:00
if they put in mask, they have to put in helio gracie too. otherwise this is all a fucking sham.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:01
first
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:01
Fucking right on about Mask, thats bullshit, dont care if he let Chucky sleep on his couch or not. When guys like Helio and/or Don Frye are passed over, its kinda an insult to the true pioneers and Hall of Famers imo. Dana is Dana thou unfort.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:02
I think you're spot on on them points.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:02
Ben you're so clever! It's truly, honestly, serriously, for-real for-real no play play, is beyond specteculary amazing.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:03
Then again, I would fucking laugh and cry if that Mask-man would be in the hall of fame. "I SOLD CLOTH BEFORE IN THE BACK OF A VAN!". Cry me a river, build a bridge and get over it.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:04
"insert funny quote here" HAHAHAHAHAHAH just kidding.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:06
So Randy gets put in, and then has a long drawn out legal battle...Chuck could do the same! I think putting Mask in should've been done when he was still around though.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:07
I agree...if they are going to put these two in the hall of fame, dont you think they should take a look at all the people they have over looked? Perhaps its time they added more then just TWO names to the hall of fame and do things right.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:07
Why the hell would Helio get inducted? Maybe Royrion or however you spell that. An argument for Tito should defniitely be made. But that would probably happen over Dana's dead body. Others to consider... Bas, Militech (I'm only considering retirees)
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:08
My vote is Helio Gracie, and Evan Tanner. Remember them, Dana?
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:08
You all are idiots, it's obviously going to be Tito and Babalu...
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:09
Think they just wanted to wait until now to induct Evan Tanner if they have the intent to even do that? Could be Chuck but that's iffy if he doesn't actually announce a retirement.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:09
Why would Helio Gracie get inducted??? The only reason i could think NOT to let Helio in, is because he was never directly related to the UFC. Why would you not put the founder of BJJ in?
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:10
Evan Tanner is my guess.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:10
Can i just have a shirt? fuck man. Mask deserves it, so does Helio, and Tanner. Im not sure if Chuck wants that right now, I'm pretty sure he still wants to fight, I mean, hey, Michael Jordan came back out of retirement right?
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:11
Exactly, isn't it the UFC Hall of Fame. I'm not saying he's not deserving of honors, but not UFC.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:14
Even so, for the sport of MMA, dont you think in all reality Helio did more for it, then Charles Lewis?? If you think about it Helio did more for the UFC without ever having to have been affiliated......Unless you look at it as...his sons came to America and co-founded the UFC with Royce Gracie as the small man in the ring who can beat everyone....but i mean, depends how ya look at it....
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:19
Who gives a big fucking crap? And thank god Boy George didnt die when he was young, wed have eulogized another cross-dresser. Apart for the nuthuggers, how is Affliction any different from the ugly shit Tapout sells? Both rely on retards with more money than taste who believe they live a 'lifestyle', both companies treated their fighters well (Affliction will ruin themselves because they payed the fighters too well). Had Attencio stayed in 'the family' and kept peddling shirts and died we would have had this same conversation. Hall of fame for selling shirts? Im sure the producer of TUF has to be next then.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:19
Definitely Evan Tanner. Maybe Marco Ruas as well....
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:20
I disagree if that were the case he should have been the first person inducted. Why don't we induct Bruce Lee then?
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:21
shocked to see that Frye wasn't in there too.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:22
Bruce Lee is so far out of this discussion it makes no sense?
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:24
put helio in on the merit that he created the fighting system that made the ufc and mma what it is today. without helio's contributions to the world of martial arts, these would all be really sloppy kickboxing and lay-n-pray shit fests. i understand the argument about never fighting, but i think it would be a nice honor for the man and family, and a good way to show these noobs that jiu jitsu didn't start 16 years ago. and, forgive me for leaving out tanner. he should definitely go this time.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:27
wow...just amazed at all this dicks typing nastiness on the computer from their desk-jobs or dorm rooms, or parent's basements about guys who DID SOMETHING with their lives and will be remembered for their accomplishments, no matter how trivial they are to you. yeah, Mask "sold cloth out of his trunk", but the guy made milions and helped a lot of up and coming fighters become well-paid pro fighters. what have YOU done to make your mark in the world? Helio and Chuck probably got more done of consquence and substance last weekend than you did last year...and one of them is dead! a lot of sad angry pricks on here, for sure.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:29
Bruce Lee invented Win Chun which is practiced by Anderson Silva its just a ridiculous argument for the inventor of a fight style that had nothing to do with the sport other than being the father of some of the creators. Yeah Helio is awesome he should be in a bjj HOF or mma HOF but not UFC in my opinion. And probably not mask either. Its too soon in the history of the game to not be putting fighters in. I'm sure at some point in the future, trainers will get in there and some other people like announcers. I bet Rogan will get inducted, but not yet.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:29
Phil Baroni is waiting by the phone.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:33
No Comment on that Win Chun.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:33
Don Frye Evan Tanner Chuck Mask Anyone of those 4 guys is fine with me. I cant see Helio since he never had anything to do with the UFC... yea he was the founder of BJJ but never part of the UFC. All of those other guys above were all part of the UFC and were great fighters. Mask was a longtime sponser for the UFC and its fighters so I am ok with him as a choice. Keep in mind this is the UFC HAll of Fame and not the MMA HAll of Fame.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:34
It's gotta be WarMachine or Junie Browning. Both are legends.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:37
evan tanner anyone
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:38
Big John
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:39
Say what you want about Mask but you ask any fighter and they will tell you that he's deserved. Hes done more for the sport in terms of supporting fighters who otherwise would never have been able to pursue their passion and dream. If funny because I know without a doubt in my mind that most of you didn't even watch the sport until SPIKE TV made it popular and cool. That just makes you a bunch of bandwagoner's. This guys was supporting the sport when people considedered it a joke. So crack on him all you want but the fact of the matter is that the guy was real and you faggots are nothing more than puck bitches reaching for a nipple. R.I.P. Mask!!! the rest of you can suck a dick.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:39
Franklin McNeil's "sources" just told me that the new inductees are "none other than Tito Ortiz and Frank Shamrock."
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:40
Kimbo and Tim Sylvia. It has to be them right? Just dicking around fuck that big nostriled nigga. "Cloth in the back of van" was fucking awesome.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:42
They could make it like the Rock & Roll hall of fame and put everyone in it. I do think Mask and Chuck should be in it though.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:46
Nick Diaz, homie
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:46
To say that Helio had nothing to do with the UFC just isn't true. helio and Rorion gracie materminded the whole concept of the UFC. Also, Helio coached Royce outside the ring at UFC 1 and 2 ...SO THERE! I'd be cool with: Tanner: Cool dude and a great fighter. Helio: The argument could be made that he's the father of MMA. Mask: While I never cared for the TapouT guys antics, they did support the sport and the folks they supported appreciated them and loved 'em back. I'm cool with it. He touched a lot of guys *pause* lives. Chuck: If, and only if, he is definitly retiring. Don't jerk us around! Hughes: ...same as Chuck. As much as I don't care for Hughes, there is no denying his contribution and record in the cage. Phil Baroni: I mean, come on. He's the best EVAH! ...everybody knows that!
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:58
suck. me. dry.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 12:59
To put in "Mask", who dies and almost kills an innocent woman in a street racing accident over a guy who actually fucking fought and was a champion in the UFC would be a disgusting joke.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 01:00
That guy being Evan Tanner*
Thu, 05/07/09 - 01:07
It should be Mask and Big John McCarthy in a combination Hall of Fame induction/farewell/welcome back ceremony.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 01:09
where is CAPS LOCK HAL?????
Thu, 05/07/09 - 01:12
I'M NOT GOING TO PUT DOWN ON MASK, BUT HE DOESN'T DESERVE TO BE IN THE UFC HALL OF FAME. THAT'S LIKE PUTTING A FAN IN THE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME. THE DUDE WAS DOING WHAT HE HAD TO DO TO MAKE A LIVING. THE HALL OF FAME SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR FIGHTERS.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 01:32
Dana White's gonna add himself.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 01:41
If they put in that clown (I'm not trying to be a dick but that's just the way he dresses), and don't put in Helio (BJJ founder), Rickson (no UFC without him), Dana (no mainstream UFC without him), Don Frye (for the popularity and the US flag shorts) and douchebags like Lesnar (who will prove to have been the cash cows Dana knew they would be. And the fans (yes, we all deserve a spot, as there's no anything without us, and our PPV dollars have helped a shitload more fighters than the clown above).
Thu, 05/07/09 - 01:49
"MASK" Are you FUCKING Kidding me?
Thu, 05/07/09 - 01:50
If Mask gets in and Evan Tanner doesn't I will officially make it my life's work to destroy the UFC
Thu, 05/07/09 - 01:57
@ Jersey "guys who DID SOMETHING with their lives and will be remembered for their accomplishments" You're a retard. Who the fuctk will remember this guy. And how little have you done that someone doing their job or running a business should be put on a pedestal and "remembered". I got the people in my province $34.4M in federal dollars today. Everyone remember me!!!!! Douchebag Some people here have done so little that they feel that businessmen are gods. You don't have to be a dick to question why this guy would be in the UFC Hall of Fame. But it's clear that you haven't done much
Thu, 05/07/09 - 01:57
Tom" the t-shirt guy" Allecio, makes sence.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 01:58
Agree that fans have done a lot more for fighters with PPV dollars that Mask. If money for the sport is a criterion of entry into the Hall, it'll be a big Hall.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 02:02
@ Wyatt "I think putting Mask in should've been done when he was still around though." Who knew that "drag-queen" would get in a street race, pose a danger to everyone around, kill himself and alomost kill others. The guy's a retard, and should be the last one to get in.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 02:13
If Attencio never went into promoting and stuck to selling t-shirts, wouldn't he as worthy? There are a lot of people who make money in this business and treat fighters like crap and then there are others who dont. Is Tapout the only company to treat athletes well?
Thu, 05/07/09 - 02:28
IF YOUR GOING TO INCLUDE HELIO FOR HIS BJJ TEACHINGS THEN YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE STANKY TO THEN RIGHT. I MEAN HE WAS THE SHIT. OLD STORIES AND HE GOT IN THE OCTAGON UNLIKE HELIO LOL.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 02:36
What the fuck,man? No disrespect to Lewis but he's (tentatively) getting into the Hall of Fame because he died. What about Evan Tanner? Mask get a very nice video package during a UFC event and Tanner had a picture fade in and fade out for about 7 seconds. What the fuck, man?
Thu, 05/07/09 - 02:45
I agree with why Mask should not be in the UFC HOF. Any credible HOF should have some criteria they follow and if some how Mask meets one of those, than other people like Don Frye, Helio, Big John, EVAN MOTHER FUCKIN TANNER and even Dana White himself should make it in. Tito should be a fucking lock even though he is a douche.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 03:02
if chuck does fill one of the spots, which is more than likely, its probably Dana's way of giving him something official that he's achieved, in light of his recent loses. That way chuck may be more inclined to retire, instead of taking up a pointless law suit against the ufc... then again, if he is done, why wont they just let him go? if he's as washed-up as Dana thinks he is then letting another organisation have him wouldn't be that harmful to the ufc
Thu, 05/07/09 - 03:21
Mask? What a load. He made a bunch of crappy tshirts and split his skull. Guess it doesn't take much to get in the HOF. Gracie, Couture, Mask. This is just wrong on so many levels.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 03:36
What's that clown got in his hand?
Thu, 05/07/09 - 03:37
If that douchebag queen didn't split his car off a post or tree or whatever the fuck he hit...if he was still alive he wouldn't be considered. Since when is being a douchebag, killing yourself and endangering others a criterion for entry into a Hall of Fame. Please, the guy sold clothing
Thu, 05/07/09 - 03:40
Chuck's pose is lame. How much time did he spend in the mirror trying to perfect that shit. The pose is lame...the fighter is (was) sweet, though
Thu, 05/07/09 - 04:02
right on jersey
Thu, 05/07/09 - 04:15
This would be a pretty cool event if it wasn't for Dana White's keynote address.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 04:38
Bruce Lee didn't invent " Win Chun ", he studied Wing Chun Kung Fu as a boy, he invented Jeet Kune Do which combines aspects of many different styles.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 05:01
hughes is 9-3 in title fights! lose bj penn lose gsp 2 TIMES
Thu, 05/07/09 - 05:04
If Helio is inducted (and no disrespect to him) then Dr. Kano should be too. If you look at your history Helio was a Judo student. The definitive differences in BJJ are many of the changes made for Judo.... mostly training techniques and ways to practice with opponents. Neither of these two had anything to do with the UFC. oh... and Dana is the Don King of MMA... i hope he leaves and stops corrupting the sport.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 05:05
@ Phelps... Bruce Lee did not invent wing chun, he was just a student of it before he created Jeet Kune Do. I think it was a dude named Yip Man who invented Wing Chun and taught it to his son and another guy named William Chueng. Chueng was Bruce Lee's teacher.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 07:02
I have to agree with New Jersey some of you guys are obvious fucking trolls trying to get a rise out of people on here. Take that shit over to sherdog you fucking sad little assholes. Its an opinion of some people that Mask should be in the HOF, you dont have to agree with it but present a sensible reason why not instead of acting like children and calling him a cross dresser because he wore face paint. Last time I checked that wasnt cross dressing, that means to wear the opposite sex's clothes for all you dropouts out there.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 07:37
MASK SHOULD NOT BE IN THE HALL OF FAME. HE DRESSED LIKE A CLOWN, SOLD TSHIRTS AND DROVE HIS CAR AT ILLEGAL HIGH SPEEDS AND KILLED HIMSELF. HE'S NOT WORTHY AT ALL. HE SHOULD BE INDUCTED INTO THE HALL OF LAME INSTEAD.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 07:40
MOST OF YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHO MASK WAS TILL HE DIED. AND IF YOU DID YOU PROBABLY THOUGHT HE WAS A DOUCHEBAG LIKE MOST OF US DID BECAUSE OF HIS AND HIS FRIENDS STUPID GIMMICKS. NOW HE'S DEAD AND A HERO, GIVE ME A BREAK. THE GUY SOLD TSHIRTS FOR CHRIST SAKE, TSHIRTS! THAT'S NOT HALL OF FAME WORTHY. DON'T KID YOURSELVES.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 11:18
Fedor for hall o' fame.
Fri, 05/08/09 - 04:25
mask is a reach. Iceman is a lock. you know what...Tank should be in. Do you rate by wins or by wars? Tanks, and Oleg Taktarov both fought very memorable wars. they weren't big winners. Big john and Joe Rogan are my dark horses.
Fri, 05/08/09 - 06:23
A lot of stupidity in these comments... "Why would Helio Gracie get inducted??? The only reason i could think NOT to let Helio in, is because he was never directly related to the UFC. Why would you not put the founder of BJJ in?" Uh.. did you not just answer your own question? Why would the ufc induct a guy that had no relationship whatsoever with ufc into the ufc hall of fame? By your logic I guess we should track down the creators of wrestling, boxing, judo, muay thai, and several other disciplines and induct them too. Bottom line.. if you have no direct relation to ufc then you do not belong in the ufc hall of fame. Everyone suggesting Evan Tanner.. fucking stop. Can someone please explain to me anything that Tanner has done to deserve hall of fame recognition that doesn't involve him dieing in a desert?? What did he do win a title and never defend it? Throw Matt Serra in the hof too then. Tanner was a great guy, but suggesting him for hof is ludicrous.
Fri, 05/08/09 - 06:34
Tanner's most impressive wins are against Robbie Lawler and Phil Baroni, good fighters but not exactly top of the food chain. He's lost to Tito, Franklin x2, David L., Okami, and Kendall Grove. He won the title from David Terrell, then immediatley lost it and went 1-4 over the next 3 years. There's no shame in his accomplishments or his failures he was surely a solid fighter, but hall of fame worthy he was not. Why should his death change that?
Fri, 05/08/09 - 06:38
After a little more research I just found that the middlewieght title was actually vacant when he won it, so in reality the man has never fought and defeated a ufc champion, and never succesfully defended a ufc title. How does that land you in the hof?
Fri, 05/08/09 - 06:57
"hughes is 9-3 in title fights! lose bj penn lose gsp 2 TIMES" This isn't true, GSP lost the title to Matt Serra. Their last fight was not a title fight.
Fri, 05/08/09 - 07:05
Are you sitting in a chair wearing a monacle and stroking a white cat and dreaming of sharks with frickin lazer beams attached to their heads?
Fri, 05/08/09 - 08:26
"yeah lets give all dead people Hall of Fame who have died yeah!" Really? give Justin Eilers hall of fame while your at it. I agree with everybody Mask didn't really do all that much, we just feel sorry for him cause he died (we shouldn't), just like we feel bad for Evan Tanner. Don Frye, Chuck Liddelll, Matt Hughes. Enough said..........
Fri, 05/08/09 - 04:17
@ Rault, This guy helped make mma what it is today, he'll do more in your life then you'll ever do in your entire life.
Sun, 05/31/09 - 04:47
1st off, the UFC has EVERYTHING to do with Helio.... remember Denver? yea, little place that held the 1st UFC event ever in order to honor Helio Gracie & showcase his fighting style to the world? You know... BACK in the DAY when the UFC was created, structured, owned, ran, operated & dominated by the GRACIE family!!! Yea Helio should be a lock. Chuck should NOT be inducted until he's 100% retired. And now my list of cats that deserve entry WAY before Mask does... Don Frye - Bas Rutten - Big Jon - Matt Hughes - Pete Williams - Maurice Smith - Pat Millatich - *Gerard Gordeau - *Teila Tuli - Frank Shamrock - Dan Henderson * = involved in the 1st EVER UFC match. No offense, but FUCK Mask & all his ugly ass shirts & lame-ass over-the-top antics. Tap Out gear is for retards. You can find Tap Out shirts hanging in alot of white trash closets, right next to some skid's Undertaker shirt & Grave Digger varsity leather jacket. Sorry, helping upcoming fighters is cool, dressing like a clown on crack is NOT
Sun, 05/31/09 - 04:55
And FUCK who ever was talking shit on Matt Serra... Serra is sick & now has wins over 3 future Hall of Famer's... 1. GSP 2. BJ Penn (you know he won) 3. Matt Hughes (you REALLY know he won this one) & Once again, sorry if I offended any Mask-heads, just think the guy was fucking lame. Y'know MOST people with IQ's over 74 thought he was fucking lame too
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