First-ever UFC lightweight champion reveals how a Twitch stream "saved" his life

First-ever UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver recently revealed that a Twitch stream helped him save his life.

During his appearance on MMA Today with Din Thomas and Anthony Smith, Pulver opened up about his MMA career and credited a Twitch stream for saving his life. He mentioned that he reached a point where he didn't want to be involved in MMA anymore, but a friend of his recommended that he begin streaming.

He said:

"One day when I got to sit there and the first thing I did - I auditioned for it - and it was my friend Shawn...he's like, 'You gotta start streaming, you like playing video games and stuff like that, you like PCs. Start streaming.' I was like, 'Alright, I'll give this a whirl.'"

'Lil Evil' also brought up that the streaming eventually led to him loving the sport again and feeling like a void is being filled. He mentioned that he agreed to watch somebody's fight and before he knew it, the UFC asked if he'd be interested in streaming for the promotion, saying:

"I started now all of a sudden here I am analyzing fights. I'm having an opinion, I'm commentating on fights on Saturdays on the stream. I'm knee-deep in the UFC, I'm embedded zin fighting again and I'm okay because people came in and gave me their time. So I tell people all the time, this UFC Twitch stream literally saved my life."

Pulver's story on the Twitch stream saving his life is another remarkable story and proof for fighters that they could still find fulfillment and be involved in the sport long after they retire from active competition.

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Jens Pulver announced as latest inductee into 2023 UFC Hall of Fame

Jens Pulver is one of the pioneers for the smaller weight-divisions in MMA. For years, many fans took to Twitter to question why he hadn't been inducted into the Hall of Fame for his accomplishments.

That all changed this past Saturday as the promotion announced that Pulver will be inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame. He was clearly caught by surprise as he was emotional when finding out he would finally receive the honor and be recognized for his achievements in the sport during International Fight Week this July.

In 2001, 'Lil Evil' made history by winning the inaugural UFC lightweight championship after defeating Caol Uno via unanimous decision. He went on to make two successful title defenses, which included a win over B.J. Penn before leaving the promotion.

Despite his career not being the same when he returned to the promotion in 2006, he is still very much deserving of a long overdue Hall of Fame induction.