Incredible news out of the MMA world today.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Mark Coleman, the first ever UFC heavyweight champion, was in critical condition. Coleman had rushed into a fire that had engulfed his childhood home to save his parents, who were still inside the Fremont, Ohio home as the flames intensified.
Mark was able to save his parents Dan and Connie, and went back into the home to rescue his dog Hammer. Unfortunately, the pet did not survive the fire, and the former UFC champion almost didn’t either. After he was able to safely remove his parents, he further risked his life to try and save the dog, and it was then when he really pushed his body’s limits, ultimately suffering from smoke inhalation.
The house was deemed a “total loss” by the Fire Department that responded, as you can see below, but because of Mark Coleman’s heroics, his parents survived the devastating tragedy. His sacrifice though did come at a cost, as he had to be airlifted to a Toledo hospital, where he was assessed and categorized as needing critical care.
Prayers and positive messages came pouring in from the MMA world as Coleman was intubated and sedated. As always with someone in critical condition, it was going to take one hell of a fight for him to make it… and it’s a good thing he’s one of the best fighters in the world.
Today, it was announced that Mark Coleman was “alert, awake, and responsive,” and that report was verified by this emotional video below. You can hear the former UFC champ crying tears of joy as he embraced his family and exclaimed his gratefulness and gratitude:
“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 because I got out of my room and went to their door and it was already horrible.
I couldn’t breathe. I almost had to go outside. I can’t believe it.”
Once a fighter, always a fighter. Coleman still has some recovery to go, but seeing him awake and speaking is a blessing that many weren’t sure would be possible. The man was always hard to take down back in his hey day, and this miraculous update proves that he’s still one of the toughest beings on planet Earth.
RIP Hammer.
