- Mark Coleman
-
Mark Coleman 
Born December 20, 1964
Fremont, Ohio, United StatesOther names The Hammer Nationality American Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight 205 lb (93.0 kg; 14.6 st) Division Light Heavyweight (2009 – present)
Heavyweight (1996 – 2006)Reach 75 in (191 cm) Style Freestyle Wrestling Fighting out of Columbus, Ohio Team Team Hammer House[1] Rank NCAA Division I Wrestling
Olympian Freestyle WrestlingYears active 1996 – present (MMA) Mixed martial arts record Total 26 Wins 16 By knockout 4 By submission 8 By decision 4 Losses 10 By knockout 3 By submission 5 By decision 2 University Ohio State University
Miami UniversityMixed martial arts record from Sherdog Medal record Competitor for 
United StatesMen's Freestyle wrestling Pan American Championships Gold 1990 Colorado Springs -90 kg Gold 1991 -100 kg Gold 1992 -100 kg Pan American Games Gold 1991 Havana -100 kg World Championships Silver 1991 Varna -100 kg Mark Coleman (born December 20, 1964) is an American mixed martial artist, professional wrestler, former NCAA collegiate wrestler and former Olympic amateur wrestler. In MMA, he was the UFC 10 and UFC 11 tournament champion, the first Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion, and the Pride Fighting Championships 2000 Open Weight Grand Prix champion. At UFC 82 Coleman was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. His most notable victories came against Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua, Igor Vovchanchyn, Don Frye (2x) and Dan Severn.
Coleman is credited with proving the ability of wrestlers to dominate in the developing sport of mixed martial arts, and with being one of the first in American MMA to successfully use the strategy that came to be known as ground-and-pound,[2] earning him the distinction as "The Godfather of Ground & Pound".[3]
Contents
Background
Coleman was born in Fremont, Ohio, U.S. in 1964. He began freestyle wrestling as a teenager, and wrestled for Miami University, in Ohio, where he was a two time Mid-American Conference wrestling champion. In his senior year, he transferred to Ohio State University and won an NCAA championship. Out of college, he was awarded a spot on the US Wrestling team, placing second (100 kg) at the 1991 FILA Wrestling World Championships in Varna, Bulgaria, and placing seventh overall in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
Mixed martial arts career
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Following his amateur career, Coleman made the transition to the then-new sport of mixed martial arts, winning his first two tournaments in dominating fashion, including a win over UFC 8 champion Don Frye at UFC 10 in 1996, and becoming the first UFC Heavyweight Champion after submitting UFC Superfight Champion Dan Severn via a complex submission lock known as the neck crank at UFC 12.
Coleman made his first UFC Heavyweight Championship title defense at UFC 14, facing kickboxer (and heavy underdog) Maurice Smith. In what turned out to be a long battle, Coleman lost a decision after 21:00 (regulation plus two overtimes). This was considered to be one of the largest upsets in UFC history at that time, largely because of the way Coleman had dominated his opponents in his previous fights.
Coleman took nearly a year off after having to get ACL surgery and returned at UFC 17. Coleman was originally scheduled to face Randy Couture in a title match for the UFC Heavyweight Championship, but Couture was injured during training and was forced to pull out of the fight. Coleman instead faced a relatively unknown (at that time) last minute replacement fighter, up and coming Lion's Den product Pete Williams. In what turned out to be another long and strenuous battle, Coleman appeared to be completely exhausted after 10 minutes; he was fatigued to the point of resting his hands on his knees during the fight. In what is still considered to be one of the largest upsets in UFC history, Williams took advantage of Coleman's fatigue and landed a heavy kick to the face, knocking 'The Hammer' out for the first time in his career.
After his shocking loss to Pete Williams, Coleman went to train with former UFC champion Ken Shamrock and his Lion's Den training camp for his upcoming bout with feared Brazilian striker Pedro Rizzo at UFC 18. The fight with Rizzo was part of the "Road to the Heavyweight Title", which was a four man tournament between Coleman, Rizzo, Bas Rutten and Tsuyoshi Kosaka that would crown the next UFC Heavyweight Champion. After 15:00 the fight went to the judges, and they gave a split decision win to Rizzo. This bout was a source of controversy to many, including Coleman himself, who felt that he was robbed of the decision win.[4][5][6] In a recent interview, Coleman said he still feels the effects of the controversial decision loss to Rizzo.[6]
Pride Fighting Championships
From 1999 through 2006, The Hammer continued his career with Japanese promotion, Pride Fighting Championships while also making appearances with the professional wrestling promotion HUSTLE.
At Pride 5, Coleman fought Nobuhiko Takada, HUSTLE's owner and booker. Though thought to be the much better fighter, Coleman was caught by a heel hook from Takada and submitted. The validity of this fight has been questioned by many fans.[citation needed] In response to questions about the fight's legitimacy, Coleman said, "It was what it was. I needed to support my family. They guaranteed me another fight after that and I needed that security. It was what it was. I'm going to leave it at that."[7]
Coleman won the Pride 2000 Open Weight Grand Prix tournament defeating Masaaki Satake, Akira Shoji, Kazuyuki Fujita, and Igor Vovchanchyn. The Hammer's training and 2000 tournament victory are depicted in the documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr.
After a quick TKO victory over Allan Goes at Pride 13, Coleman faced possibly his toughest challenge ever in Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at Pride 16. "Minotauro" was able to catch the Hammer in a triangle/armbar at 6:10 of the first round, breaking Coleman's six fight winning streak.
Coleman would take nearly two years off following the fight with Nogueira, spending time with his wife and children, and focusing on developing his martial arts training facility and stable of fighters at Team Hammer House. Training such fighters as Kevin Randleman, Wes Sims, Brandon Lee Hinkle and Phil Baroni, Team Hammer House quickly gained a reputation of turning out world class fighters.
Mark Coleman returned to MMA competition at Pride 26 to face Don Frye in a rematch of their meeting at UFC 10; this proved to be a much tougher battle. Coming back from a career threatening neck injury, Coleman ultimately won a unanimous decision victory after 20 minutes. Following the fight, Coleman apologised to the fans for the lack of action during the fight, in which he had spent the majority of the time in taking down and maintaining positional dominace of Frye with his superior wrestling ability.
Between training fighters and spending time with his family, the Hammer was now fighting roughly once a year. He returned to competition to take place in the Pride 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix, as the returning Grand Prix champion in the Open Weight Division. His first round match at Pride Total Elimination 2004 was against Pride heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko. In what turned out to be a short bout, Coleman was submitted by armbar at 2:11 of the first round, eliminating him from the tournament.
Coleman returned to the Pride ring in February 2005, this time facing Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović at Pride 29: Fists of Fire. Suffering the second knockout of his career, the Hammer fell to strikes by "Cro Cop" in the first round. In November 2005, Mark Coleman appeared in Bushido Europe-Rotterdam Rumble, Europe's first Bushido event, and choked out Milco Voorn at 0:56 of the first round.
The Hammer returned to action at Pride 31 with a victory over Chute Boxe team member Mauricio "Shogun" Rua after the fight was stopped when Shogun suffered a dislocated elbow during a Coleman takedown. With Team Hammer House member Phil Baroni in his corner, Coleman began the match by taking Shogun to the ground. At 0:49 of the first round, Rua got up and as he took the first step Coleman grabbed his feet. Rua fell awkwardly and broke his arm. Coleman continued to fight, peppering Rua with strikes before the referee stopped the fight but not before the Coleman threw the referee aside and began to shout at Murilo Rua, Mauricio's brother, who entered the ring following the injury. With the referee still holding the Coleman, Chute Boxe members come charging to the ring to protect their teammate. In the flash of an eye, amongst the hordes of managers, trainers, Pride officials, judges, referees and security people all in the ring trying to separate everyone, Wanderlei Silva charged into the ring and went after Coleman. Then in the next instant, Colemans training partner Phil Baroni went after Silva.
Backstage in his post-fight interview, Coleman stated that the whole melee happened in the heat of the moment and that he did not blame the Chute Boxe team for coming in and backing their fighter. He then added that similar to Chute Boxe, Hammer House is also like a family, and thanked Baroni for coming in and watching his back.[8] An outraged Chute Boxe refused to accept Coleman's backstage apology. The Chute Boxe team was assigned a yellow card for instigating this infraction.
On October 21, 2006, Mark Coleman again faced Pride heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko at Pride's first American show, Pride 32: The Real Deal,[9] and lost via submission (armbar) at 1:17 of round two.
Mark Coleman appeared with teammate, Kevin Randleman, on the US pay-per-view broadcast of the final Pride event, Pride 34: Kamikaze, stating that he intended to keep fighting.
Return to UFC (2008–2010)
At UFC 82, Mark Coleman was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, making him the 5th inductee. Coleman announced that he was not retiring and would return to the octagon to fight Brock Lesnar on August 9 in Minneapolis at UFC 87. However, Coleman injured his knee while training, and was forced to pull out of the event. Heath Herring replaced Coleman for the fight.
At UFC 109, Coleman faced fellow UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, after originally being scheduled to meet at UFC 17 in 1998 twelve years prior, in which an injury forced Couture to drop out of the fight. Coleman went on record, multiple times during the build-up for the fight, in which he claimed this was his dream bout. After being outboxed on the feet, Coleman was taken down and defeated shortly after by (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:09 in round 2. The bout marked the first time two UFC Hall of Fame inductees had fought.
Following Coleman's loss to Couture in the main event of UFC 109, his sixth loss in his last 10 fights, he was released by the promotion.[10][11]
Personal life
Coleman has two daughters.[12]
He appeared in the documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Mark Kerr alongside fellow fighter and former friend Mark Kerr.
In June 2006, it was announced that Coleman was one of the new coaches in the International Fight League, but unable to assemble a team, he was replaced by Ken Shamrock.[13]
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown 26 matches 16 wins 10 losses By knockout 4 3 By submission 8 5 By decision 4 2 Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes Loss 16–10 Randy CoutureSubmission (rear-naked choke) UFC 109 February 6, 2010 2 1:09 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Win 16–9 Stephan BonnarDecision (unanimous) UFC 100 July 11, 2009 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Loss 15–9 
Mauricio RuaTKO (punches) UFC 93 January 17, 2009 3 4:36 Dublin, Ireland Won Fight of the Night; Light Heavyweight debut. Loss 15–8 
Fedor EmelianenkoSubmission (armbar) Pride 32 October 21, 2006 2 1:15 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Win 15–7 Mauricio RuaTKO (broken arm) Pride 31 February 26, 2006 1 0:49 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Win 14–7 
Milco VoornSubmission (arm-triangle choke) Bushido Europe: Rotterdam Rumble October 9, 2005 1 0:56 Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands Loss 13–7 
Mirko FilipovićKO (punches) Pride 29 February 20, 2005 1 3:40 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Loss 13–6 Fedor EmelianenkoSubmission (armbar) Pride Total Elimination 2004 April 25, 2004 1 2:11 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Pride FC 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix Opening Round Win 13–5 Don FryeDecision (unanimous) Pride 26 June 8, 2003 3 5:00 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan Loss 12–5 Antônio Rodrigo NogueiraSubmission (triangle armbar) Pride 16 September 24, 2001 1 6:10 Osaka, Osaka, Japan Win 12–4 Allan GoesTKO (knees) Pride 13 March 25, 2001 1 1:19 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Win 11–4 
Igor VovchanchynSubmission (knees) Pride Grand Prix 2000 Finals May 1, 2000 2 3:09 Tokyo, Japan Pride FC 2000 Openweight Grand Prix final; won Pride FC 2000 Openweight Grand Prix Win 10–4 
Kazuyuki FujitaTKO (corner stoppage) Pride Grand Prix 2000 Finals May 1, 2000 1 0:02 Tokyo, Japan Pride FC 2000 Openweight Grand Prix semifinal Win 9–4 Akira ShojiDecision (unanimous) Pride Grand Prix 2000 Finals May 1, 2000 1 15:00 Tokyo, Japan Pride FC 2000 Openweight Grand Prix quarterfinal Win 8–4 Masaaki SatakeSubmission (neck crank) Pride Grand Prix 2000 Opening Round January 30, 2000 1 1:14 Tokyo, Japan Pride FC 2000 Openweight Grand Prix Opening Round Win 7–4 Ricardo MoraisDecision (unanimous) Pride 8 November 21, 1999 2 10:00 Tokyo, Japan Loss 6–4 Nobuhiko TakadaSubmission (heel hook) Pride 5 April 29, 1999 2 1:44 Nagoya, Aichi, Japan Loss 6–3 Pedro RizzoDecision (split) UFC 18 January 8, 1999 1 15:00 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Loss 6–2 Pete WilliamsKO (head kick) UFC 17 May 15, 1998 1 12:38 Mobile, Alabama, U.S. Loss 6–1 Maurice SmithDecision (unanimous) UFC 14 July 27, 1997 1 21:00 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. Lost UFC Heavyweight Championship Win 6–0 Dan SevernSubmission (choke) UFC 12 February 7, 1997 1 2:57 Dothan, Alabama, U.S. Won inaugural UFC Heavyweight Championship unified with UFC Superfight Championship Win 5–0 Brian JohnstonSubmission (strikes) UFC 11 September 20, 1996 1 2:20 Augusta, Georgia, U.S. Won UFC 11 Tournament Win 4–0 Julian SanchezSubmission (choke) UFC 11 September 20, 1996 1 0:45 Augusta, Georgia, U.S. Win 3–0 Don FryeTKO (punches) UFC 10 July 12, 1996 1 11:34 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. Won UFC 10 Tournament Win 2–0 
Gary GoodridgeSubmission (exhaustion) UFC 10 July 12, 1996 1 7:00 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. Win 1–0 
Moti HorensteinSubmission (punches) UFC 10 July 12, 1996 1 2:43 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. Championships and accomplishments
Amateur wrestling
- 1986 NCAA Division I Championships: (190lbs 4th Place)
- 1988 NCAA Big Ten Championships: (190lbs 1st Place)
- 1988 NCAA Division I Championships: (190lbs 1st Place)
- 1990 Pan American Championships Freestyle Wrestling: (90kg 1st Place)
- 1991 Pan American Championships Freestyle Wrestling: (100kg 1st Place)
- 1991 Pan American Games Freestyle Wrestling: (100kg 1st Place)
- 1991 U.S.A. National Freestyle Wrestling Championships: (100kg 1st Place)
- 1991 FILA World Freestyle Wrestling Championships: (100kg 2nd Place)
- 1992 Pan American Championships Freestyle Wrestling: (100kg 1st place)
- 1992 Summer Olympics Freestyle Wrestling: (100kg 7th Place)
Mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
- UFC 10 Tournament Champion
- UFC 11 Tournament Champion
- UFC Heavyweight Championship (1 Time, First)
- UFC Hall of Fame
- UFC Viewer's Choice Award[14]
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Fight of the Year (1997) vs. Maurice Smith on July 27[15]
References
- ^ "Fight Finder: Mark Coleman". Sherdog. 2007. http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=136. Retrieved 2007-08-15.
- ^ "In fact, he's known as the "Godfather of Ground & Pound". Mark Coleman has got such a long list of wrestling titles, but it's when he stepped into mixed martial arts that he really proved the dominance of wrestlers who can go into the guard and strike or take you down and strike. He is the man responsible for coining the term 'ground and pound'" referring to his ability to takedown and then punch, elbow, and knee his way to victory (Stephen Quadros, Pride 16, 2001)
- ^ "UFC 10: Birth of ground 'n' pound". Yahoo. http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=dd-ufcten041109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
- ^ Sherdog.com Mark "The Hammer" Coleman Interview-Part 3 of 4 December 18, 2000
- ^ Sherdog.com Mark "The Hammer" Coleman Interview-Part 2 of 4 December 18, 2000
- ^ a b "Mark Coleman discusses his UFC 109 fight with Randy Couture". Heavy.com. 2010-02-01. http://www.heavy.com/post/mark-coleman-bottom-line-i-can-still-fight-3377. Retrieved 2010-06-24.
- ^ Heavy interview with Mark Coleman: Bottom Line, I Can Still Fight
- ^ Chute Boxe-Hammer House Rivalry Reaches Boiling Point
- ^ "Pride: The Real Deal Results & Photos". MMAweekly.com. 2006-10-22. http://mmaweekly.com/pride-the-real-deal-results-photos-2.
- ^ "Mark Coleman Released By UFC After UFC 109 Loss; Phillipe Nover and Tim Hague Also Cut". mmafrenzy.com. http://mmafrenzy.com/13149/mark-coleman-released-by-ufc-after-ufc-109-loss-phillipe-nover-and-tim-hague-also-cut/. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- ^ Here Today, Gone Tomorrow: UFC Headliner Cut from His Contract, 10 February 2010
- ^ (Living Legend: The Antidote with his daughters after losing to Fedor Emelianenko, 2006.)
- ^ http://www.internationalfightleague.com/News.aspx?i=87
- ^ http://www.fighttimes.com/magazine/magazine.asp?article=856
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrestling_Observer_Newsletter_awards
External links
- UFC.com Hall of Fame Profile
- Professional MMA record for Mark Coleman from Sherdog
- Olympic profile at sports-reference.com
- Mark Coleman at wrestlinghalloffame.org
- IMDB entry for Smashing Machine
Previous winner
Don FryeUFC 10 Heavyweight tournament winner
July 12, 1996
Next winner
Mark ColemanPrevious winner
Mark ColemanUFC 11 Heavyweight tournament winner
September 20, 1996
Next winner
Vitor BelfortPrevious winner
None1st UFC Heavyweight championship winner
February 7, 1997 – July 27, 1997
Next winner
Maurice Smith (kickboxer)Previous winner
NonePride Grand Prix tournament winner
2000
Next winner
Wanderlei SilvaCategories:- 1964 births
- American mixed martial artists
- Mixed martial artists from Ohio
- Light heavyweight mixed martial artists
- Heavyweight mixed martial artists
- American sport wrestlers
- Living people
- Ultimate Fighting Championship champions
- People from Sandusky County, Ohio
- Miami University alumni
- Wrestlers at the 1992 Summer Olympics
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
