UFC Legend Who Saved Parents Life From House Fire Meets Shaquille O’Neal, Donald Trump to Warn About Alcohol Addiction

While the MMA world was buzzing with anticipation for UFC 300 last year, Mark Coleman was in the fight of his life. On March 12, 2024, the former UFC champion heroically rescued his parents from a raging house fire in Fremont, Ohio. Though he saved them from the blaze, Coleman paid a steep price. He fell into a medically induced coma for months as doctors fought to save him. One year later, he stands not just as a UFC legend but as a true hero—grateful, full of love, and once again capturing hearts with his resilience and compassion.

Since the fire incident, Mark Coleman has become a hero in the UFC community, with people lining up to meet the first-ever UFC heavyweight champion. In his most recent escapade, the former UFC champion took to his Instagram handle to upload several pictures of him with prominent faces, such as Shaquille O’Neal, Nina Marie Danielle, Michael Chandler, Alexandre Pantoja, Donald Trump, and many more at UFC 314 in Miami.

He captioned the series of posts with a humbling message for all of the people who want to be sober in life, “Wow what a weekend. Some highlights from UFC Miami. I’m truly blessed and grateful for the life i live. I promise if you set your goals high you can achieve anything. I love this sport. Greatest sport in the world @ufc thank you. I love meeting you all none of this would be possible if i didn’t get sober. Sober is cool Hammer house 4 life”

Mark Coleman was a pioneer when it came to ground-and-pound. Being the UFC’s first heavyweight champion, Coleman was one of the OGs in the promotion. However, his life took a dark turn when he suffered a career-ending hip injury. The painkillers came in fast in his life, followed by a brutal descent into alcohol. Depression, anxiety, and darkness surrounded ‘The Hammer’. But he wasn’t built to break. In his own words, the abyss of addiction was much more terrifying than the heat of the Octagon. He said, “Two years three months ago I was almost dead very close.”

As the abyss was slowly engulfing the former UFC champion in his clutches fellow brawler and Coleman’s best friend Wes Sims came forward as a helping hand for him, “My best friend Wes Sims, convinced me to check in to the hospital to detox and then I committed to a rehabilitation center in Columbus, Ohio Seacrest recovery center. It was the best decision choice I have ever made,” said Coleman. Since his rehabilitation program, ‘The Hammer’ has been clean for years now and is living the best life. Now, what about his health? Is the former UFC champion ‘All Good’? Well, let’s have a look at it.

Mark Coleman shares about his minor chest pain

Back in February this year, the former UFC heavyweight champion took to his Instagram handle to share a picture of himself on the hospital bed with a caption that read, “Been having some chest pains recently, it got worse today so I decided to get checked out. It’s in God‘s hands so everything‘s gonna be all right. I could use extra prayers. They always help. Have a great live life to its fullest tomorrow’s not promised.”

The fire incident last year took a serious toll on Mark Coleman, leaving him in a state where regular visits to the infirmary have become a necessity. To make matters worse, the former UFC legend revealed this past July that he might soon require emergency surgery due to a troubling infection: “Back in the hospital again. My hip is septically infected. They’re going to do emergency surgery today. But I’m on blood thinners.”

The fighter further emphasized, “So they’re going to have to wait until Monday. So I’m gonna hang out here for the weekend. All’s gonna be fine, sober’s cool. Carnivore diet, nine ancestral tenants. Hammer house for life, who’s in?” Such medical ailments at the age of 60 are nothing new, and Coleman has a history of such stints as well. Back in 2020, Coleman had to be admitted to the hospital as he complained about a sudden sting in his chest and arm.

The doctors revealed that the fighter was suffering from a minor stroke, which had no life-threatening impact on his health. However, it could prove fatal in the future if he doesn’t take care of himself. In addition to that, Coleman, in his past endeavors, also revealed that he had a blockage in his artery, which was later removed through surgery. Given that, what are your thoughts on the hubbub? State your opinion in the comments below.