RASHAD COULTER is the ex-UFC and Bellator heavyweight who crossed over to boxing on a mission to revive his career.
Coulter faces cruiserweight replacement Hasim Rahman Jr on Saturday on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s comeback against Roy Jones Jr.
Rashad Coulter is the ex-UFC and Bellator heavyweight who crossed over to boxingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Coulter in training camp ahead of his fight on Mike Tyson’s undercard Credit: Twitter / @rashad_coulter
Before his fighting career, he played American Football for 17 years.
But in 2010 his good friend Muhammed Lawal – known as ‘King Mo’ – introduced Coulter to Muay Thai.
Within a year of training he made his MMA debut, winning by knockout.
After five fights on the local circuit in Texas, Coulter was given his first big break with a stoppage win against Jeremiah O’Neal under the Bellator banner.
It didn’t go unnoticed, as three victories and two years later the heavy-hitter was signed by the UFC.
But he suffered a disastrous start in MMA’s elite, losing three on the spin, all by knockout.
His fourth and final fight for the UFC did see him successful outpointing Hu Yaozong in a light-heavyweight fight, which he missed weight for.
Coulter had four fights in the UFC but only one once Credit: Getty Images – Getty
The American’s last MMA fight was in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty
It spelled the end of the road for his time in the octagon, but the 38-year-old had one more MMA bout, losing to Isaac Villanueva last year.
Despite his up and down career in the cage, Coulter is unbeaten in his four boxing matches.
He made his debut in the ring six years ago, winning on the cards, but has since stopped his other three opponents.
Coulter was due to face Viddal Riley, also unbeaten in four bouts, this weekend but the 23-year-old Londoner has pulled out injured.
Instead, he will fight Rahman Jr, who is 9-0 and the son of Hasim Sr, the man who knocked out Lennox Lewis in 2001.
Coulter grew up watching his next opponent’s dad, and will now share the ring with his son.
He said to MMA Island: “I’m blessed to still be on the card.
“Hasim is a skilled dude who has grown up around boxing, so it’s a new opponent but the same plan.
Coulter was meant to fight Viddal Riley Credit: Twitter / @rashad_coulter
YouTuber Jake Paul pictured with Coulter’s new opponent Hasim Rahman Jr Credit: https://twitter.com/_HasimRahmanJr/status/1314032111276290049
Rahman Sr famously knocked out Lennox Lewis Credit: Reuters
“I know he is southpaw and he switches but my job is to fight my fight and not let him dictate the pace.
“He is tough and has a good record, I have never ran from a fight and this will be great. I grew up watching his pops so this will be fun.
“But again this is strictly business.”
With the mass attention surrounding this weekend’s event, Coulter is looking to capitalise on the hype train and book a ticket back into the UFC.
He told BJ Penn.com: “For me, it opens up more boxing doors and in MMA, it could open up bigger MMA fights like me even going back to the UFC.
“It is a big platform for me.
“My heart is always in MMA, the UFC is a great promotion and I would love to be back in the UFC.
“There are several fights at 205 I want in the UFC. If I go finish Viddal, it will open more doors in MMA.”
Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr – Live stream, UK start time, date, undercard, and rules for massive boxing fight
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
