UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman survived a near-death experience from smoke inhalation while saving his parents from a house fire, and is now alert, responsive, and breathing on his own.
Mark Coleman’s gonna pull through. This UFC Hall of Famer and ex-heavyweight champ, he’s a survivor. He gave us a shout-out via his kid Kenzie’s Facebook on Friday.
Why?
Well, he’s just lived through a real-life nightmare. Saved his folks from a house fire. Nearly didn’t make it, though.
Breathed in a ton of smoke, damaged his lungs. They had to put him under, stick a tube down his throat. Tuesday morning, things were looking grim. But this 59-year-old MMA trailblazer, he’s a fighter. By Thursday, he was awake, responsive, and breathing without help.
Want to hear from the man himself? Coleman’s full message is below.
“Mark the Hammer Coleman here. First off, I gotta thank my higher power. Without him, none of this would be possible. And you guys, each and every one of you, for your prayers, support, and generosity. I always knew I had the best fans around. What you’ve done for me and my family, it’s just…remarkable.
And the doctors, nurses, hospital staff who saved my life, I can’t thank you enough. Can’t wait to bring you all along on my recovery journey. You’re all part of the Hammer House now.
I’m blessed, grateful that my parents and I made it out alive. I encourage you all to live your lives, better yourselves, cherish every moment. Tomorrow ain’t promised.
And…this part’s hard…but rest in peace to my special dog, Hammer. If you’ve been following me, you know he was my sidekick, my best friend. We were inseparable, and I’m gonna miss him so much.
As always…sober is cool, carnivore diet, 9 ancestral tenets. Hammer House is for life. Are you in? Don’t ever count the Hammer out. Love you all.”
Coleman’s dog, Hammer, woke him up early Tuesday morning. His parents’ house was on fire. Coleman got both his parents out, but he went back in for Hammer. That’s when the smoke got him. They had to airlift him out of there.
Sadly, Hammer didn’t make it.
Coleman’s daughters, Kenzie and Morgan, they’ve started a GoFundMe to help with medical costs. So far, they’ve raised over $111,000 for their dad.