The MMA community is less than three weeks away from witnessing the most awaited heavyweight clash in recent times between UFC heavyweight king Jon Jones and the division GOAT Stipe Miocic. ‘Bones’ will put his gold on the line for the first time against former champion Miocic in a five-round grueling battle scheduled for the upcoming UFC 309, set to take place in the heart of New York City.

The stakes of this fight are already high, as pundits and analysts have predicted Jones to pick up the win in this matchup. Amidst the chaos, how could UFC’s first-ever heavyweight champion, Mark Coleman, shy away from rooting for his favorite, Stipe Miocic? Coleman recently posted a picture of himself in the middle of sparring, showing his support for the Ohio native against ‘Bones’. Coleman commented, “You can do it, Champ! Finish him and be the King,” passing his blessings to the ‘resident fireman’ of the UFC.

Mark Coleman, a legend who had been relatively obscure until this year, came into the spotlight following a tragic fire incident that burned down his Ohio home. The 59-year-old single-handedly saved his parents from the burning house but unfortunately lost his beloved dog, Hammer, in the blaze. He fought to the last breath to save his pet but ultimately failed due to smoke inhalation, which caused him to pass out and fall into a coma for several days.

Upon regaining consciousness, ‘The Hammer’ became a hero in the fight community, with Max Holloway labeling him as a real-life BMF. Holloway honored Mark Coleman by granting him the privilege of presenting the belt to the winner of the historic UFC 300 matchup between Justin Gaethje and himself, with the winner’s belt wrapped around their waist, a moment Holloway was proud to embrace.

Why is Coleman supporting Stipe Miocic over Jon Jones?

Mark Coleman has been aligned with Stipe Miocic since the day the fight between Jon Jones and Miocic was confirmed. Initially scheduled for last November at Madison Square Garden, the fight was postponed after ‘Bones’ tore a tendon in his left shoulder during training just days before the event.

For Coleman, Stipe Miocic is the only fighter who stands a chance against ‘Bones’. Since then, Coleman has consistently supported the former two-time champ. Interestingly, they both hail from Ohio which adds a layer of regional bias. Last year, Coleman echoed this sentiment by posting a picture with Miocic, sharing some quick lessons from his decades of experience.

In the caption, he wrote, “I am working with the future goal of the heavyweight division @stipemiocic vs. John Bones Jones at Madison Square Garden! Yes, I do think he gets the job done. If anybody can do it, it’s him. This is the biggest fight in the history of the UFC. I can’t wait. I’m so excited! Sober is cool, carnivore diet, nine ancestry, and Hammer House for life.”

What are your thoughts on legendary Mark Coleman’s remarks? Do you believe Stipe Miocic can accomplish what no other fighter has achieved in the later stages of his career by becoming Jon Jones’s kryptonite? Drop your opinion below.