Jens Johnnie Pulver (born December 6, 1975) is an American professional
mixed martial artist and undefeated
boxer and
kickboxer. Pulver was the inaugural
UFC Lightweight Champion in addition to serving as the headcoach on the
The Ultimate Fighter 5 reality show against long-time rival
B.J. Penn. In mixed martial arts, Pulver competed at the
Lightweight,
Featherweight,
Bantamweight and
Flyweight divisions in addition to competing at the
Middleweight,
Light Middleweight, and
Welterweight divisions as a professional boxer. While perhaps best known for competing in the
UFC, Pulver has also competed in
Pride Fighting Championships, for the
PRIDE 2005 Lightweight Grand Prix. He is to-date the youngest
UFC Lightweight Champion in the UFC history, eventually relinquishing his title, after two defenses, due to a contract dispute. Pulver officially retired from combat sports in 2014. Pulver is considered the founder of the UFC lightweight division.