Mark Coleman was the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first heavyweight titleholder and a true mixed martial arts pioneer. In his prime, “The Hammer” combined takedowns with brutal ground-and-pound to devastating effect. Coleman retired with a 16-10 record following a submission loss to Randy Couture in February 2010.
In a career filled with defining moments, here are five that stand out:
1. Announcing His Arrival
Coleman was an MMA novice when he entered the UFC 10 tournament on July 12, 1996 in Birmingham, Alabama. After defeating Moti Horenstein and Gary Goodridge, “The Hammer” faced UFC 8 tournament winner Don Frye in the final.