Conor McGregor reacts to ‘all-time legend’ Jens Pulver bursting into tears after learning he will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame

Conor McGregor has branded Jens Pulver an ‘absolute legend’ after it was announced he is set to join the UFC Hall of Fame later this year.

The first-ever lightweight champion runs the UFC’s official Twitch channel, where he streams live with fans three times per week and hosts ‘Watch Alongs’ for every event.

UFC

On Sunday, he was streaming as normal during UFC 284 when the action stopped so MMA’s premier promotion could announce the latest person to join their Hall of Fame.

Pulver watched intently before shouting ‘Shut the f*** up’ and bursting into tears when he realised it was him who is set to receive the greatest honour possible for a UFC fighter.

The 48-year-old was hugged and congratulated by those around him as he sat shocked by the news he couldn’t believe was real. But it is and he will become a UFC Hall of Famer this summer.

Pulver will enter the UFC Hall of Fame as the 18^th member of the Pioneer Era Wing which includes former fighters who turned professional before November 17, 2000, when the unified rules of mixed martial arts were adopted.

UFC president Dana White said in a statement: “Jens Pulver is a pioneer of the sport who was not only the first lightweight champion in UFC history but someone who delivered some of the sport’s most memorable moments.

‘Little Evil’ enjoyed a 47-fight, 14-year career in MMA before retiring in 2013.

UFC – Twitch

“I was already past that, and it’s not a joke,” Pulver told MMA Junkie Radio.

“I knew I wasn’t getting in. I was done. That whole, ‘Where Are They Now?’ I’m like, ‘You know, I’ll do it.’ I’ll let people know where I’m at.

“It’ll help build the UFC Twitch stream. I’ll do it. I was already done with this. …

“I’m just excited. I never ever, ever expected this. I’ve got no words.”

@thenotoriousmma – instagram

Pulver walked away with a record of 27-19-1 that includes victories over UFC Hall of Famers BJ Penn and Cub Swanson, former Shooto lightweight champion Caol Uno, The Ultimate Fighter Season 2 winner Joe Stevenson, and former WEC featherweight champion Cole Escovedo

The American clearly impacted ‘Notorious’ who took to social media on Sunday to brand him ‘An absolute all-time legend’ while reposting the video of Pulver’s tearful reaction for his 45.9M Instagram followers.

McGregor congratulated Jose Aldo after it was announced he would join the UFC Hall of Fame during UFC 283 in Brazil earlier this year.

It’s now just a matter of time until the Irishman ends his epic fight career and is inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Pulver, Aldo and many other MMA icons.

First, he’s got a fight booked against lightweight contender Michael Chandler.

They’ll square off later this year after filming the latest series of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’, with the winner potentially going on to face Islam Makhachev who defended his 155lb belt at UFC 284 this past weekend.