UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman gives health update, reacts to latest rule changes in MMA

LAS VEGAS – UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman caught up with MMA Junkie at the 16th annual World MMA Awards, where he was nominated and won awards for Lifetime Achievement Award for his MMA career and overcoming addiction, and Fighting Spirit Award, for his display of bravery in fearlessly rescuing his family and loved ones from a burning building.

The former UFC heavyweight champion spoke about his health, latest rule changes in MMA, and Jon Jones’ career.

Health update

“I’ve had six hip replacements this year alone, and I just took them all in stride. I use it to motivate me, and the more the pain the bigger the reward, and now I’m three months post my last surgery, so I’m three months out of the woods, and hopefully, we got this infection taken care of, and I can get back on my grind because I got big things to do.”

Jon Jones’ career

“He definitely has the right to do whatever he wants. He’s undefeated and the greatest of all time. But deep down, I feel like Jon Jones is too good to not test himself against Tom Aspinall, who’s fantastic and a very, very bog guy. He’s lightning fast, he’s agile, and he can do it all. That’s the fight everyone wants to see. It’s up to Dana White to make it happen. Jon just wants to get paid. It’s that simple.”

Change in definition of grounded opponent

“It changes the sport, knees on the ground. Of course, headbutts on the ground were completely, a little bit too crazy – even for me. I loved it, but there’s no room for the sport to grow with headbutts like that. But yeah, I agree. Knees on the ground, they’re a must and people just putting their hand out to avoid them, it changes the game. It changes how you have to defend yourself, and I expect to see a lot of violent knockouts coming.”