Two legendary figures in the world of mixed martial arts are set to be immortalized in the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Former middleweight champion Chris Weidman and longtime combat sports writer Thomas Gerbasi will both receive the sport's highest honor, as announced during Saturday night's UFC 328 broadcast.

Weidman, a two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler, officially secured his spot in the fighter wing after a career that spanned from his UFC debut in March 2011 to his final bout in December 2024. The defining moment of his career came at UFC 162 in July 2013, when he delivered a stunning knockout of Anderson Silva to claim the 185-pound title, ending Silva's nearly seven-year reign in jaw-dropping fashion. Weidman went on to defend his belt three times, including an immediate rematch with Silva, as well as victories over Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort before losing the title to Luke Rockhold in December 2015. Despite facing a series of injuries and losing eight of his final UFC fights, "The All-American's" legacy as a champion who toppled one of the greatest fighters of all time remains unshakable.

Gerbasi, who passed away on September 16, 2025, at the age of 57, will be inducted into the contributor wing posthumously. A longtime editorial director for UFC.com, Gerbasi also lent his expertise to The Ring Magazine and BoxingScene, covering combat sports with a depth that earned him respect across the industry. His induction honors a career dedicated to chronicling the stories of fighters and the evolution of the sport.