Former UFC Hall of Famer and champion Mark Coleman, 59, was airlifted to a hospital in Ohio after saving his parents from a house fire this week. His daughter, Morgan Coleman, shared on Instagram that her father bravely entered the burning house multiple times to rescue his mother and father.
Morgan Coleman expressed that her father is currently 'battling for his life' following the heroic rescue. She described him as their family's hero and praised his strength and bravery. Coleman's mother, Connie, also took to Facebook to express gratitude for being alive and requested prayers for Mark.
Photos shared by a UFC writer revealed the extensive damage caused by the fire to the family's home in Fremont, Ohio. Mark Coleman, a former amateur wrestler who transitioned to MMA, became the UFC's first heavyweight champion in 1997 by defeating Dan Severn. Over his 14-year career, he won 16 out of 26 fights and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2008.
In addition to his athletic achievements, Coleman won an NCAA title at Ohio State in 1988 and competed in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Morgan Coleman recounted how her father, after rescuing his parents, attempted to save their dog, Hammer, from the fire. Unfortunately, Hammer did not survive despite Mark's efforts.
Another of Coleman's daughters, Kenzie, shared on Instagram that Hammer's barking alerted her father to the fire, potentially saving lives. To support Mark Coleman's recovery, Morgan has set up a fundraising page on gofundme.com, featuring a photo of him in a hospital bed surrounded by medical equipment. The campaign has already raised several thousand dollars towards its $50,000 goal.
Our thoughts are with Mark Coleman and his family during this challenging time.
Source: AP sports
