One of the UFC’s greatest icons, Mark Coleman, may have ended up irking Dana White with his latest business dealings. A dominant force in the Octagon during his pomp, Coleman had managed to win both heavyweight tournaments at UFC 10 and then UFC 11, during the promotion’s infancy.
And in 1997, Coleman scooped the promotion’s heavyweight crown, stopping the fan-favorite, Dan Severn, with a scarf-hold choke submission. A regular fixture of the organization until the end of his career in 2010, Coleman also featured prominently with PRIDE FC during his career.
A good 15 years after he retired, the veteran is making a comeback, notably in an organization that rivals his former boss’.
Set to re-enter combat sports as soon as this weekend, Coleman will try his hand at slap fighting as a commentator. On social media this week, the 60-year-old Ohio native took a slap to the face during a promotional video, before hyping up SlapFIGHT Championship in his marketing role.
“Watch me take my first slap well from a dude that is @_slapfight_ Live tonight on the Fight network YouTube all our PLN stations life is what you make it,” Coleman posted on his Instagram account. “Turn it up a notch, take some risk, fearless do more, enjoy.”
And thankfully, not competing in the ‘sport’, Coleman has been lauded as an inspiration nonetheless by many fans in the comment section. “At this stage, you are an inspiration to many, brother… just like Mike Tyson is,” wrote a user.
Another fan referred to Coleman as “the king”, while a third claimed to this day, they still wouldn’t like to take a blow from the 60-year-old. “Wouldn’t wanna get hit with those paws, mate,” he said.
In 2010, White was full of praise for Coleman and it seems likely that his respect for him remains the same.
“I’m not taking anything away from Mark Coleman,” White had told MMA Junkie.
“I have nothing but respect for him, and I’ll say this now, too: Mark Coleman has always been a stand-up guy to me. He’ll always be a part of this organization.”
White also said that age had caught up with Coleman, which could not have made him fight with his opponents at the top level by then (2010). Notably, given his past dealing with health issues and brain injuries, it’s a relief that Coleman will not be stepping up to compete once again.
Coleman’s history with brain trauma
Given the controversy surrounding the practice of slap-fighting, particularly in Power Slap, and the correlation regarding potential brain trauma, let’s be thankful Coleman won’t be subject to any more.
And really, it’s the last thing he needs. Hitting the headlines back in 2022, Coleman was assaulted with a golf club during an altercation on a course. And as such, he was left dealing with a skull fracture.
During his MMA career, Coleman also suffered three knockout defeats, as well as a ton of trauma to the head from repeated blows. Infamously, a severely swollen-faced Coleman reassured his young daughters he was okay following his submission loss to Fedor Emelianenko back in 2004.
Coleman has also suffered a knockout loss to Mirko Cro Cop, as well as a defeat to Shogun Rua at a UFC event in Dublin back in 2009. In his first knockout defeat, Coleman was flattened by Pete Williams with a hellacious high-kick KO back in 1997.
