Stephan Bonnar vs Mark Coleman confirmed for UFC 100 on July 11

by MMAmania.com on Apr 9, 2009 8:56 AM EDT Comment 44 comments

The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) runner up, Stephan Bonnar, will indeed lock horns with former heavyweight champion, Mark Coleman, in a light heavyweight bout slated for UFC 100 from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 11.

TUF 8 middleweight winner, Amir Sadolla, confirmed what we already knew last night on another edition of "Inside the Octagon," which is a series of brief announcements that are made during commercial breaks while the Spike TV mixed martial arts reality series airs on Wednesday nights.

Of course, this latest announcement comes hot on the heals of the three "superfights" confirmed for the Centennial pay-per-view (PPV) event just yesterday.

Bonnar recently returned from a catastrophic knee injury while training for a big fight against Matt Hamill in April 2008, which derailed the progress he had made after a suspension for steroids.

In fact, he was on a two-fight win streak, finishing Eric Schafer and Mike Nickels, respectively, establishing himself once again as a dangerous light heavyweight threat. But the long layoff and a very gifted opponent, Jon Jones, ended that streak and happy return at UFC 94 on Jan. 31.

It was a tough pill for "The American Psycho" to swallow -- he was visibly upset after the bout. However, the X-Treme Couture product will look to erase that memory when he hooks 'em up with "The Hammer."

Coleman, too, recently returned from a long break in competition, testing his skills against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 93: "Franklin vs. Henderson" on Jan. 17. He ended up on the wrong end of a third round technical knockout, which he felt was an unjust stoppage, in his first fight inside the Octagon since 1999.

The UFC Hall of Famer earned $40,000 for putting on a "Fight of the Night"-caliber performance; however, most onlookers did not feel it was worthy of such an honor. That’s because Coleman and Rua appeared to tire early in the first round and turned in sloppy performances because of their exhaustion.

Hopefully, he will use that extra bonus money to ensure that he is prepared 100 percent this time around.

Coleman — the first-ever UFC heavyweight champion and most recent inductee into the promotion’s hall of fame — had a semi-successful run in the Pride FC organization, with the highlight of his work overseas being the champion of the first-ever open weight grand prix in 2000.

Since that time, however, the 43-year-old former collegiate national wrestling champion for THE Ohio State University has compiled an average record (4-5), taking on some of the best competitors in the division such as Fedor Emelianenko (two losses), Mirko Cro Cop (loss) and Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira (loss).

It’s doesn’t get any easier with Bonnar.

UFC 100 features two major title fights: Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir will tangle to declare an undisputed division champion and Georges St. Pierre will once again defend his 170-pound strap against number one contender, Thiago Alves. TUF 9 coaches, Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping, are also slated to meet and determine who earns the right to challenge the reigning middleweight champion later in 2009.

For the latest UFC 100 fight card and rumors click here.

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I hope Coleman can get a good camp this time round or Bonnar will wear this guy out after 1 round.

by Ca$z on Apr 9, 2009 8:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone give a sh!t about either of these guys??? They both suck and are boring to watch. Stephan Bonner is a tool.

by Boom Goes the Dynamite! on Apr 9, 2009 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

this fight is ridiculous, coleman is a dead man walking.

by shamo84 on Apr 9, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bonnar is boring? That is a completely unintelligent comment to make. Have you actually seen any of his fights? The guy has a huge heart and has been in some serious wars. He’s tough as nails and I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone finish him.

I’m a fan of Bonnar and I was disappointed to see him lose to Jones but Bonnar wasn’t nearly as quick and strong as Jones was and I think Bonnar was caught off uard for most of that fight. He probably underestimated him which wasa huge mistake. Bonnar is a warrior and I think he’s going to beat Coleman down and finish him. I can’t see a way that Coleman wins this fight. He should never fight at LHW again and just stick to HW where he doesn’t have to drain himself cutting weight at his age.

by Buster Bluth on Apr 9, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

werd abt bonnar buster bluth, awesome tv show btw haha

by bump on Apr 9, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree Buster. There really isnt any way that Coleman can win this fight. Sure Coleman can take Bonnar down, but BOnnar has a very under rated Guard! i think the world of his Jits.

Im sure that Bonnar will perform better than he did in his last fight. He took that fight after a long lay off, coming off a knee injury and his cardio was the worst I have ever seen it (Shogun-syndrome)… The more figts Shogun, BOnnar and the rest of the recovering ACL’s fight, the closer they will be to returning to top form. Im also sure that Bonnar had to underestimate Jones….I sure as hell did. Not saying BOnnar will beat JOnes if they fight again, but I am sure that he could do better than he did when they fought!

FYI: THE UFC better keep this fight OFF of the MAIN CARD!

by john on Apr 9, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

agree with everything you said but I have no problem with it being on the main card…more fights for us to watch

by Robert(1) on Apr 9, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you say UFC better keep this off the Main Card? what do yo usugest they put? Jones vs Obrien? please…….

I think the Main Card is going to run like this, or should run like this.

what the order should look like:

George St. Pierre vs Thaigo Alves
Brock Lesnar vs Frank “Mur”
Dan Henderson vs Bisping
Akiyam vs Belcher
Bonnar vs Coleman

Fitch vs Thiago
Jones vs Obrein

what it will look like:
Brock Lesnar vs Frank “Mur” cuz of course Brock wil lvarry the pay perviews with his name alone.
GSP vs Alves
Hendo vs Bisping (although i wouldnt be surpised to see this after the GSP vs ALves title fight. UFC has doen some wierd things on the ppv where you think a certain fight is up next, and it turns out to be something else.

Akiyam vs Belcher
Coleman vs Bonner

by Adam on Apr 9, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ADam: Considering the FACT that neither Bonnar or Coleman are top 20 LHW’s….I would think that airing the Jon Fitch fight, who happens to probably be #3 welterweight in the world over this lackluster match up would be a NO BRAINER!!!!

by john on Apr 9, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stephan Bonnar is one of the toughest guys to finish in MMA. The more you hit him, the more he comes at you. I always love to watch his fights.

by c-war on Apr 9, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with what Buster Bluth is saying.
I hope that it is on the televised portion of the fight card.

BTW he was finished by Machida tKO via cuts along time ago.it was at an event called Jungle Fight 1 back in 2003.the event took place in Bazil.it was Bonnar’s 4th fight and Machida’s 2nd.

by the Levi on Apr 14, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

To say Bonner is boring is a stretch… he may not be as flashy as some others but for a big guy he has a decent ground game and excellent submissions.

I am not a huge fan of his but I certainly respect what his contributions have done for the UFC and MMA.

by DJ on Apr 9, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I happen to think Bonner is an exciting fighter with some good subs…Coleman is a legend and deserves the spot….one of the first champs vs one of the fighters to put UFC on the map I like the fight…

by Robert(1) on Apr 9, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bonner is a joke. He should have been cut by the UFC long ago.

by LJ on Apr 9, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bonner will NEVER be cut from the UFC. Dana will never forget that Griffin and Bonner expoded the UFC.

by CaptainAmerica on Apr 9, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What has he done since then???? He had a BS win over Jardine, that I believe he only got because he was the guy from the Season 1 finale w/ a 6 fig contract. He just got tooled by Jon Jones. CUT HIM!!!!!

by LJ on Apr 9, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WHY???

by deadgrassinyeard on Apr 10, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thats exactly what will happen, Bonnar will stick and move him propably while stuffing some take downs and Coleman will be gassed for the 2nd and 3rd

by IrishKev on Apr 9, 2009 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree than he “can” put on a good show but he can only ride the TUF wave for so long. He is a well rounded fighter with a strong chin but I find his striking robotic with little power and little imagination. Same with his ground game. Sorry for those who have an allegiance to Bonner but the guy just doesn’t do it for me.

by Boom Goes the Dynamite! on Apr 9, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m gonna go out on a limb and pick an upset for this fight. Bonnar to win this one.

by rydinlow on Apr 9, 2009 9:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m not too sure that’s really an upset. I would expect Bonnar to win this.

by in2sauce on Apr 9, 2009 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Either way I look at it I find what you said hilarious! If you were joking it was funny and if you think Coleman is a worthy opponent that is just as funny!!

lolol

by Ca$z on Apr 9, 2009 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Coleman is so over and done with it is ridiculous to even allow him in a sanctioned event, get a real job mark. you were a pioneer, but that’s along time ago , in a far away place. the man is risking permanent damage for what,a 10 grand . after expenses , ect. he will probably walk away with 5 G’s. all you aspiring pro fighters out there, have a back-up plan. so you don’t have to risk death to pay the rent. please mark, have some dignity and end this. a concerned mma fan.

by daz on Apr 9, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

how is that an upset everyone just wants to see colemans gas tank last longer than the first 3 minutes. im pretty sure bonnar is a lock in this one

by Jared on Apr 9, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You think Bonnar winning will be an upset? I think he should be the clear favorite. His cardio is never in question and he’s a former golden glove winner (I believe). That combined with him now training at XTreme Couture makes him the favorite in my book.

by WB on Apr 9, 2009 9:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I will enjoy Coleman getting KTFO!!!

by RickyRobbie on Apr 9, 2009 9:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

loser should be cut imo

by Bad intentions on Apr 9, 2009 9:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I was just kidding about the upset, only way coleman can win this fight is by showing up with good cardio.

by rydinlow on Apr 9, 2009 9:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes good cardio will help and 10 years younger would help even more.

by bigmcmac on Apr 9, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t see why anyone would consider Mark Coleman relevent.

by El Mexicutioner, formerly The Mexicutioner on Apr 9, 2009 9:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i dont hes just doing what he loves and i sorta respect that. its hard tho considering he looks like shit everytime but the man gives his heart and soul into his fights and thats why he still gets fights with the ufc. plus hes a legend

by Jared on Apr 9, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I got Bonnar by rape in the first!!

by Gina's triangle chokes dummy :) on Apr 9, 2009 9:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

same

by Jared on Apr 9, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Colemans last fight for sure,if not by retirement,at least by serious injury.Bonnar gonna destroy him,and I’d hate to see it,but its the only way I can see this goin down.

by Bons on Apr 9, 2009 9:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

To “Boom goes the dynamite”, I can’t see how you think Bonnar is boring to watch?? I think he’s been involved in some of the most exciting fights since the UFC began! Even in his last defeat against “Bones” Jones he took some serious punishment and kept attacking – he doesn’t give in, doesn’t get knocked out and has decent all-round skills to boot. He is a challenge for anyone in the 205lb division.

by Jimrod on Apr 9, 2009 10:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Coleman is a bloated steroid loser! He will test positive either way!

by Mr. Vince McMahon on Apr 9, 2009 10:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like this fight. Im not sure Coleman continues to fight if he loses this one though. Bonnar needs this win as well, although I think he will always have a place in the UFC.

by Nick Russell on Apr 9, 2009 10:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bonnar will destroy Coleman. I have Bonnar in the second round by exhaustion.

GrowHuge.com

by Jbyrd on Apr 9, 2009 11:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The loser will NOT be cut because of their names I think. I could be completely wrong about this, and Bonnar is not the most popular guy ever, but he’s done a lot for the UFC (i.e. TUF) and him and Dana have a very good relationship. He’s a talented guy and if can get back on a winning streak. Will be a tough fight for both gents.

by ShitleTot.com on Apr 9, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like this fight too. Bonnar needs a good win, back to back losses in the UFC are not good, but based upon the post fight chat dana had with Bonnar after his last loss, I dont think the UFC would ever cut him.

by Lucas on Apr 9, 2009 11:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Much as I like Mark Coleman, Stephan Bonnar takes this one

by zulu9812 on Apr 9, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Can I ask why Mark Coleman is in the UFC ?

by Rashad-Marquardt-GSP-Sherk on Apr 9, 2009 2:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Can I ask why Bonnar is in the UFC? The guy is a BUM. Coleman has at least had gold strapped around his waist.

by xxBAxx816 on Apr 9, 2009 5:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’ve never liked Mark Coleman. I think he is boring. Even in his prime, I thought he was boring. I’m very surprised this article is getting these many comments.

Am I the only one who simply doesn’t give a damn about this fight, since I find it totally inconsequential for the division?

by aman on Apr 10, 2009 7:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs