The UFC’s first-ever heavyweight champion, Mark Coleman, is responsive after saving his parents from a house fire on Tuesday morning.
According to a report from WTOL 11, Coleman was woken up by his dog — appropriately named Hammer — to find that his house was engulfed in flames. With the fire already out of control and spreading fast, Coleman bravely ran into his parents’ bedroom, carrying both of them out of the house. Coleman then ran back inside to try and save his dog. He suffered smoke inhalation and was airlifted to a local hospital where he was said to be in critical condition. Sadly, the dog died in the fire.
On Thursday, Coleman regained consciousness and recounted the horrifying incident while surrounded by members of his family.
“I’m the happiest man in the world,” Coleman said while holding onto his two daughters. “Sweet God, I’m so lucky. I can’t believe my parents are alive… I had to make a decision. Because I got out of my room and went to the door and it was already horrible. I couldn’t breathe. I almost had to go outside and I went back in and got them. I can’t believe I got them, but I couldn’t find Hammer.”
Great news to start the day.
Per his Facebook page, Mark Coleman is responsive, talking and laughing with his family.
Mark says "I'm the happiest man in the world!", as he recalls saving his parents lives.
(h/t @JMurrayMMA) pic.twitter.com/qgG9s2XKrt
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) March 14, 2024
GoFundMe Campaign For Mark Coleman Has More Than Doubled Its Original Goal
Coleman’s daughters, Morgan and Kenzie, established a GoFundMe campaign to help their father with living expenses and mounting medical bills. The pair offered an update, shortly after their father woke up.
“Wow! The power of prayer and overwhelming support means everything to us. Miracles do happen! Our Dad is breathing on his own. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and please keep praying for our Dad as he continues his recovery.”
As of this writing, the campaign has received 2,300+ donations totaling over $110,000 — more than double the original goal.
Mark Coleman is a two-time UFC Hall of Famer, being inducted into the Pioneer Wing in 2008 and then once again in 2016 for his iconic clash with Pete Williams at UFC 17.
Coleman won back-to-back tournaments at UFC 10 and UFC 11 before submitting Dan Severn to become the first-ever UFC heavyweight champion. Over the course of his career, he would square off with other legends of the sport such as Mirko Cro Cop, Fedor Emelianenko, Don Frye, Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, Stephan Bonnar, and Randy Couture.
