UFC Hall of Fame 2026: Date, Time, Venue, Full Induction Class and Everything to Know
The UFC Hall of Fame is where careers are permanently measured. UFC Hall of Fame 2026 ceremony takes place on Thursday, July 9, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It forms the centerpiece of the 14th Annual UFC International Fight Week, and 2026 brings one of the most complete induction classes in recent memory. You can find full details on the official UFC Hall of Fame page.
Six honorees will be inducted across multiple wings. Demetrious Johnson, Dominick Cruz and Chris Weidman all enter the Modern Wing as former champions. Thomas Gerbasi receives the Contributor Wing honor for over two decades of editorial work. Zhang vs Joanna at UFC 248 completes the class in the Fight Wing.
UFC Hall of Fame 2026 At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | UFC Hall of Fame 2026 |
| Date | Thursday, July 2, 2026 |
| Start Time | 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT |
| Venue | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Event Week | UFC International Fight Week 2026 |
| Where to Watch | UFC Fight Pass (Live Stream) |
| Modern Wing | Chris Weidman |
| Fight Wing | Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk — UFC 248 |
| Contributor Wing | Thomas Gerbasi |
When Is the UFC Hall of Fame 2026?
If you have been following UFC International Fight Week for a few years, you already know the Hall of Fame ceremony is one of the most anticipated nights of the week. It sits right before the big Saturday pay-per-view, giving fans a chance to slow down and appreciate what the sport has built before the action heats up again.
Official Date and Start Time
The UFC Hall of Fame 2026 ceremony is confirmed for Thursday, July 2, 2026. The official ceremony is expected to start at 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM PT), following the conclusion of the UFC X fan experience held earlier that evening. That timing is consistent with previous years, so fans tuning in from the East Coast should be prepared for a late night.
Keep an eye on the UFC’s official social media accounts in the days leading up to the event. Minor schedule adjustments are not unusual, especially when the week fills up with fighter appearances and media obligations.
How to Watch the UFC Hall of Fame 2026 Live
Fans can stream the ceremony live on UFC Fight Pass, which has traditionally carried the full event for subscribers worldwide. If you do not have Fight Pass, the UFC typically shares select highlights, speeches, and red carpet moments through its YouTube channel and Instagram. The full ceremony including every induction speech remains exclusive to Fight Pass.
Where Is the UFC Hall of Fame 2026 Being Held?
Las Vegas is as much a part of the Hall of Fame experience as the fighters themselves. The city has hosted some of the biggest moments in MMA history, and it continues to serve as the natural home for International Fight Week every summer.
T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada
The UFC Hall of Fame 2026 ceremony takes place at T Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip. Since opening in 2016, the arena has become one of the UFC’s favourite venues — hosting massive title fights and serving as the backdrop for several Hall of Fame ceremonies. Its central location makes it easy for fans, media, and fighters to attend without logistical headaches.
Unlike fight nights that fill every seat, Hall of Fame ceremonies are typically more intimate. The production quality and stage setup create a genuinely emotional atmosphere that regular fight nights rarely replicate. Attendees consistently describe it as one of the most memorable experiences in the UFC calendar.
UFC Hall of Fame 2026 Full Induction Class
Every induction class tells a slightly different story about where the UFC has been and where it is going. The UFC Hall of Fame 2026 class honors a former middleweight champion whose title victory shocked the world, one of the most technically brilliant title fights women’s MMA has ever produced, and a journalist whose words documented the sport’s rise for more than two decades.
Modern Wing: Chris Weidman
When Chris Weidman walked into the Octagon at UFC 162 to face Anderson Silva, very few people gave him a realistic chance. Silva had defended the middleweight title ten consecutive times and was widely regarded as the greatest fighter on the planet. What happened next changed the division and the sport overnight. You can see where this run ranks among the division’s best in our Top 10 UFC Middleweight Fighters of All Time.
Weidman stopped Silva in the second round, cleanly, convincingly, without controversy. Then he did it again in the rematch. He added title defenses against Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort before injuries derailed what had been one of the most promising championship runs in UFC history.
The Hall of Fame does not always reward longevity. Sometimes it rewards impact. Few moments in modern UFC history impacted the middleweight landscape the way Weidman’s championship run did. His induction into the Modern Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame 2026 is both long overdue and entirely deserved.
Fight Wing: Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk (UFC 248)
There are fights you watch and forget within a month. And then there are fights like Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 248. More than six years later, people still bring it up whenever conversations turn to the best fights in UFC history, not just women’s MMA, but all of MMA.
Five rounds of relentless striking, elite footwork, and two world-class champions refusing to give an inch. By the final bell, both fighters had produced something extraordinary. The unanimous decision in Zhang’s favor felt almost secondary to what had just taken place over 25 minutes.
Its Fight Wing selection for the UFC Hall of Fame 2026 acknowledges what fans already knew, this was not just a great women’s fight. It was a great fight, full stop.
Contributor Wing: Thomas Gerbasi
Not every Hall of Fame inductee competed inside the Octagon, and Thomas Gerbasi is proof that the people working behind the scenes matter just as much as the fighters themselves. As the UFC’s longtime editorial director, Gerbasi spent over two decades writing the official history of the promotion, documenting championship reigns, breakthrough moments, and the personalities that made the UFC what it is.
His work introduced millions of fans to fighters and rivalries they might never have discovered otherwise. His Contributor Wing induction recognizes that storytelling is not a footnote to the sport’s history, it is part of the history itself.
What Is the UFC Hall of Fame? Wings and Categories Explained
The UFC introduced its Hall of Fame in 2003 to honor the promotion’s early stars. It has expanded significantly since then, adding the Fight Wing, Contributor Wing, and Pioneer Wing to cover the full range of what it means to make a lasting impact on the sport, a full history of which is documented on Wikipedia’s UFC Hall of Fame page.
| Wing | Who Qualifies | Key Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Modern Wing | Fighters who turned pro after November 2000 | Championships, title defenses, division impact |
| Pioneer Wing | Fighters who competed before the Unified Rules era | Helped build the sport in its formative years |
| Fight Wing | Individual bouts, not fighters | Historical significance, drama, technical quality |
| Contributor Wing | Executives, journalists, producers, matchmakers | Long-term service and impact on UFC growth |
| Forrest Griffin Award | Fighters with exceptional community work | Charity, mentorship, positive impact off camera |
How the UFC Selects Inductees
Selection criteria vary by wing. For the Modern and Pioneer Wings, UFC officials weigh competitive achievements, championship success, and lasting historical significance. The Fight Wing uniquely factors in fan votes and media ballots, giving the MMA community a direct say in which bouts get permanently recognized.
Eligibility also has specific rules. Modern Wing candidates must be retired or at least 35 years old and inactive for a set period. Pioneer Wing candidates must have turned professional before November 2000. These requirements ensure the Hall of Fame recognizes completed legacies rather than ongoing careers.
Biggest Storylines From the UFC Hall of Fame 2026
Every induction class generates debate, who got in, who was overlooked, and who might be next. A few storylines stand out heading into this year’s ceremony.
Why Weidman’s Induction Makes Sense
Some fans have questioned whether Weidman’s post-Silva career arc justifies Hall of Fame recognition. After his four title defenses, injuries and difficult losses made the following years challenging. But the Hall of Fame has never been a measure of sustained perfection; it recognizes impact. Ending the longest title reign in UFC history, at a time when Silva seemed genuinely untouchable, is precisely the kind of moment the Hall of Fame was created to honor.
Fighters Who Are Still Waiting
Every new class also raises questions about the names still absent. Former champions and legends including Frank Shamrock, Vitor Belfort, Demetrious Johnson, and BJ Penn are frequently mentioned whenever Hall of Fame discussions begin. Each built an outstanding record and played a meaningful role in the sport’s growth, yet they continue to wait. Their absence remains one of the most debated topics in MMA fan circles and likely will be again after the 2026 ceremony.
Women’s MMA Continues to Earn Its Place in History
The Fight Wing selection of Zhang vs. Joanna is not simply about celebrating one great fight. It is a statement about how far women’s mixed martial arts has come since Ronda Rousey joined the UFC in 2012. Today, women’s title fights regularly headline pay-per-views and produce some of the most memorable performances in the organization’s history, including bouts like the one covered in our UFC 316 full match card and predictions. Recognizing that bout in the Hall of Fame tells a new generation of fans exactly where to look if they want to understand what women’s MMA is capable of at its absolute best.
UFC Hall of Fame 2026 Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When is the UFC Hall of Fame 2026 ceremony?
The UFC Hall of Fame 2026 ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, July 2, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The ceremony begins at 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT following the UFC X fan experience activities.
Q2: Who is in the UFC Hall of Fame 2026 induction class?
The confirmed inductees are Chris Weidman (Modern Wing), the Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk strawweight title fight from UFC 248 (Fight Wing), and Thomas Gerbasi (Contributor Wing).
Q3: Where can I watch the UFC Hall of Fame 2026 live?
The full ceremony streams live on UFC Fight Pass. Highlights and red carpet moments are also shared through the UFC’s official YouTube channel and social media platforms after the event.
Q4: What are the different UFC Hall of Fame wings?
The Hall of Fame has five categories: the Modern Wing (post-Unified Rules fighters), the Pioneer Wing (pre-Unified Rules fighters), the Fight Wing (legendary bouts), the Contributor Wing (non-fighters who helped build the UFC), and the Forrest Griffin Community Award (fighters with exceptional contributions outside competition).
Q5: How does the UFC select Hall of Fame inductees?
Selection varies by wing. UFC officials evaluate competitive achievements and historical impact for most categories. The Fight Wing also incorporates fan votes and media ballots. All inductees are announced during UFC International Fight Week each summer.
Q6: Why was Zhang vs. Joanna selected for the Fight Wing?
Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 248 earned Fight Wing recognition because it is broadly considered one of the most technically brilliant and dramatic championship fights in UFC history across all weight classes. The five round strawweight title fight raised the profile of women’s MMA and continues to serve as a benchmark for excellence inside the Octagon.
Final Thoughts on UFC Hall of Fame 2026
The UFC Hall of Fame 2026 ceremony on July 2 at T Mobile Arena is more than an awards night. It is a chance to step back from the weekly cycle of fights and rankings and appreciate what the sport is built on, the fighters who took risks, the moments that made us feel something unexpected, and the people working behind the scenes to make sure those stories were told properly.
Chris Weidman, Zhang Weili and Joanna Jędrzejczyk, and Thomas Gerbasi represent very different parts of that story. Together, they make the UFC Hall of Fame 2026 one of the most well rounded induction classes in years. If you can catch the ceremony live on Fight Pass, it is absolutely worth your time.
