With 2007 bring a glorious year for MMA development, 2008 started with the right foot for the sport. With the high demand for products, services and information about this sport that is breaking audience records from north to south at , it was created the first Mixed Martial Arts fair of the sport, the NAMAE - North American Mixed Martial Arts Expo. The event was a big sucess, even being the first one dedicated only to the sport. The fans had the opportunity to get closer to their idols, take pictures and get some autographs. Some fighters showed their new labels and sold their own products directly to the public, and some less known athletes had the chance to get new sponsors to guarantee a better future. At the event halls, we bumped into Randy Couture, Tito Ortiz, Dan Henderson, Rampage Jackson, Sean Shark, Thierry Sokodjou, Eddie Bravo, Don Frye, Allan Góes, Marco Ruas, Kendall Grove, Shonie Carter, Jon Koppenhaver, Mark Coleman and others. Mark Coleman, in fact, spoke to our reporter in , Cristiane Ripari, and told us about his waiting from the future of the sport.

Which are your plans for the future, after Pride’s closing?

My life got a little confusing after that UFC bought Pride. I thought that I would go right to UFC, but it didn’t happen. It’s their decision. So I’ll have to win my back to UFC again. Definitely I’ll fight with somebody… I intend to fight in February or March so that they offer me a better proposal.

Have you contacted UFC or was contacted from them?

I believe that they’re making it difficult for more experienced fighters. But I have a lot of contacts with other organizations. I only have to decide which one is better for me.

Do you know something about the M-1?

It’s a new business, they’re only ate the beginning. I’ll check if they have any interest in me. I hope the best for them.

What have you being doing?

I’m living at Columbus, Ohio . That’s where my daughters live. I’m training with local fighters. But where my fight gets closer, I’ll move to somewhere else to train with other people and stay away from distractions.

Is there anyone that you wanna fight?

I’ll fight with who my fans want.

Which was the hardest and the best fight of your career?

I believe that Fedor was the toughest opponent. Nogueira is very good too. I had to say that, because I’m being interviewed by a Brazilian magazine (laughs). I had a lot of tough fights. My favorite was probably against Igor Vovchanchyn at Grand Prix finals, or maybe when I won the UFC against Dan Severn. The fight wasn’t one of the bests, but I won the first heavyweight title at UFC and that was very important for me.

What’s your opinion about this boom at MMA?

It’s very exciting. Sincerely, I didn’t expected that it would attract so many people. But I’m glad that exploded this way and that’s good for everybody, including for me. I try to keep me healthy to come back soon to the octagon or ring!