A heroic and harrowing story is breaking now out of the MMA world.
Mark Coleman, the first ever UFC heavyweight champion, was airlifted and remains hospitalized after rescuing his parents from a massive fire at his childhood home in Fremont, Ohio. The story was first brought to the public by Wes Sims, a friend of Coleman’s and fellow UFC alum, who posted the below statement on Facebook regarding the incident:
“Prayers for the legend Heavyweight champion that had the UFC smoking this man saved his parents from a burning home God bless the family of the Hall of Famer the hammer Mark Coleman.”
Local authorities haven’t made a statement about the fire aside from calling it a complete loss and saying that it started in the kitchen.
Photos of the scene show just how awful the blaze was.
This is what's left of the house Mark Coleman and his family were in last night.
Mark's dog Hammer woke him up to a house in flames. He saved both his parents and is fighting for his life. pic.twitter.com/hicYhv7SDm
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) March 12, 2024
According to Essentially Sports, Mark suffered from smoke inhalation. He first brought his father out of the house and then went back in for his mother, who suffered some minor injuries and had her hair burned off. He went in a third time to get his dog, but sadly Hammer passed away in the fire.
As tightknit communities do when tragedy strikes, the MMA world is rallying around Coleman, who’s viewed as a trailblazing icon of the sport.
Please pray for Mark Coleman, if you can.
A pioneer, inspiration, founding father and just a sweetheart of a man.
You got this, @Markcolemanmma 🙏
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 12, 2024
Prayers for MMA legend Mark Coleman 🙏🏾
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 12, 2024
Sending our thoughts and prayers to Buckeye Wrestling legend Mark Coleman and his family❤️ #GoBucks
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) March 12, 2024
Thoughts and prayers to Mark Coleman
Warrior. (@MMAFighting) pic.twitter.com/LPcLnhCP6Z
— Anik & Florian Podcast (@AnikFlorianPod) March 12, 2024
What a hero Mark Coleman is 💙 https://t.co/9FC6da6Ptz
— Brian Moore (@brianmooremma) March 12, 2024
Best of luck to Mark Coleman. Oh my god this is horrible. Such a tragic story, after basically saving both of his parents lives. https://t.co/JahHGXKBPd
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) March 12, 2024
Wishing nothing but the best for Mark Coleman. The man was a savage of a savage in the cage but a gentleman outside of it and the sport may have never gotten off the ground if it weren’t for him.
Stay strong, Hammer.
Sending prayers to The Godfather of Ground & Pound, the 1st UFC Heavyweight Champion in history, Mark Coleman🙏🏽
He was in a severe house fire last night where he saved his parents and had to be airlifted to a hospital due to smoke inhalation🙏🏽
HammerHouse4Life pic.twitter.com/7JAyvlc5wP
— DJ MurkCity (@myrksitymma) March 12, 2024
Here’s some highlights from his Pride days… the man was truly a beast.
