Introduction
UFC 109: Relentless. February 6, 2010. Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas. Randy Couture submitted Mark Coleman in the light heavyweight main event. The fight had originally been booked for UFC 17 in May 1998 and was cancelled due to a Couture injury. Nearly 12 years later, it was finally delivered. It was the first time in UFC history that two UFC Hall of Fame inductees competed against each other.
Chael Sonnen defeated Nate Marquardt by unanimous decision in the middleweight co-main. Phil Davis made his UFC debut with a win over Brian Stann. Rolles Gracie debuted and lost to Joey Beltran.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Quick Stats
3. The Build-Up
4. Main Event
5. Co-Main Event
6. Full Results
7. Bonuses & Awards
8. Records & Milestones
9. Legacy & Impact
10. FAQ
11. References
Quick Stats
Date: February 6, 2010
Venue: Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Main Event: Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman — LHW; first fight between two UFC Hall of Famers; 12 years in the making
Result: Randy Couture def. Mark Coleman — Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) — R2, 1:09
Notable: Chael Sonnen def. Marquardt UD; Phil Davis UFC debut; Rolles Gracie UFC debut (lost)
The Build-Up
Randy Couture and Mark Coleman were booked to fight at UFC 17 in 1998. Couture’s injury cancelled the fight. Both men went on to have Hall of Fame careers. By 2010, both were already inducted. The UFC confirmed the booking for UFC 109 with the tagline ‘Legends Collide.’
Main Event
Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman — Light Heavyweight
Randy Couture controlled Coleman with his wrestling and clinch work and secured the submission. The fight went to the fans as much as to any tactical statement — two legends of the sport, finally meeting, both past 45.
Co-Main Event
Chael Sonnen vs. Nate Marquardt — Middleweight
Chael Sonnen dominated Marquardt with wrestling and ground and pound, winning by unanimous decision. The result built directly toward his UFC 117 title fight against Anderson Silva in August 2010.
Full Results
Preliminary Card
Joey Beltran def. Rolles Gracie — TKO (Punches) — R2, 1:31 — HW; Rolles Gracie UFC debut
Chris Tuchscherer def. Tim Hague — Decision (Majority) — R3, 5:00 — HW
Phil Davis def. Brian Stann — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 — LHW; Davis UFC debut
Rob Emerson def. Phillipe Nover — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 — LW
Melvin Guillard def. Ronys Torres — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 — LW
Mac Danzig def. Justin Buchholz — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 — LW
Main Card
Matt Serra def. Frank Trigg — KO (Punches) — R1, 2:23 — WW
Demian Maia def. Dan Miller — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) — MW
Paulo Thiago def. Mike Swick — Submission (D'Arce Choke) — R2, 1:54 — WW; Swick replaced injured Koscheck
Chael Sonnen def. Nate Marquardt — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 — MW; Co-Main
Main Event — Light Heavyweight (First Fight Between Two UFC Hall of Famers)
Randy Couture def. Mark Coleman — Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) — LHW; fight 12 years after original UFC 17 booking
Bonuses & Awards
Performance bonuses were awarded at UFC 109. Randy Couture and Mark Coleman each received Fight Night bonuses for the historic main event.
Records & Milestones
First UFC fight between two Hall of Fame inductees — Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman; unique in UFC history.
Fight 12 years in the making — originally booked for UFC 17 (May 1998); cancelled Couture injury; delivered at UFC 109 (February 2010).
Phil Davis UFC debut — future LHW title contender (UFC 135 vs. Jones); began career at UFC 109.
Legacy & Impact
Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman at UFC 109 is one of MMA’s more poignant moments. Two pioneers of wrestling-based MMA — both Hall of Famers from the sport’s formative era — delivering a fight that was denied to them in 1998. The result was secondary to the narrative.
Chael Sonnen's win over Marquardt at UFC 109 was the final step before his famous near-miss at UFC 117. He dominated four and a half rounds of his Anderson Silva title fight before being submitted in round five — one of the great MMA near-upsets.
FAQ
Why was the UFC 109 main event historically significant?
It was the first UFC fight between two UFC Hall of Fame inductees. Both Randy Couture and Mark Coleman were already in the Hall of Fame when they competed at UFC 109.
When was Couture vs Coleman originally booked?
UFC 17 in May 1998. Couture suffered an injury and the fight was cancelled. It was finally delivered at UFC 109 in February 2010, nearly 12 years later.
What happened to Chael Sonnen after his UFC 109 win?
Sonnen's win over Marquardt earned him a UFC Middleweight Championship fight against Anderson Silva at UFC 117 in August 2010. He dominated four rounds before being submitted by a triangle armbar in round five.
Did Rolles Gracie win his UFC debut?
No. Rolles Gracie, nephew of Royce Gracie, lost his UFC debut to Joey Beltran by decision at UFC 109.
Who made their UFC debut at UFC 109?
Phil Davis (defeated Brian Stann by decision; future LHW title contender) and Rolles Gracie (lost to Joey Beltran).