UFC 100 Preview: The Prelims

Mark Coleman (15-9) vs. Stephan Bonnar (11-5)

The Breakdown: Some things man is not meant to know, such as why in the world this fight was ever made. Respecting the old guard is understandable, but Coleman’s cardio alone should be enough to keep anyone from booking him. Granted, Bonnar is not some next generation superstar, but all he has to do is get this fight out of the first round and he will have Coleman looking like he ran two marathons while chain smoking a case of Marlboros. The style clash is not terribly important here since Coleman turns into a sitting duck on the feet and the mat once his lungs start going into seizures, and Bonnar knows how to throw a strike and cinch a submission.

The X Factor: Coleman managed one of the most improbable victories in recent memory when he hit the ankle pick of doom on Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and he can still take down most anyone you put in front of him. However, Coleman’s ground-and-pound isn’t the one shot, one kill variety, and Bonnar is a glutton for punishment anyway. It may not be the best situation for Coleman, but the ankle pick of doom is the ultimate trump card.

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The Bottom Line: This should be a fun scrap for however long Coleman’s cardio holds up, but once his meter hits zero, it will not take long for Bonnar to give him the dignity of a speedy submission. Alas, no ankle pick of doom or double leg of destruction this time around, but maybe the MMA world will get another post-fight special with Coleman introducing his six-pack packing daughters. In lieu of a competitive fight, I’ll settle for a surreal post-fight interview.