UFC Fighter Mark Coleman Hospitalized After Heroic Rescue from House Fire
Apr
The 59-year-old UFC champion, Mark Coleman, finds himself in the hospital after courageously saving his parents from a house fire in Toledo, Ohio, as confirmed by his daughters Morgan and Kenzie via Instagram.
Trapped in the burning house were Mark’s parents, Dan and Connie Foos Coleman. Without hesitation, Mark rushed into the inferno to ensure their safety. Despite his valiant efforts, Mark’s dog, Hammer, tragically did not survive, according to authorities.
Kenzie, Mark’s daughter, revealed on her Instagram Stories that their dog played a pivotal role in alerting Mark to the danger, barking until he woke up.
The situation intensified when the roof collapsed after firefighters arrived, leading to Mark’s airlift to a local hospital, as separately confirmed by his daughters and friend, Wes Sims, on social media.
In a Facebook post, Sims mentioned that Mark is currently intubated and sedated, opting to wait for Mark’s recovery before sharing further updates. “No one can tell a Mark Coleman story like Mark Coleman! Please keep him in your prayers! 🙏 Thank you! 🙏,” Sims urged.
Morgan, Mark’s other daughter, provided additional insight on Instagram, recounting how Mark managed to rescue both his parents from the flames but was unable to save their beloved pet, Hammer. She shared a heartfelt plea for prayers and support during this challenging time.
Kenzie echoed her sister’s sentiments on her Instagram Stories, expressing her deep love and concern for her father’s well-being.
Mark Coleman, revered as the “Godfather of ground-and-pound” in the UFC, began his illustrious MMA career in 1996. Over the years, he achieved heavyweight champion status at UFC 10 and UFC 11, eventually earning induction into the organization’s Hall of Fame in 2008. Despite retiring from MMA in 2013, Mark faced health challenges, including a heart attack in 2020, as reported by ESPN and MMA Fighting Newswire.
As of now, representatives from the Toledo Fire Department and Ballville Volunteer Fire Department have not provided further details upon request by PEOPLE.
