[Iceman1967]

“I’m excited about the possibility of returning to the Ultimate Fighting Championships ? I do prefer the cage.”

First-ever UFC Heavyweight Champion and PRIDE FC Grand Prix Champion, Mark Coleman (15-8), uttered those words in a recent article from The News-Messenger regarding the recent sale of the largest mixed martial arts promotion in Japan to the Fertitta brothers.

At 43, the former NCAA collegiate wrestling champion and 1992 U.S. Olympian, is perhaps well beyond his prime. However, as a current fighter on the PRIDE FC roster, he still has the desire to compete once again under the UFC banner.

It seems like a stretch, considering UFC President Dana White has said he expects to put on the biggest fights in MMA history if and when the two promotions lock horns.

Put simply, Coleman doesn't fit the profile of a superstar who would be included in those types of events.

'The Hammer,' in fact, is probably best known for the wrong reasons here in the states. His brutal knockout loss to Pete Williams at UFC 17 is a classic, making Rashad Evans' recent wipeout of Sean Salmon look like child's play.

And who can forget his celebration after winning the PRIDE FC 2000 Grand Prix, which saw him bust his ass attempting to leap on the top rope. Or, the post-fight drama, ripped right from a bad Hollywood ****** — after losing to Fedor Emelianenko via armbar at PRIDE 32.

[thedave]

"Which saw him bust his ass attempting to leap on the top rope." LOL

[LHKToTheFace]

coleman vs randy has always been a match ive wanted to see...even if they have similar styles...it would be sweet

[questforfire]

Coleman vs. Couture would be an interesting matchup


If Couture loses the belt to Cro Cop make it happen!

[notimetowait]

I think he can still fight so give him one....rematch with Shogun would be interesting I know Shogun wants it..or someone in the UFC?big Tim or Randy would be interesting as well..

[BayouBoy]

Couture>Coleman

[Mino]

I bet he is: LnP ftw!

[StinkyMoe]

Interesting. Is there more to the article? If you have a link I would like to read it.

And I don't think we will see Coleman in the UFC again. It will take some time before the particulars of the cross-over fights are worked out. And when they are, I would expect there to be a long line of fighters in front of him.

It's a shame too, back in the olden days when he first showed up in the UFC he was an absolute monster. I can remember him just tearing up the place. Everybody has seen the Pete Williams KO over Coleman, but not many people realize how much of a complete shocker that was. Probably the biggest upset in the UFC until that time. Coleman had just come off a grueling decision loss to Smith (his first in the UFC) and everybody expected him to come out like a steam-roller and crush Williams.

Oh well... good luck to him wherever he ends up. He probably should have left his shoes on the mat a long time ago, but he will always be remembered as one of the pioneers.

[BigPapaSmurf]

It seems like a stretch, considering UFC President Dana White has said he expects to put on the biggest fights in MMA history if and when the two promotions lock horns.

Put simply, Coleman doesn't fit the profile of a superstar who would be included in those types of events.


that's stupid not every fight is going to have to be a super fight. i bet dana white would love to have mark coleman back in the ufc. dana will probably sign him as a ufc fighter not pride.

[Xuh]

who wrote that shitty article?