5 Planned Ken Shamrock Fights That Never Happened

#4 Mark Coleman

Mark Coleman: Backed out of proposed Ken Shamrock fight

PRIDE FC were desperate to promote a marquee dream match between the biggest draw in MMA history at that point in Ken Shamrock and the winner of the 2000 PRIDE Grand Prix tournament, Mark Coleman.

The bout would have been a monster attraction on pay per view had it occurred as planned in December 2000.

Why didn't it happen?

Coleman refused the bout. The "Hammer" was offered the fight on short notice after his Grand Prix win but cited a lack of preparation time as the reason he didn't accept acknowledging that a fight with Shamrock would need a lot of preparation time.

Who would have won?

It is clear that Coleman was overawed at the prospect of facing Shamrock meaning the battle was already half won for the "World's Most Dangerous Man."

Shamrock still had plenty in the tank in 2000 and Coleman, despite being victorious in the PRIDE 2000 Grand Prix was still massively inconsistent as a fighter with questionable cardiovascular conditioning.

Shamrock had no such issues and many, many more weapons in his arsenal with which to defeat Coleman.

Reports have surfaced over the years that Shamrock had KO'd and submitted Coleman at will during training camps, therefore there is little reason to expect a different result inside the ring.

Shamrock would have earned a submission win here had the fight took place.