Kevin Randleman named to UFC 2020 Hall of Fame class

Former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman will go into the 2020 UFC Hall of Fame, announced by the company on their Saturday broadcast.

Randleman, who died just at 44 years old from a heart attack while in the hospital for pneumonia in 2016, will be part of the Pioneer wing, joining George St-Pierre (Modern Wing), and Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson (Fight). It’s unknown if they will induct someone to the Contributor wing.

Randleman won the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 23 in November 1999 with a decision win over Pete Williams. He only fought seven times in the Octagon (4-3) before spending the majority of the rest of his career in Japan for PRIIDE and World Victory Road with two Strikeforce fights as well.

While his career record was 17-16, he fought a who’s who of big names throughout his career that included Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, Fedor Emelianenko, Mirko Cro Cop, Sakuraba, Rampage Jackson, and Shogun Rua. His first round knockout of Cro Crop at 2004’s PRIDE Total Elimination earned both knockout of the year and comeback of the year nods in year end awards.

Randleman was also an All-American and two-time NCAA Division 1 champion at Ohio State. He also dabbled in pro wrestling for All Japan, Zero-One, and Hustle.

The ceremony traditionally takes place in July during International Fight Week, but with the pandemic, it’s unclear what UFC’s plans are for that weekend in Las Vegas.