One of the most important behind-the-scenes players in the growth of MMA both in the United States and across the globe has been named to the 2020 class of the UFC Hall of Fame.
UFC vice president of regulatory affairs Marc Ratner was announced as a new inductee during Saturday night’s UFC 255 in Las Vegas.
An Arizona native, Ratner was a key figure in the Nevada Athletic Commission, widely regarded as the most influential commission in the country during a golden age of boxing in the “Silver State.”
He joined the commission in 1985, became NAC executive director in 1992 and gained international attention in handling Mike Tyson’s infamous ear-biting incident in a 1997 bout with Evander Holyfield.
Nevada became the second major commission state, after New Jersey, under Ratner’s watch. His hiring by the UFC in 2006 was a major piece in the puzzle in getting the sport legalized from coast to coast. Ratner used his connections made during two decades in his high-profile NAC job to open doors, a process that was finalized in 2016 when the last holdout, New York, greenlit the sport.
“Marc Ratner is one of the most significant figures responsible for the continued growth and popularity of combat sports,” former UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta stated. “As one of the most influential and respected regulators in combat sports, Marc’s contributions to boxing and mixed martials arts over the past three decades are immeasurable, and his impact will continue to shape the landscape for years to come. He is a friend of great character and integrity, and he will be a great addition to the UFC Hall of Fame.”
Ratner is also a former NCAA Division-I college football official and continues to officiate high school sports in Nevada. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the UFC plans to induct the 2020 Hall of Fame class along with the 2021 class sometime next year.