Mark Coleman’s Scars Scar His Children For Life

Alright, you got me, this one is technically a father-daughter moment. If it makes any difference, there are two daughters, and at least one of them has better abs than any of us.  When Mark Coleman signed the contract to face Fedor Emelianenko at Pride 32 in Las Vegas, the former UFC heavyweight champion told his young daughters to pack their bags. The decision to bring them along for the trip was a no-brainer- I mean, family vacation, right? As for bringing them to the fight itself, in retrospect it looks like the brain was left out of that decision as well.

This is likely where that whole paternal “shield your young daughters from pain” instinct should have kicked in. Like any good fighter, Coleman undoubtedly believed in himself headed into the fight, but keep in mind that “The Last Emperor” was well into his legendary win-streak when this match took place. Also noteworthy is that Fedor needed only two minutes and eleven seconds to dispose of him in their first encounter. Unfortunately for all parties involved, this match (and Mark Coleman) bled into the second round. After ultimately succumbing to an armbar, a battered and bloody “Hammer” called for his daughters to join him in the ring. Their reaction to seeing their father’s swollen face, painfully immortalized on film, is only trumped by the awkwardness of them being forced to greet the man who had wailed on him moments earlier. Note to other fighters: if you’re going to show your young kids what you do for a living, use your dvr and be selective about which fights you show. Children, like some politicians, may not be able to grasp the sporting nature of a fist fight.

Happy Father’s Day.

- Chris Colemon

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