Who is UFC Hall of Famer and Ohio State alum Mark Coleman?

Mark Coleman, a UFC Hall of Famer and Ohio State University alumnus, is currently hospitalized in Toledo after rushing into a house fire to save his parents and his family’s dog Tuesday morning.

Here's what you need to know about Mark Coleman and his connections to Columbus:

Who is Mark Coleman?

Mark Coleman is an MMA fighter and wrestler who grew up in Fremont, Ohio. He got his start wrestling in high school before attending college at Miami University. In 1988 during his senior year he transferred to Ohio State University where he went on to win an NCAA Division I wrestling championship.

After college, he spent a few years wrestling in the Olympics and the FILA World Wrestling Championships before joining the UFC in 1996.

More on Mark Coleman: UFC Hall of Famer, former Ohio State wrestler Mark Coleman 'battling for his life'

In 1997, Coleman became UFC's first heavyweight champion and later coined the term "ground-and-pound," which refers to a mixed martial arts technique in which a wrestler holds their opponent flat on their back while delivering punches and elbows to their head and body. For this, Coleman was nicknamed the "Godfather of Ground & Pound".

Coleman was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2008.

He continued to fight in the UFC and other MMA competitions until he announced his official retirement in 2013. His final record is 16-10.

What is Mark Coleman's connection to Richard Strauss scandal?

Coleman wrestled for OSU while Richard Strauss, a university physician who sexually abused 177 male students, was still working for the school. Coleman said Strauss touched him inappropriately during a physical, according to a video produced by Strauss's accusers.

Coleman was also a wrestler while U.S. Congressman Jim Jordan was an assistant wrestling coach at OSU. He told the Wall Street Journal in 2018 that Jordan had to have known about Strauss's abuse.

“There’s no way unless he’s got dementia or something that he’s got no recollection of what was going on at Ohio State," Coleman said. "I have nothing but respect for this man, I love this man, but he knew as far as I’m concerned."

Jordan denied that he knew anything about Strauss's abuse and said Coleman and other wrestlers who said otherwise were not telling the truth.

What happened to Mark Coleman this week?

On Tuesday morning, Coleman rushed into a burning home in Fremont to save his parents and his family's dog, Hammer. He was life-flighted to a hospital in Toledo, where images of him intubated where taken and shared by family members on social media.

News of his condition was first shared by his daughter, Morgan Coleman, on Instagram.

"As many know, our dad was involved in a house fire early this morning along with his parents and beloved dog, Hammer," Morgan Coleman wrote. "He managed to carry both of his parents out of the house but despite his best efforts was not able to save (our dog) Hammer. He was life-flighted to the hospital where he is currently battling for his life after this heroic act.

"Our father has always been our hero and means the world to us. He is and always will be a fighter. The strongest (and) bravest man I know. Please continue to pray for him and our family during this extremely difficult time. We will miss our sweet Hammer so deeply.

"Thank you for all the love and support. Hammer house for life."

Mark Coleman is a former Ohio State wrestling All American

A state champion at St. Joseph Central Catholic High School, Coleman was a two-time wrestling All-American in the 190-pound weight class for Miami (Ohio) and Ohio State.

As a junior at Miami (Ohio), Coleman finished in fourth place at the Division I finals at 190. The two-time Mid-American Conference champion finished with 19 wins in 24 bouts for the Redhawks. Coleman transferred to Ohio State for a senior season and finished with 50 wins in 52 bouts. He left an NCAA champion at 190.

Coleman later served as an assistant coach for the Buckeyes.

On Wednesday, Ohio State wrestling posted a message regarding Coleman on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Sending out thoughts and prayers to Buckeye Wrestling legend Mark Coleman and his family," the account posted.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Who is UFC Hall of Famer and Ohio State alum Mark Coleman?