UFC legend Mark Coleman recovering after saving parents from house fire

  • Ian Carey
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Mark Coleman says he’s “the happiest man in the world.” 

The 59-year-old has been hospitalized since saving his parents from a house fire early Tuesday morning in Fremont, Ohio. Coleman was visiting his parents when his dog, Hammer, woke him up around 4 a.m. alerting him to the fire. After getting his elderly parents to safety, Coleman reentered the burning building to rescue Hammer, who unfortunately did not survive. 

Coleman was airlifted to hospital where he was intubated and sedated as doctors worked to remove soot from his lungs. Reports from yesterday stated he was “somewhat conscious” and squeezed his daughter’s hand at one point. 

On Thursday, his Facebook page posted a video of an awake and alert Coleman talking about his ordeal. 

Coleman said:

I’m the happiest man in the world. I swear to God I’m so lucky. I can’t believe my parents are alive. 

I had to make a decision, ’cause 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 it. I got them but I couldn’t find Hammer. 

The video is captioned with:

Update: this is Kenzie. God is good. Miracles do happen. Our dad is breathing on his own. We want to thank you all for the love and support from the bottom of our hearts

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the Coleman family with expenses related to the fire. 

The GoFundMe page reads:

Mark was life flighted to a hospital where he is needing lots of prayer to get his lungs clear. His adult daughters, McKenzie and Morgan have not, and will not leave their Dads side as he battles for his life. We all knew he was one of the best athletes, now we know he is a true Hero.

All funds donated will go directly to Mark’s living expenses as well as support to his adult daughters who will be off work and by his side aiding in his recovery as well as assisting in any necessities the Coleman family needs. 

Firefighters said the roof of the home collapsed shortly after they arrived on the scene.