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Craig Piligian is the most recent inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame, where he will join the contributor wing. However, unlike the majority of the figures honored in such a manner by the promotion, Piligian is not a fighter. In fact, he's not even a coach or company executive.
However, he still played a pivotal role in the UFC's success. While the promotion is currently the face of mixed martial arts, the sport wasn't always a welcome sight in the mainstream media world. Moreover, the UFC itself was struggling to stay afloat.
However, the promotion's fortunes took a positive turn, and Piligian was fundamental to why that is. So, who exactly is Piligian and what were his contributions to the UFC?
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Who is Craig Piligian?
While Craig Piligian might not have a big public profile, he is one of the minds behind several compelling television shows over the years. Among them is 'The Ultimate Fighter' ('TUF'), a hybrid of a reality TV show and MMA tournament that he co-founded with Dana White and former UFC executive Lorenzo Fertitta.
The first season was responsible for the legendary light heavyweight clash between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar, which is often credited for saving the promotion from potential financial ruin. Both fighters went on to have tremendous achievements in the sport.
Griffin became the UFC light heavyweight champion in one of the most compelling underdog stories in the sport, while Bonnar faced numerous legends. It is likely that without Piligian's part in the 'TUF' saga, the UFC and MMA as a whole would be a very different sport compared to what it is today.
So, while he is an understated inductee in the UFC Hall of Fame, he is among the most important and was rightly honored during the UFC 311 broadcast.
What else has Craig Piligian been responsible for?
Besides 'TUF', for which he has even made a cameo, Craig Piligian is also responsible for helping create popular TV shows like 'American Chopper' and 'Dirty Jobs'. He also served as a co-executive producer for 'Survivor', which has run for 47 seasons.
His exploits as a creative mind behind some of the world's most renowned television shows cannot be understated. While he has since steered clear of combat sports following his work with 'TUF', his impact remains eternal.
