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Mark Coleman
2000-06-13 For the last six months there's been huge speculation of WCW bringing Coleman in to be the crown jewel in "The Shoot Club," which would be a collection of real tough-men including Tank Abbott, Rick Steiner and Coleman himself. IGN's Blake Norton caught up with "The Hammer" at the 26th Ultimate Fighting Championship last Sunday in Iowa. He spoke candidly about the talk of him entering the ring as a pro-wrestler, what he would like to accomplish in both that profession and his current situation, and showed a lot of respect towards the sport of pro-wrestling. Norton: There's a lot of rumors about you getting into pro wrestling. This is a huge topic on the internet right now. Coleman: I'm finding out that there really are a lot of rumors going on. I've talked to WCW for about six months on and off now. At times, they say they have really big plans, but then I don't hear anything official. Right now I'm just taking it like it's not going to happen, and preparing to fight again. Norton: Is it something you'd consider later on? Coleman: I'd consider it now, but WCW seems to be struggling a little bit. They came to me first, they had this whole angle figured out, so I showed interest because I have a family and kids. I had to show interest and look into it, but I'd prefer to fight for the next three, four or five years. If there's an opportunity to make good money in the WCW or the WWF, I'll continue to look into it. Norton: There was a lot of talk about a "shoot club" starting up, a gang of shoot fighters in WCW. Coleman: I'm not too sure, but honestly I think it was going to happen. Tank Abbott was at the beginning of this, then Rick Steiner, then Goldberg. I'm not sure of the whole situation. They told me they had real plans for the fight club, and I talked to a lot of people, but I think at this time they might be struggling financially, but they're not hiring anybody right now. I'm not waiting for a phone call. I understand. If they're no longer interested, I'm just going to fight. I have wrestling in the WWF and in Japan in the back of my mind too. Norton: Did you talk to either of them? Coleman: I've talked to everybody. Norton: So it's always going to be an option? Coleman: Yes. Right now I'm in a good position in the fight world. It's definitely not necessary, it's (Wrestling is) not something I have to do to survive. It's really hard to walk away from competing into the entertainment world. Norton: Shoot fighting is a very dangerous world. If you were injured to the point where you couldn't continue in it, would wrestling enter the picture again? Coleman: I'm just waiting for a solid offer. It's just been too much talk. There's been some offers, but I'm not looking for a whole lot of money. I just want to prove myself. I haven't gotten a solid enough offer to leave the fighting game, which I truly love to do. A solid offer would do it, and I may try to do both. You know, if I was to sign a contract with somebody, I'd have it put in my contract that I need to be able to fight at least one more time. I'm looking for special circumstances. Norton: I think Ken Shamrock did something similar with the WWF… Coleman: Yes he did. It's hard to tell what potential problems they'd have with me (in wrestling,) I'd just do my best. I just have to have that option to fight in Japan one last time. My next payday over there will be rather large. Norton: Why don't you tell our readers who aren't familiar with shoot fighting what you've done. You've been UFC champion, Superfight champion, you have an incredible reputation in the shoot fighting world. You've fought alongside Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn, Tank Abbott. What are you about? Coleman: I began fighting in 1996. It came rather easily to me because of my wrestling background. I'd take guys down and overpower them, it was like a mismatch. Norton: You were an amateur wrestler… Coleman: Yes, and I used that to go to the Olympics… Norton: 1992? (like Kurt Angle in '96 - ED) Coleman: Yes, and I came second in the world in '91. I really helped me in the fight game. I won three UFC belts and became ranked number one in the world. I suffered a severe knee injury. That and a bit of confidence and cockiness, because it did come so easily to me. A few losses and that injury prompted me to go back and learn to fight a whole lot better. That's when censorship came here in America on our sport (The UFC was heavily censored), so I had to go over and fight in Japan where money is much better. I just won the Grand Prix Tournament of Champions, which was for the world title. Unofficially, I'm the world champion, number one heavyweight in the world, so I've set myself up for a nice payday. I was also excited about moving into pro wrestling, but everything's touchy right now. I think WCW are trying to get on their feet right now. Norton: They've had management changes, problems with ratings, I hear a lot of that they're really interested in this idea but the company needs so much work internally that it will take time. Coleman: That's what I think it is. I'm just part of a big puzzle. I'm good friends with Goldberg and Rick Steiner, and I went to a couple of Monday Nitros. You have to be able to get along with everybody, and I felt I fit in quite well with those people. Norton: A few years ago, there was a lot of stigma about shoot fighters going into pro-wrestling, like it was dishonorable. Do you think it's more acceptable now than it was a few years ago? Coleman: I wasn't worried about it being acceptable. I was worrying about my family. People have to understand that. I can't fight forever. Nobody can fight forever. Shoot fighting is difficult and dangerous. I'm not saying wrestling is easy. It's just as difficult and dangerous as the UFC. But are my two options in life, and I'm not complaining. Norton: Do you think it's a good or bad thing that the UFC has had increased regulations and restrictions over the years? Time limits, banned moves, stoppages, so on? Coleman: The rules were definitely needed. My best weapon, why I won so easily at the beginning, the headbutt, was banned. I wish it were still available to me (grins), because it's a serious weapon to a wrestler like myself. But I understand why they took it out. It's not a pretty sight, it's a very dangerous weapon. That rule, the other rules, the weight classes were needed to put us on TV. But they've added enough now. They have to keep it where it's at. It's a good balance. They've hurt me as a fighter, made me learn how to fight more, instead of just brawling. Now I have to learn a lot more technique. It's a technique sport. Norton: What do you want to prove in your career? Coleman: I reclaimed the world title on May 1st, so now I'm sitting back. My phone is ringing off the hook. I could fight for any promotion I want right now, I'm not under contract with anybody, so I'm just waiting for the best offer. I've certainly looked into pro wrestling, so now it's simple; Who's going to pay me the most? More than likely, I'll be fighting back in Japan in a few months. I'll just continue to train hard, try to stay healthy. I have people looking into the WWF and Japan, both organizations, so I'm looking at all options. It's in my blood to fight. Norton: So you have to do that if you're wrestling too? Coleman: One more time at least, but I'm looking forward to many more fights in my future definitely. That's what I want to do. I hope I do get that opportunity to do pro wrestling, I just have to wait until I get a solid offer and then will hopefully try that route. Norton: We hope to see you there. Thank you for your time.y try that route.
Norton:
We hope to see you there. Thank you for your time.
Mark Coleman is literally one of the most dangerous fighters in the world today. He's fought all over the world and amassed an incredible record in shoot (real) fighting, earning world championships and numerous accolades. U.S. fans will know him best from his UFC fights, where he competed alongside men like Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn and Tank Abbott, all of whom moved on to Pro Wrestling.