Jeff Blatnick and Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg 2 to be inducted into UFC Hall of Fame

Frank Trigg with the hosts of MMAjunkie Radio

The UFC has announced two new inductees to the UFC Hall of Fame. Jeff Blatnick and the second fight between Matt Hughes and Frank Trigg will be inducted to the newly revamped Hall of Fame on July 11.

The promotion announced the news via a press release Wednesday night.

Blatnick won gold in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1984 Olympics, an incredible feat accomplished just two years after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. From UFC 4 until UFC 32, Blatnick served as a commentator for the MMA promotion, becoming a recognizable, respected and knowledgeable voice for a growing sport.

Blatnick would be instrumental in the establishment of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts during this time and served to educate lawmakers on the sport. He is also the man credited by many as having created the name “Mixed Martial Arts” to replace the previously common “No Holds Barred” tag.

On October 24, 2012, Blatnick died due to complications related to heart surgery.

He is a distinguished member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and will now hold a place in the “Contributor Wing” of the UFC Hall of Fame.

The rematch between Hughes and Trigg took place at UFC 52 on April 16, 2005, less than two years after Hughes submitted Trigg with a Round 1 rear-naked choke at UFC 45.

The fight build-up saw a torrent of trash talk from Trigg and fight night was a whirlwind of action before Trigg once again fell to a Round 1 rear-naked choke.

“I’ve said it a million times over the last 10 years, Hughes vs Trigg II is one of my favorite fights ever,” UFC President Dana White said in the press release. I”n four minutes five seconds, it showed everything that is great about the UFC.”

The fight will be placed in the “Fight Wing” of the Hall of Fame.

The inductions will take place at a gala event during “International Fight Week” ahead of UFC 189.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.