'Crazy respect': Internet praises UFC legend Mark Coleman as he returns to gym days after saving parents from house fire

TOLEDO, OHIO: Mark Coleman, who has emerged as a hero after risking his life to rescue his parents from a harrowing house fire, is on the path of recovery as he hits the gym six days after the incident.

The UFC legend, who was hospitalized following the Ohio house fire on March 12, posted a video on Instagram on Monday, March 18, to update that he has been released from the hospital and that he is still recovering.

Mark Coleman says he's 'one of the luckiest men' in the world

Coleman, who became the UFC’s first heavyweight champion in 1997, said he is thankful to have survived the incident.

"God is great. I am healing up very well," he wrote in the caption, adding "My lungs are sore. My eyes are burnt but I’m very much alive and well."

Counting his blessings, he said in the video, "I’m one of the luckiest men in the world."

"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!” he added.

Mark Coleman says it is time for him 'to get back into a routine'

Following the tragic house fire, Coleman’s daughter, Morgan, wrote that her father was "battling for his life" after he rescued his parents, according to the New York Post.

He took to Instagram to share a video of himself in a gym and wrote, "I promise everybody I’m taking it easy but it’s time for me to get back into a routine."

"I have so many families; blood, wrestling, MMA, sober, hammer house, and more. I’m so blessed I am so grateful you have all made this recovery, amazingly easier, much faster, much more peaceful," he wrote.

"I am mentally strong, but like anything you need to do the work to stay strong Sober is cool carnivore diet, nine ancestral tenants hammer house for life," Coleman further said of his recovery.

Internet calls Mark Coleman a 'real-life hero'

After Coleman posted the video of him being back in the gym after he survived the tragic house fire, netizens expressed their respect for the retired martial artist.

"Crazy respect for Mark Coleman, not just a champ in the ring but a real-life hero too," a fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter) and another user wrote, "Enough to make a grown man cry."

"Welcome back champion," a fan tweeted while another wrote, "Bro was in this condition a few days ago now he’s in the gym, he’s crazy!"

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