The UFC announced Saturday that Penn will take his place in the "Modern Era" of the Hall of Fame, which "recognizes great fighters who turned professional on or after November 17, 2000."
[EMBED on 'UFC announced': http://www.ufc.com/news/BJ-Penn-Joins-the-UFC-Hall-of-Fame-in-July]
"It is an honor to induct BJ Penn into the Hall of Fame. He was one of those stars who helped build the UFC," UFC president Dana White said.
"When we bought this company, we were told no one cared about lightweights. BJ Penn not only made people care, he was one of the biggest draws in UFC history," he added.
"What he accomplished inside the Octagon speaks for itself – he is one of only two people to win two UFC titles in two different divisions, and he beat a who's who of his era. He is a legend, and a no-brainer for the UFC Hall of Fame."
Penn was a UFC lightweight champion and welterweight champion, and was considered as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of his era.
Also to be inducted in the Hall of Fame are: Bas Rutten for the Pioneer Era; Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg II for Fight; and Jeff Blatnick as a Contributor.
They will be honored in the 2015 Induction Ceremony which will take place on July 11, as part of the UFC Fan Expo in Las Vegas.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
