Mark Coleman, a UFC trailblazer, shared his struggle with alcohol addiction while celebrating his friend Mark Kerr’s induction into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Pioneer Wing. Speaking to MMA Fighting on August 3, 2025, Coleman called sobriety his hardest battle and credited Kerr for inspiring his recovery. Kerr was honored during UFC 316’s broadcast on June 26, 2025, with Dwayne Johnson delivering his induction speech.
Coleman’s story of recovery
Coleman spoke warmly about Kerr, saying:
“Mark Kerr in Hall of Fame, I love it. I love this guy. I’m so happy for the way things are coming together for him. Because we’re sober brothers. He’s got like eight years almost and he inspired me to get sober as well. We fed off each other a little bit. He deserves it and I couldn’t be more happy for this guy. Good friend of mine.”
He urged fans to seek help, stating:
“I appreciate the fame because it gives me a platform to help people in getting sober. That’s what I’m here for. God took away my obsession to drink. He guides me now. I’m here to try and help people get sober. And trust me, it’s the toughest fight of my life. You gotta get in there, you gotta get help. And you gotta do it now, because tomorrow might not come. So, put the bottle down, get up off the couch, get some exercise in. But first get sober, I can do anything if I just stay sober.”
🚨🥊 Mark Coleman, a UFC Hall of Famer, has regained consciousness after heroically rescuing his parents from a house fire earlier this week.
“I’m the happiest man alive!”
Legend 👏 pic.twitter.com/oi05wGascq
— Censored Men (@CensoredMen) March 14, 2024
Mark Coleman, 60, is from Fremont, Ohio, and became the UFC’s first heavyweight champion in 1997, winning the UFC 10 and 11 tournaments. His record is 16-10, with wins over Dan Severn and Don Frye. Known for creating ground-and-pound, he also won the 2000 PRIDE Grand Prix. Coleman struggled with alcohol addiction but has been sober since 2017.
Mark Kerr, 56, is from Toledo, Ohio, and was a force in early MMA. He won UFC heavyweight tournaments at UFC 14 and 15 in 1997, beating Moti Horenstein, Dan Bobish, Greg Stott, and Dwayne Cason. His record is 13-6, with wins in PRIDE and the World Vale Tudo Championship. Kerr won ADCC titles in 1999 and 2000, defeating Josh Barnett and Ricco Rodriguez. He battled painkiller addiction but has been sober for nearly eight years.
In 2002, the HBO documentary The Smashing Machine followed Kerr’s career and painkiller addiction, including a 1999 overdose on methadone and Valium. It showed his friendship with Coleman, who helped him recover, and shed light on MMA’s toll on fighters.
In July 2025, Dwayne Johnson, starring as Kerr in the A24 film The Smashing Machine, spoke at the Hall of Fame ceremony, calling Kerr a beacon of hope for those fighting addiction after surviving two overdoses.
