‘Tomorrow Is Not Promised and Nobody…’ – 57-Year-Old Mark Coleman Provides Major Health Update After Openly Talking About Struggle With Addiction in Past

Mark Coleman is one of the most reputed names in the field of MMA. ‘The Hammer’ achieved a few indomitable feats inside the Octagon which include becoming the UFC 10 and 11 tournament champion. He was also the first-ever UFC Heavyweight Champion. He was also the ‘Pride Fighting Championship 2000’s’ Open Weight Grand Prix champion. Coleman was also inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at UFC 82.

But, ‘The Hammer’s’ life outside the octagon has been far from perfect. ‘The Godfather of Ground & Pound’ had severe issues with alcoholism and substances. But he has been currently sober for about a year. Coleman, being a UFC veteran, talked about Islam Makhachev after his recent win against Charles Oliveira.

Mark Coleman saw Islam Makhachev as a fighter like himself

Coleman being a UFC veteran, could not resist posting his snap with the newly crowned champion ‘Islam Makhachev‘. He also captioned his Instagram upload with the lightweight champion, “Officially one and a half years Sober Today. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t quit. If u think u need help get help by far the best decision of my life. Don’t wait tomorrow is not promised and nobody can do it alone. I kind of had a feeling. I think @islam_makhachev going to be champ for a long time.”

Coleman probably saw a fighter like him inside Makhachev, which inspired these words from him. After all, the eye of a fighter like ‘The Hammer’ would hardly falter to recognize another true fighter.

Coleman is a true fighter outside the Octagon as well

The fight is really tough when it is against one’s demons. Coleman was a proven warrior inside the Octagon, but his fights with his own demons were unknown to a lot of MMA fans. His untoward history of struggles with addiction had worn out a major part of his life, leading him to severe physical issues.

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In late 2020, Coleman suffered a blockage of one of his major arteries. He described in his Instagram post “chest locked up my arms went numb”. But he gathered his courage to visit the hospital himself and finalized the operation to get his artery unblocked. He implied that he had more duties to fulfill as a father, which made him take this decision.

But, as of now, ‘The Hammer’ knocked his demons out as he declared that he was “Officially one and a half years Sober”. Coleman has also been very vocal about his struggles. He described his journey saying, “I checked into rehabilitation… I learnt”. He also said, “it’s gonna end up in death” if steps aren’t taken at the right time. Coleman iterated that issues like alcoholism and addiction “does not discriminate”. He said, “it can pick anyone and it never stops until it has taken away everything”.

Coleman urged anyone in distress to get help. He also provides coaching to other athletes and guides them toward having an addiction-free life.

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