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Rashad Evans to be inducted into UFC Hall of Fame

Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC / UFC / Getty

Rashad Evans will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame on July 5, the organization announced Saturday.

The 39-year-old will join Forrest Griffin, BJ Penn, Urijah Faber, Ronda Rousey, and Michael Bisping as a member of the "Modern Wing."

"Rashad and I have been close since Season 2 of 'The Ultimate Fighter' and we've had an amazing relationship," UFC President Dana White said in a statement.

"It has been fun to see him succeed and grow as a fighter, become a world champion and then a respected coach for up-and-coming fighters, and then to see him retire last year."

Evans went 19-8-1 over his 14-year professional mixed martial arts career. He was the winner of the heavyweight tournament during the second season of "The Ultimate Fighter" and thus earned himself a contract with the UFC.

The Niagara Falls, N.Y., native dropped down to light heavyweight shortly thereafter and experienced his most success in that weight class. He defeated Forrest Griffin by TKO at UFC 92 in December 2008 for the light heavyweight championship.

Evans walked away from the sport nearly a decade later following a knockout loss to Anthony Smith at UFC 225, which marked his fifth straight defeat. He ranks second in modern light heavyweight history with 50 takedowns and is tied for third in wins (13) and KO/TKO victories (6) among fighters in the weight class.

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