Former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Coleman is the “happiest man in the world” this week after heroically saving his parents from a house fire.
In a tearjerking video shared on X (formerly Twitter), the 59-year old can be heard saying “I’m the happiest man in the world,” as he embraces his daughters following the harrowing experience.
BREAKING: UFC champ Mark Coleman wakes up in tears while embracing his daughters after successfully saving his parents from a house fire.
Amazing!!
“I’m the happiest man in the world,” Coleman said.
Coleman was airlifted to the hospital after carrying his parents out of… pic.twitter.com/pA9wo5Kzzm
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 14, 2024
While visiting his parents at his childhood home in Fremont, Ohio, Coleman’s dog reportedly alerted a sleeping Coleman of the house fire overnight Thursday. The mixed-martial artist is said to have escaped the burning house, only to run back in three more times to save his parents and his dog.
While Coleman’s dog, Hammer, unfortunately did not survive the blaze, Coleman and his parents did.
Coleman was sedated and intubated after suffering from smoke inhalation. He was airlifted to the hospital after carrying his parents out of their burning home.
Upon arriving at the scene, a responding deputy noticed that Coleman was “not in good shape,” according to the report. His face and hands were covered in black soot and he was “coughing and having trouble breathing,” the report stated. EMS took him to an ambulance, the report stated.
Coleman shared a photo on social media Friday of him giving a thumbs-up from his hospital bed.
“I want to first thank my higher power above,” Coleman said in the Instagram post, adding that “without him, this isn’t possible.”
“Next I want to thank each and every one of you for the prayers, support, and generosity. I always knew I had the best fans around,” the post continued. “What you have done for me and my family is truly remarkable.”
The family’s GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $121,000.
“We are a faithful family and know God works miracles,” his daughters wrote on the fundraising page. “Please keep praying with us that our hero has complete healing.”
Coleman also thanked the doctors, nurses and hospital staff “who saved my life,” adding, “I’m blessed and grateful my parents and I are walking out of this alive.”
According to an incident report, the fire is believed to have started in the kitchen, where Coleman’s mother accidentally left the stove on.
The house is a complete loss, but all three of the Coleman’s are walking, talking miracles, thanks to his heroic efforts.
After being released from St. Vincent’s hospital in Toledo, Ohio Saturday, Coleman’s daughters rushed him back only an hour later when he started having numbness in his arms and chest pain.
According to an update on Instagram from Coleman’s daughter, Doctors confirmed he had developed pneumonia and his since been readmitted to the hospital.
Coleman, aka “The Hammer,” was the UFC heavyweight champion in 1997. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2008.
Prior to his UFC career, he was an NCAA wrestling champion at Ohio State and competed in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics on the U.S. wrestling team.
