No nickname in mixed martial arts history fits its subject better than “The Hammer.” Mark Coleman will turn 53 on Dec. 20.
“The Godfather of Ground-and-Pound” called it a career in March 2013 but not before leaving a lasting impression on the sport. Coleman won an NCAA wrestling championship at Ohio State University and represented the United States at the 1992 Summer Olympics, placing seventh in Barcelona, Spain. He transitioned to MMA in 1996, winning the UFC 10 and UFC 11 tournaments before later becoming the first heavyweight titleholder in Ultimate Fighting Championship history.