Mark Coleman is a hero.
On Tuesday, the former Ohio State wrestler and UFC legend was hospitalized after he rescued his parents from a fire in his childhood home near Toledo. Coleman, 59, was airlifted from the scene after he inhaled large amounts of smoke in his rescue efforts.
Former UFC champion Mark Coleman ran into a burning house and saved both his parents, then went back in for their dog but passed out in the fire
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) March 12, 2024
He is now in critical condition at the hospital pic.twitter.com/BVjC0OHOQ5
UFC fighter Matt Brown, who trains with Coleman, provided a positive update on Coleman’s status Wednesday night, tweeting that Coleman “is responsive and aware.”
Word is @Markcolemanmma is responsive and aware. Things are looking up for the big guy! Nothing can stop this savage not even a fire!
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) March 14, 2024
According to a Facebook post on Tuesday from Coleman's friend and fellow retired UFC fighter, Wes Sims, Coleman pulled both his mother and father from the home and entered the property a third time to save his dog, Hammer. Soon after he made his third exit, members of seven different fire departments responded to the scene and collaborated to treat the family. They also broke the exterior wall of the kitchen, where the fire is believed to have started.
Sims wrote that Coleman was intubated and sedated in the hospital.
The house was deemed to be a “total loss” after the fire.
This is what's left of the house Mark Coleman and his family were in last night.
Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) March 12, 2024
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
Coleman’s daughters, McKenzie and Morgan, launched a GoFundMe on Wednesday to raise funds for the family’s expenses. They wrote that Coleman’s dog did not survive the fire and that their father “was life flighted to a hospital where he is needing lots of prayer to get his lungs clear.”
Tragedy struck in the early morning hours of Tuesday March 12th where Mark was awoken at 4 am by his beloved Rotti "lil hammer" to a house fire in his childhood home, where he was visiting his parents. Mark, being the hero he is, and the fierce love he has for his family managed to get his elderly parents out of the home unharmed. He went back in risking his life to save his dog.
It is with great sadness that our beloved "hammy" "ham" " lil hammer" did not survive the fire, and the home is a total loss.
Lil hammer is a true Hero, and will be truly missed.
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.
Fellow former Ohio State wrestler Mike DiSabato told MMA reporter Josh Gross on Wednesday that doctors removed as much soot as possible from Coleman’s lungs on Tuesday and that they planned to conduct the same procedure on Wednesday.
Just want to clarify that Mike DiSabato does not actively represent Coleman as a manager. He has done some work for him in the past. But Mike is an old friend of Mark's and a fellow Ohio State wrestler.
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) March 13, 2024
"Mark is still not out of the woods," DiSabato told me.
Inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2008, Coleman is considered one of the greatest heavyweight fighters in the history of the sport. He first became a heavyweight title winner at UFC 10 and then repeated as champion at UFC 11. Coleman also found success in the Pride Fighting Championships, becoming a Grand Prix Champion in his seven-year career.
A Fremont, Ohio, native, Coleman wrestled for St. Joseph Central Catholic High School and won a state championship in 1983. He continued to wrestle for Miami (Ohio) University and became a two-time MAC champion, earning All-American honors in 1986. Before his senior year, Coleman transferred to Ohio State, where he won an NCAA championship in 1988.
Ohio State wrestling's X account posted its support for Coleman after the program learned of his heroic efforts on Tuesday.
Sending our thoughts and prayers to Buckeye Wrestling legend Mark Coleman and his family #GoBucks
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) March 12, 2024
