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For the first time ever, two UFC Hall of Famers will do battle at UFC 109, this Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada. Randy “The Natural” Couture vs. Mark “The Hammer” Coleman have been pioneers in the sport of MMA: Couture has held two titles in two weight classes and is a dominant Greco-Roman wrestler, while Coleman was once an authoritative heavyweight and is credited with inventing the ground and pound. Both fighters have already made their mark in MMA, yet this fight is critical for them, as both are well into their forties and are looking to stay relevant and worthy of a main event. Indeed, their glory days are behind them, as both have won just half of their last 10 fights. They show similar records (Couture is 17-10 while Coleman is 16-9), and these two warriors have much to prove and still have a lot to show thanks to diligent training and the desire to make what will perhaps be their final attempt at a comeback.
Ringside Report caught up with Mark Coleman and discussed the craze surrounding this long overdue fight. “This sport is all about being in the right place at the right time”, Coleman states. “During our prime, I was fighting for Pride in Japan, and he was over here, and injuries prevented it from happening.” Coleman says the question he is asked the most is, “When will you fight Randy Couture?”, and he looks forward to settling the question once and for all this Saturday. Coleman realizes the impact this fight can, and most certainly will, have on his career. “It’s a huge opportunity to put myself back on the map. I don’t want to be a gatekeeper. The opportunity fell into my lap and I feel fortunate that Randy accepted the fight.” Coleman also understands he needs to be ready if he wants another shot at greatness in the UFC. “The talk is that the winner will get a title shot. If Randy wins, he deserves a title shot because of who he is. I have to win impressively. ”
Mark Coleman is well aware that the odds appear to be against him in the match-up, he is a +300 underdog according to Las Vegas odds-makers. “It’s to be expected. I brought that upon myself with my inconsistency over the years. I’ve had an up-and-down career and I haven’t given this sport 100% over the last 10 years.” Coleman cites being a doting father and lack of funds to get the adequate training as the main reasons for his undoing over the last decade.
In order to beat the Coture, Coleman admits he needs to resist the urge to follow his instincts and go back to wrestling. “I’m always looking to knock out somebody. I go out there with a game plan to throw punches but my instincts are too strong and I go back to wrestling. I’m going to try to avoid that. I want to throw punches. I think I hit harder than him and can take a better shot than him. Hopefully I am stronger than him and can counter his aggression and nullify his clinch.” The match-up between these two wrestling warriors is anyone’s game, and Coleman predicts we will see some stand-up, as it won’t be an easy task to take either man down.
If Coleman is successful in neutralizing Couture’s conditioning, he could be well on his way toward another title shot against the winner of the Light Heavyweight Championship fight taking place in Montreal at UFC 113 between Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. In light of Coleman’s two previous fights against Rua, he feels a rematch would be ideal. “If Shogun wins, my chances (at a title shot) are better.” The two fighters are tied at 1 fight apiece: Coleman won their first encounter via TKO at Pride 31: Unbreakable in early 2006, then went on to lose his next fight against Shogun at UFC 93 three years later, and is eager to fight him again, regardless of whether Rua wins his rematch against Machida in May or not.
However, Coleman looks forward to Saturday and the chance to beat one of the biggest names in UFC history. “The main reason I want to fight him is nothing personal. I have nothing but respect for him. Just his name is such a big name and he is such a legend, and I only want to fight fights that have importance.” Another fight of lesser importance but of equal value in Coleman’s eyes is one that would pin him against The Huntington Beach Bad Boy and upcoming coach on The Ultimate Fighter Season 11. “One guy I do have a problem with is Tito “Douchebag” Ortiz”, Coleman calls the former UFC light-heavyweight champ. “I don’t like him. He talks a lot about everybody and doesn’t respect too many people. That’s the guy I’ll be waiting for until I’m 60 years old. We can fight in the cage or in the street, I don’t care.”
Before a potential fight with either Ortiz or Rua, Mark Coleman will take on Randy Couture in the main event at UFC 109: Relentless this Saturday, February 6.
by Julie Veilleux (quotes courtesy of Ringside Report Radio)
Listen to the entire interview with Mark Coleman HERE
