UFC legend hospitalized after saving parents in Ohio house fire: Report
(WKBN) – A UFC Hall of Famer is fighting for his life after saving his parents in an Ohio house fire Tuesday morning.
According to ESPN, Mark Coleman was airlifted to a hospital after suffering smoke inhalation. The 59-year-old pulled his mother and father from a house fire in Toledo.
Coleman's daughter Morgan said in a statement on social media that her father was not, however, able to save Hammer, their family dog.
"As many know, our dad was involved in a house fire early this morning along with his parents and beloved dog, hammer. He managed to carry both of his parents out of the house but despite his best efforts was not able to save hammer," Morgan Coleman wrote. "He was life-flighted to the hospital where he is currently battling for his life after this heroic act."
She continued by praising her father and expressing sorrow over the loss of their dog.
"Our father has always been our hero and means the world to us. He is and always will be a fighter. The strongest [and] bravest man I know. Please continue to pray for him and our family during this extremely difficult time. We will miss our sweet hammer so deeply," she wrote. "Thank you for all the love and support. Hammer house for life."
Coleman has had a decorated amateur wrestling and UFC career. He won the NCAA Division I title for Ohio State in 1988, and he represented the U.S. in the Olympics four years later.
The Fremont, Ohio, native became the first-ever UFC heavyweight champion in 1997. He finished his UFC career with a record of 16-10-0. Coleman was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2008.