Why Is UFC’s Biggest PPV Star Conor McGregor Not in the Hall of Fame Yet? What Are the Criteria for Entering the Hall of Fame?

UFC superstar Conor McGregor possibly cemented himself a place in the Hall of Fame at the promotion’s first MSG event. At UFC 205, ‘The Notorious’ defeated Eddie Alvarez to become the first-ever simultaneous two-division UFC champion.

However, according to the Hall of Fame criteria, the Irishman is not eligible for the honor. Meanwhile, his rival Khabib Nurmagomedov received it during the 10th International Fight Week at UFC 276. So, why did ‘The Eagle’ land the honor, but the former UFC dual champion is not eligible?

The premier MMA organization has divided its Hall of Fame honor into several categories: Modern Era Wing, Pioneer Wing, Fight Wing, and Contributors Wing.

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All these have separate criteria to get an induction from the UFC. But what wings could ‘The Notorious‘ become a Hall of Famer? Let’s monitor the criteria to find out.

What are the criteria to become a UFC Hall of Famer?

Per UFC, for Pioneer Wing, the individual who debuted before Nov 17, 2000, is considered, hence ‘The Notorious’, who made his debut almost a decade later is not eligible.

For Contributors Wing, the entity or entities outside the Octagon are given the green flag. Although perhaps the Irishman’s contribution to expanding the sport to a vastly different audience could be attributed to making him eligible for this wing, it would be the Fight Wing and Modern Era Wing, ‘The Notorious’ would like to see his name in.

Criteria for Fight Wing:

• Five years gap between induction and the actual fight occurrence
• The fight should be of historical significance and have captured the imagination

Criteria for Modern Wing:

• Fighters who debut after Nov 17, 2000
• UFC accomplishments with certain exception
• Minimum age 35 or one year after retirement

What Conor McGregor fight could go into the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing?

Since Conor McGregor’s fights were always capturing the world’s imagination and were mostly of historical significance because of record-breaking numbers for attendance, gate, and PPV sales. Thus, most of Conor McGregor’s fights that took place before 2017 fit the said criteria to go into the Fight Wing Hall of Fame.

Even though the UFC has put mostly the competitive bouts that were brawls or back-and-forth contests in the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing, the criteria don’t say the bout needs to be competitive.

So considering this, these are a few fights that could go into the UFC Hall of Fame:

• Chad Mendes vs. Conor McGregor (UFC 189, July 11, 2015)
• Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor II (UFC 202, August 20, 2016)
• Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz (UFC 196, March 5, 2016)
• Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor (UFC 229, October 6, 2018) (yet to complete five years)

Why is Conor McGregor not a part of the UFC Hall of Fame Modern Wing?

The Modern Wing fighter criteria suggest a fighter under the age of 35 will not be considered for the honor. And Conor McGregor is 33-year-old, hence he is not in the UFC Hall of Fame.

Even though on a light note, he could be eligible considering he announced his retirement from the sport a few times, which has been well over the one-year mark.

Besides, retirement is not the be-all-end-all as active fighters are eligible but not preferable for the honor. But if anybody could ever cut a line to get into the UFC Hall of Fame while being active, it is not a far stretch to think it could be Conor McGregor once he turns 35.

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Will Conor McGregor get inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame when he turns 35? Does the biggest bout in UFC history, UFC 229 main event deserve a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing next year? Share your perspective in the comments section.