In a heartwarming turn of events, former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Coleman has emerged as a survivor after a devastating house fire in Fremont, Ohio. Despite losing his beloved dog "Hammer," the MMA legend managed to rescue his parents from the blaze and is now recovering in a Toledo hospital.

Coleman, 59, was airlifted to the hospital and initially required sedation and intubation due to severe smoke inhalation. Over the past two days, the medical staff diligently worked to clear his lungs, and the fighter is now awake, alert, and able to communicate with his loved ones.

In a touching video that surfaced on Thursday, Coleman is seen embracing his daughters, Morgan and Kenzie, as he recounts the harrowing experience. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he exclaims, "I'm the happiest man in the world. Sweet God, I'm so lucky. I can't believe my parents are alive."

Coleman bravely describes the difficult decision he faced when confronted with the fiery onslaught. Despite struggling to breathe, he made the conscious choice to re-enter the house and rescue his parents. Regrettably, he was unable to locate his cherished pet, Hammer.

Mark Coleman's inspiring recovery and reunion with his family have sparked an outpouring of support from the MMA community and beyond. His daughters set up a GoFundMe campaign to help alleviate the medical expenses associated with his treatment.

Teammate and close friend Wes Sims has been providing regular updates from the hospital on Facebook, keeping fans informed of Coleman's progress. Sims' guidance played a crucial role in Coleman's decision to seek treatment for alcoholism in 2021, following a heart attack the previous year. Since then, Coleman has dedicated himself to promoting sobriety and healthy living in his uplifting social media posts.

Known as "The Godfather of Ground-and-Pound," Coleman solidified his legacy in the UFC and PRIDE organizations. He became the inaugural UFC heavyweight champion and triumphed in the PRIDE grand prix. Notably, Coleman's accomplishments earned him a well-deserved induction into both the pioneer and fight wings of the UFC Hall of Fame.

As Mark Coleman continues his recovery, the MMA community stands united in admiration for his resilience and the unwavering love of family that guided his heroic actions.