A former MMA fighter is being remembered as a hero after tragically losing his life while rescuing four teenage girls from drowning in a lake.
Medet Zheenaliev, who competed in professional MMA fights in Russia, died this week at just 30 years old after jumping into dangerous waters at Lake Issyk-Kul in his native Kyrgyzstan, according to reports.
Zheenaliev had reportedly been spending time with friends near the massive lake when he noticed one of the girls struggling against a powerful current.
Without hesitation, the fighter and one of his friends rushed into the water to help.
Together, they managed to save all four girls and get them safely back to shore. But in a heartbreaking twist, Zheenaliev disappeared beneath the surface during the rescue and never came back up.
Divers later recovered his body from the bottom of Lake Issyk-Kul the following day. The lake is considered one of the deepest and largest lakes in the world.
Reports say authorities ruled his death a drowning during a rescue mission.
Fans and fellow fighters have since flooded social media with tributes honoring Zheenaliev’s final act of bravery.
While his MMA career was relatively short, many are now remembering him not for his record inside the cage — but for sacrificing his own life to save others.
Zheenaliev competed professionally from 2017 to 2019 and finished with a 2-2 record.
He made an impressive debut by defeating Vladimir Kravchuk with a first-round armbar submission. Just six months later, he followed it up with another first-round finish, knocking out Shamil Temirkhanov.
His third fight ended in a submission loss to Akhmadkhan Bokov, and after a long break from competition, he returned for one final bout in August 2019. That fight ended after a doctor stopped the contest in the first round.
According to Tapology, Zheenaliev had also been scheduled for another fight later that year against Samray Shaykhamodov, but the matchup was ultimately canceled for unknown reasons.
He died a HERO! Bless his Soul!