UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman is on the mend after saving his parents from a house fire in Ohio last week.
Coleman has been released from the hospital and posted a video on Instagram on Monday, indicating that he is still recovering but is thankful to have survived.
“God is great 👊❤️🙏I am healing up very well,” Coleman wrote in the caption.
“My lungs are sore. My eyes are burnt but I’m very much alive and well. I feel so blessed it’s in my higher powers hands. He wants me to move forward today and I am.
“I’m overwhelmed by the love and support that I have received, if I had a wish it would be that I could meet each and every one of you to give you a big hug and thank you in person. Everybody check in on your loved ones life is good life is what you make it. Everything starts with a thought keep the negative thoughts out of your head, love you all so much.”
In the video, Coleman counted his blessings.
“I’m one of the luckiest men in the world,” he said.
“I can’t thank you enough. I’m just grateful. I’ll continue to motivate people to move forward and be a better version of themselves. You never know when you’re gonna need it, so let’s go. Let’s start today. Tomorrow’s not promised. Get moving!”
Fire crews were called to the home in Fremont, Ohio early in the morning last Tuesday.
The blaze, which started in the kitchen of Coleman’s childhood home, claimed the life of his dog, Hammer, and rendered the home a “total loss.”
Coleman’s daughter, Morgan, wrote last week that her father was “battling for his life” after he rescued his parents.
A GoFundMe set up to help Coleman has surpassed its original goal of $100,000.
Coleman became the UFC’s first heavyweight champion in 1997 when he defeated Dan Severn via neck crank submission.
