Cortez Coleman

Cortez Coleman (born January 28, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2008, Coleman has also competed for Strikeforce and King of the Cage.

Background

Born and raised in the small town of Hugo, Oklahoma, Coleman was raised along with four brothers and a sister by a single mother. Coleman began competing in football from an early age and continued with the sport through high school. Coleman, who had often gotten into street fights growing up, later began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu before later transitioning into mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Coleman began his MMA career in November 2008. Coleman won his first five bouts before losing to future Bellator Welterweight Champion Douglas Lima on March 26, 2010. Coleman would win his next fight via TKO against Cody Donovan on August 7, 2010.

Strikeforce

On December 4, 2010, Coleman faced Lucas Lopes at Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II. Coleman won via submission in the first round.

Post-Strikeforce

Following his Strikeforce debut, Coleman was defeated by Matt Masterson on April 9, 2011 via submission (rear-[...] choke) at BUCB: Stars and Stripes.

King of the Cage

Coleman would then have two fights in the King of the Cage organization, losing to Terrell Thomas at KOTC: Total Destruction and defeating Brandon Lyons at KOTC: Bad Intentions 2.

The Ultimate Fighter

Coleman appeared as one of the contestants on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson season as a Welterweight. Coleman lost the fight to get into the house.

Bellator MMA

Coleman made his Bellator debut on January 24, 2013 against Matt Jones at Bellator 86. He won via unanimous decision.

Coleman then faced Keith Berry at Bellator 96 on June 19, 2013. Coleman lost a split decision.

Coleman faced JOnAS Billstein on November 8, 2013 at Bellator 107. Coleman lost via unanimous decision.

On March 7, 2014, Coleman defeated Daniel Miller via submission due to strikes at Bellator 111.

Coleman faced Joe Vedepo on June 6, 2014 at Bellator 121. Coleman lost via majority decision.

Coleman faced Will Florentino at Bellator 128 on October 10, 2014. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Personal life

Coleman has children.

Mixed martial arts record

|- |Win |align=center|11–6 |Will Florentino |Decision (unanimous) |Bellator 128 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|10–6 |Joe Vedepo |Decision (majority) |Bellator 121 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Win |align=center|10–5 |Daniel Miller |Submission (punches) |Bellator 111 | |align=center|2 |align=center|4:49 |Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|9–5 |Jonas Billstein |Decision (unanimous) |Bellator 107 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|9–4 |Keith Berry |Decision (split) |Bellator 96 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Win |align=center|9–3 |Matt Jones |Decision (unanimous) |Bellator 86 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Win |align=center|8–3 |Brandon Lyons |Submission (guillotine choke) |KOTC: Bad Intentions 2 | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:17 |Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|7–3 |Terrell Thomas |Submission (rear-[...] choke) |KOTC: Total Destruction | |align=center|2 |align=center|4:07 |Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|7–2 |Matt Masterson |Submission (rear-[...] choke) |BUCB: Stars and Stripes | |align=center|2 |align=center|2:06 |Parma, Ohio, United States | |- |Win |align=center|7–1 |Lucas Lopes |Submission (guillotine choke) |Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:04 |St. Louis, Missouri, United States | |- |Win |align=center|6–1 |Cody Donovan |TKO (doctor stoppage) |C3 Fights: Slammin Jammin Weekend 5 | |align=center|1 |align=center|N/A |Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|5–1 |Douglas Lima |Decision (split) |SportFight X 1: Beatdown | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |- |Win |align=center|5–0 |George Lockhart |Decision (unanimous) |Sin City Fight Club: Redline Grand Prix Round 2 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |- |Win |align=center|4–0 |George Allen |Decision (unanimous) |Sin City Fight Club: Redline Grand Prix Opening Round | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |- |Win |align=center|3–0 |Johnny Buck |TKO (punches) |TTP: Battle at The Bend 4 | |align=center|2 |align=center|1:10 |Bethalto, Illinois, United States | |- |Win |align=center|2–0 |Cory Hill |TKO (punches) |5150 Combat League: Rumble at the Rally | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:58 |Sparks, Oklahoma, United States | |- |Win |align=center|1–0 |Shane Eisman |Submission (guillotine choke) |Arkansas MMA: Ultimate Fight Night 6 | |align=center|1 |align=center|0:16 |Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States |