.png)
In a heartwarming moment during the UFC 297 broadcast, the octagon legend Frankie Edgar was announced as the inaugural inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame's 2024 class. The emotional announcement took place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, where Edgar, 42, joined the esteemed Modern Wing alongside iconic figures like Jose Aldo, B.J. Penn, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Georges St-Pierre, and Ronda Rousey.
A three-division threat in his prime, Edgar etched his name in UFC history by claiming the lightweight title at UFC 112 in April 2010, causing a controversial upset against B.J. Penn. The New Jersey native successfully defended the title three times before making a remarkable move to the featherweight division, where he challenged for the gold twice. Edgar concluded his illustrious career as a bantamweight contender.
Edgar's legacy is further enriched by his unforgettable trilogy of fights with Gray Maynard, with their second encounter considered one of the greatest bouts in MMA history. This epic clash is a strong contender for future induction into the UFC Hall of Fame's Fight Wing. Known for his thrilling and dynamic style, Edgar accumulated an impressive eight Fight of the Night bonuses during his 15-year UFC career, a feat surpassed only by Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz.
The proud New Jersey native hung up his gloves in November 2022 after a memorable career that saw him amass a professional record of 24-11-1. Despite a knockout loss to Chris Gutierrez in his final bout, Edgar's impact on the sport and his consistent ability to deliver exhilarating performances have solidified his place in the UFC Hall of Fame.
As the first inductee for 2024, Frankie Edgar's legacy will forever shine in the hallowed halls of the UFC Hall of Fame.