UFC 11: Coleman by default
Former Ohio State wrestling star Mark Coleman, a U.S. Olympian, successfully retained his tournament title from UFC 10, but in a decidedly easier fashion than the first time.
Coleman easily advanced to the finals with a pair of quick submission victories. He choked out Julian Sanchez in 45 seconds, then forced Brian Johnston to submit due to strikes at 2:20 of the first round.
Coleman was in great condition and ready for a long battle in the finale, but it never came. He was supposed to fight 350-pound Scott Ferrozzo in the finale, but Ferrozzo was fatigued from his semifinal overtime victory over Tank Abbott.
Promoters then selected alternate Roberto Traven, who had won earlier in the night, to meet Coleman in the finals. But Traven had broken a hand in his victory over Dave Berry and was unable to continue.
That gave the pay-per-view audience the less-than-thrilling conclusion of Coleman by forfeit.
NOTEWORTHY
Julian Sanchez, Resa Nasri, Dave Berry, Roberto Traven and Sam Fulton each competed in their first mixed martial arts fight on this show.
Abbott was appearing for the first time in seven months, as he returned after a suspension because of a brawl in the stands with Allen Goes at UFC 8 in Puerto Rico.
Attendance was 4,500 at the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta, Ga.
RESULTS
Alternates
Scott Ferrozzo def. Sam Fulton, TKO
Roberto Traven def. Dave Berry, TKO, 1:33
Quarterfinals
Mark Coleman def. Julian Sanchez, submission (choke), 0:44
Brian Johnston def. Reza Nasri, TKO, 0:30
Tank Abbott def. Sam Adkins, submission (neck crank), 2:06
Jerry Bohlander def. Fabio Gurgel, unanimous decision.
Semifinals
Coleman def. Johnston, submission (strikes), 2:20
Ferrozzo (substitute for Bohlander) def. Abbott, unanimous decision
Finals
Coleman won by default as Ferrozzo was unable to continue and no replacements were available.