Two icons, one unforgettable moment in UFC history. On Saturday night, during the UFC 328 broadcast from Newark's Prudential Center, the promotion announced that former middleweight champion Chris Weidman and longtime editorial director Thomas Gerbasi will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame this July. It's a fitting honor for a fighter who once toppled a legend and a staffer who helped tell the sport's greatest stories.
Weidman, known as "The All-American," forever changed the landscape of the middleweight division. At UFC 162, he did the unthinkable—knocking out the seemingly invincible Anderson Silva, snapping Silva's historic 16-fight win streak in the process. That victory not only made him champion but also cemented his place in MMA history. He went on to defend the belt three times, besting the likes of Vitor Belfort and Lyoto Machida before eventually losing the title to Luke Rockhold in 2015.
Hailing from the Serra-Longo fight team in New York, Weidman entered the UFC in 2010 with just four professional fights under his belt. He quickly proved he belonged, winning his first five octagon appearances to earn a shot at Silva. After dethroning the king, Weidman defeated Silva again in their immediate rematch at UFC 168, a bout that ended tragically when Silva suffered a gruesome leg injury. Though Weidman never reclaimed championship gold after 2015, his resilience shone brightest in his later years. After breaking his leg in a fight at UFC 261, he made an inspiring comeback in 2023, competing three more times before officially retiring. Today, he brings his sharp insight to UFC broadcasts as a regular analyst.
Joining Weidman in the Hall of Fame is Thomas Gerbasi, one of the most beloved figures behind the scenes. As the UFC's editorial director for years, Gerbasi has been the voice behind countless fight stories, press releases, and historical records. A New York native, he's being inducted into the Contributor Wing—a well-deserved recognition for a man who has dedicated his career to chronicling the sport's biggest moments.
From the roar of the crowd at UFC 162 to the quiet dedication of a staffer's pen, this year's Hall of Fame class reminds us that greatness takes many forms. Whether you're stepping into the cage or telling the stories that come out of it, the UFC family is celebrating two of its own.