Coleman ‘Probably’ Finished in UFC, White Says

LAS VEGAS -- Mark Coleman, the first heavyweight champion in the promotion’s history, appears to have fought his last fight in the UFC.

The 45-year-old submitted to a second-round rear-naked choke from fellow hall of famer Randy Couture in the UFC 109 “Relentless” main event on Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Coleman has lost two of his three fights since returning from a decade-long absence from the Octagon.

“I think that was probably Coleman’s last fight in the UFC,” UFC President Dana White said. “Mark Coleman has always been a stand-up guy with me. I think he’s going to have a hard time competing with these guys at the top. Age is a factor with him.”

Coleman mounted virtually no offense against Couture, who bullied him into the cage and battered him the clinch. Couture took down the Columbus, Ohio, native without much resistance in the second round, quickly moved into a dominant position and dropped punches until his wilting foe surrendered his back. From there, the conclusion was a mere formality, as Couture delivered his first submission win in more than four years.

“[Coleman] wasn’t able to do anything,” White said. “Is a fighter ever accepting? It’s tough to say it’s over.”