Former UFC champ Mark Coleman responsive in hospital after saving parents from burning building
Instagram/markcolemanufc/X/JESnowdenFormer UFC Heavyweight Champion Mark Coleman is awake in the hospital after heroically running into a burning house to save both of his parents and trying to rescue his dog who alerted him to the fire.
It’s no secret that UFC fighters are as tough as they come, but Mark Coleman is a different breed. The MMA legend had to be hospitalized for smoke inhalation after saving his family.
The 59-year-old had to reportedly be airlifted to a hospital after his childhood house caught on fire early Tuesday morning. After saving his mom and dad, Coleman went back in a third time to save his dog. The effort proved costly.
MMA Fighting reports that seven different fire departments arrived on the scene shortly afterwards, but the cause of the inferno has not been revealed just yet.
UFC community praises Mark Coleman’s heroics
On March 14, after two days in the hospital, Coleman woke up surrounded by his family, proclaiming that he was the “happiest man in the world.”
Coleman broke down in tears recounting the fire and how he was unable to find his dog, Hammer, but couldn’t believe his parents survived.
Fellow former UFC fighter and Coleman’s friend, Wes Sims, shared an update on the hero in a Facebook post.
“I know Mark if he could talk he’d say, ‘Film this shit Wes, we are going viral!’” he exclaimed. “Mark’s parent’s house burnt down last night. Mark saved both [his parents] and went back for Hammer, his dog. He was life-flighted to Toledo and is currently intubated and sedated.”
“I swear to GOD – he’s one of the toughest individuals ever created, been through so much a movie at this point could not give his life work justice!”
Photos of the horrific blaze were uploaded to social media by MMA writer Jonathan Snowden, who revealed that Coleman was tragically unable to save his dog and Hammer didn’t make it.
Nonetheless, fans across social media echoed Sims’ and Snowden’s sentiments, reiterating how heroic Coleman’s actions were in the face of danger.
“Holy what an absolute chad. Hope he pulls through,” one wrote.
“What a hero. I respected him before cause he was a good fighter, but to go back INTO a fire to rescue a dog? Hero,” another said.
Coleman’s daughters launch GoFundMe for hero dad
On March 13, Coleman’s daughters created a fundraiser for their father, whose side they refuse to leave, and revealed more details about the incident.
Gofundme“Mark was awoken at 4 AM by his beloved Rotti ‘Lil Hammer’ to a house fire in his childhood home, where he was visiting his parents,” they explained. “Mark, being the hero he is, and the fierce love he has for his family, managed to get his elderly parents out of the home unharmed. He went back in, risking his life to save his dog.”
All funds donated will go to Mark’s living expenses and support his adult daughters as they’re off work during this time. So far, nearly $70,000 has been raised for the UFC legend.