Former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Coleman nearly died after a fire broke out in his home around 4 am on Tuesday. While the former UFC champion was able to save both his parents from the building, he collapsed from smoke inhalation when he went back for his beloved dog, ‘Hammer’, who, with his barking had been the first to alert Coleman that something was wrong.

After carrying both of his parents, one at a time, out of his burning house, he went back for his beloved dog, who unfortunately, passed away on the spot. Coleman was airlifted to a hospital immediately due to the severity of his smoke inhalation and there were real fears around whether or not he will survive.

Fortunately, he has now gained consciousness and sent a message to fans on his social media accounts. The 59-year-old expressed his heartfelt gratitude that his parents were alive and called himself “the happiest man in the world” in a message he wrote through his daughter on his Instagram account.

“I’m blessed and grateful my parents and I are walking out of this alive. I encourage you to do the things you want to do, better yourself, and cherish every moment. Tomorrow is not promised,” he wrote in a post on today. While there is still a long way to go before Coleman can make a full recovery, he is out of danger, which must have come as welcome news to everyone in the MMA world, who commended one of the pioneers of the sport.

MMA world lauds Mark Coleman’s bravery

Mark Coleman was on ventilator for a couple of days, but pulled through in another display of his warrior heart that made him such a good fighter. Among the pioneers of the sport of MMA, Coleman became the first UFC heavyweight champion in 1997 and was the first to introduce hitting downed opponents with hammer-fists in the sport.

Of course, the MMA world went all out in their support after news of his heroics came out with almost everyone from Charles Oliveira, Miesha Tate to Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen commending his courage and praying for a quick recovery.

And even though there is no longer any of Coleman dying from the smoke inhalation, it may worsen his health issues. ‘Hammer’, who, like almost all former fighters, deals with a bevy of health issues may see his quality of life be further diminished as the long-term effects linked to smoke inhalation include increased risk of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. However, the MMA community hopes Coleman makes a full recovery and is shielded from any nefarious long-term effects from the incident.

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