Alright, fight fans, listen up! The UFC is officially rolling out the red carpet for its 2026 Hall of Fame class on Thursday, July 9th, and leading the charge is none other than our undisputed king, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. This isn’t just another induction, folks; this is the recognition of pure, unadulterated greatness. “Mighty Mouse” has always been a top-tier contender for the Mount Rushmore of MMA, and this HOF spot just makes that case absolutely undeniable. It all goes down in Las Vegas, right before Conor McGregor’s big return at UFC 329.
Mighty Mouse: Best Flyweight of All Time, No Debate
Let’s be real, few fighters ever deserved a Hall of Fame spot more than Johnson. He’s not just considered the best flyweight of all time; he *is* the best. The man clocked the most consecutive UFC title defenses in history, an insane 11 straight! That kind of sustained dominance? Unheard of. His run gave us unforgettable moments, too. Remember that legendary throw against Ray Borg, launching him and then catching him with an armbar? Pure magic, one of the most iconic highlights ever. Or setting the record for the latest UFC finish, getting that win against Horiguchi with just *one second* left in their five-round war? That’s the kind of clutch performance that screams legend.
Stacked Class: Cruz and Weidman Join the Modern Wing
But “Mighty Mouse” isn’t flying solo into history. Two other champions are getting their due in the modern wing. First, former bantamweight kingpin Dominick Cruz, who held the WEC title before it merged with UFC. He defeated Joseph Benavidez multiple times and even outclassed Johnson back in 2011. Injuries definitely derailed him, but Johnson’s own weight class was largely formed because of Cruz’s success. Then there’s Chris Weidman, the former middleweight champ. He pulled off one of the biggest upsets ever, knocking out the “unstoppable” Anderson Silva in 2013 for that 185-pound title. He won the rematch too, after Silva broke his leg. Weidman defended his belt twice against Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort, cementing himself as one of his era’s absolute best. Plus, two-division champ Alex Pereira is getting the Forrest Griffin Community Award, and longtime UFC writer Thomas Gerbasi enters the contributor wing posthumously. What a class!
So, mark your calendars for Thursday, July 9th! This HOF class is stacked, celebrating some absolute legends. And get ready, because this whole thing kicks off a massive fight week, with Conor McGregor back in action at UFC 329. You can catch all the action, including UFC 329 live, plus every numbered UFC event and Fight Night, on Paramount+. Plans start at $8.99 a month, or $89.99 a year. Plus, hit up the CBS Sports App for their UFC Pick’em game; picks close this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. Don’t miss it!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.
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