Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Mark Coleman

After nearly fading into obscurity following a string of four-straight losses, Mark Coleman had bounced back in emphatic fashion in 2000 when he won the Pride Openweight Grand Prix. Nogueira, on the other hand, was a Rings Champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert who was just beginning to make his name at the highest level of MMA, and a first-round finish of Coleman propelled him to new heights.

While Coleman was riding an impressive winning streak heading into the bout, Nogueira had only lost one bout in his professional career as of 2001, and that was a controversial Split Decision loss to Dan Henderson one year earlier. After finding success early with his technically-superior boxing and clinch work, Nogueira slipped on a head-kick attempt and found himself working from the closed guard position. Not long after, Coleman was forced to tap out due to a tight Triangle Choke / Armbar combination at the 6:10 mark of the round. Coleman remarked later that he was surprised by the enormous grip strength exhibited by “Minotauro” in the guard position, and his inability to work any significant ground and pound as a result.

The win over Coleman was enormous for Nogueira’s career, as he was given a chance to fight for the first-ever Pride Heavyweight Championship two months later, which he won be defeating Heath Herring by Unanimous Decision. Nogueira would go on to become one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Coleman, for his part, was not able to put together another extended winning streak for the rest of his career.