Television Producer Bruce Connal Named to UFC Hall of Fame’s ‘Contributor Wing’
Our first inductee into the #UFCHoF - legendary UFC television producer Bruce Connal, who passed away earlier this year.
— UFC (@ufc) April 8, 2018
https://t.co/eDNjHXm2Zw pic.twitter.com/34pt6yoX1z
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Connal initially made his mark in the combat sports world with the television production company, Concom, which directed UFC events beginning with UFC 17 “Redemption” on May 15, 1998 at the Mobile Civic Center in Mobile, Ala. From 1998 to 2018, Connal oversaw the production of more than 300 televised UFC events. He died at 61 years old on March 1 after battling illness.
“Bruce was a close friend to all of us here at UFC and he was also one of the most talented television producers I’ve ever seen,” UFC President Dana White said in a release. “Bruce did an amazing job producing the most successful events in UFC history and he will be sorely missed.”
Connal’s impact on sports television production extended beyond the UFC. Shortly after graduating from Ithaca College in New York in 1979, Connal joined ESPN as one of the network’s first associate producers. There he helped lead a team that covered events such as the College World Series, Sunday Night Baseball and the NHL, among others.
“Bruce was an amazing friend, husband, father and member of the Zuffa family whose presence will be greatly missed,” UFC Executive Vice President of Operations and Production Craig Borsari said. “Bruce’s influence on our live event production over the past two decades has played a vital role in shaping how millions of fans watch UFC events. We’re honored to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2018.”
The 2018 UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on July 5 in Las Vegas as a part of International Fight Week and will stream on UFC Fight Pass. More inductees will be announced in the coming weeks.
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