One-time UFC title challenger Sara McMann to be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

One-time UFC title challenger Sara McMann can add another accolade to her resume after she was announced as an inductee to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

McMann is one of only four women to be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame following her achievements in the sport. The class of 2022 is also the first time in history that two women are being inducted with McMann and Clarissa Chun both joining the Hall of Fame.

In college, McMann joined the University of Minnesota Morris, which touted the first ever varsity program for women. She eventually transferred to Lock Haven University, where McMann competed as part of the men’s varsity team. After college, she continued her career, joining the first-ever women’s Olympic wrestling team representing the U.S.

McMann then became the first woman in U.S. wrestling history to claim a silver medal after she reached the finals at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. McMann also claimed three medals at the prestigious World Championships after winning a silver in 2003 and the capturing bronze in both 2005 and 2007.

Among her biggest wins, McMann was one of the only people to defeat legendary Japanese athlete Kaori Icho, who is considered arguably the greatest women’s wrestler of all time with four Olympic gold medals and 10 World Championships.

Following the end of her wrestling career, McMann transitioned into MMA, and she eventually made her way to the UFC. In the octagon, she fought for the bantamweight title against Ronda Rousey in 2014.

She will now join the National Wrestling Hall of Fame where she will be enshrined as one of only four fighters in UFC history to be inducted including Henry Cejudo (class of 2018), Kevin Jackson (class of 2003) and Mark Schultz (class of 1995).