Black Wednesday Hits the UFC: Mark Coleman One of Four Fighters Let Go

Fighting for the UFC is a dream for most mixed martial artists. They work hard to get noticed by the company, and receiving the call to compete for them is a reward for all they put into their careers.

Most times keeping your job with the organization is a lot harder than getting the opportunity.

Fighters know that losing is never tolerated and that there is always someone else waiting to take their spot.

Four men found out just how easily their dreams can be crushed yesterday as the UFC released participants Mark Coleman, Frank Trigg, Phillipe Nover and Tim Hague.

None of the cuts caught anyone off guard, especially in the case of Coleman. The 44-year-old former UFC heavyweight champion was 1-2 since his return and was thoroughly dominated by the 45-year-old Randy Couture.

Coleman’s release marked the second time in company history that a fighter who was involved in the main event was released immediately after the card had taken place.

Former UFC heavyweight Tim Sylvia was the first man to get the axe after being a part of a main event card. He was defeated at UFC 81 by Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

Trigg’s release wasn’t a surprise either. At age 37 and having lost both his bouts since he returned to the UFC, Trigg knew full well that this day was coming.

Both men could look for fights elsewhere, but their options are limited inside the cage.

Trigg has an extensive history as an announcer, having called fights for both Pride and Affliction.

Also released was The Ultimate Fighter season seven finalist Phillipe Nover. The man Dana White said reminded him of a young Georges St. Pierre was winless in all three of his UFC bouts.

Last, but not last to be cut, was heavyweight Tim Hague. Unfortunately, he will be best remembered as the man who was knocked out in a mere seven seconds at UFC 102 by Todd Duffee.

It was the fastest recorded knockout in UFC history. Hauge was winless in two fights. Some believed Hague won his bout with Chris Tuchscherer, but the judges saw it differently.

Nover should have no problem finding a spot in a regional promotion. At age 26, there might be a time when we see Nover back inside the octagon.

Hague may head back to the King of the Cage Canada promotion, where he is undefeated in eight bouts with the organization.

If this truly is the end for Coleman, we are saying goodbye to one of the best heavyweights in mixed martial arts history.

Not only was he the first ever UFC heavyweight champion, he won both the UFC 11 & 12 tournaments, as well as the 2000 Pride Openweight Grand Prix.