UFC legend and former Ohio State wrestler Mark Coleman is fighting for his life after a house fire.
The official Ohio State wrestling X/Twitter account asked for prayers to Coleman and those close to him on Tuesday.
“Sending our thoughts and prayers to Buckeye wrestling legend Mark Coleman and his family #GoBucks,” the account wrote.
Coleman, 59, was airlifted to a hospital in Ohio after suffering from smoke inhalation during a house fire in Toledo. The UFC Hall of Famer managed to save both of his parents in what his daughter Morgan dubbed a “heroic act.”
“As many know, our dad was involved in a house fire early this morning along with his parents and his beloved dog, Hammer,” Morgan wrote on Instagram. “He managed to carry both of his parents out of the house but despite his best efforts was not able to save Hammer. He was life-flighted to the hospital where is currently battling for his life after this heroic act.”
According to TMZ, Coleman was visiting his parents at his childhood home when his rottweiler Hammer woke him up as the fire started. He sprung into action, getting both of his parents out but was tragically unable to rescue Hammer when he ran back in to save him.
Coleman’s daughter has started a GoFundMe to help with her father’s care, and the campaign has already raised nearly half of its $50,000 goal.
Coleman, who was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2008, won a national championship as a wrestler at Ohio State in 1988. He went on to compete at the 1992 Olympics.