MMA fighter Medet Zheenaliev lost his life after carrying out a heroic act at Lake Issyk-Kul, in Kyrgyzstan.
While spending the day with some friends, he saw four teenagers who had been trapped by the strong current and could not make it back to shore. Without hesitation, he jumped into the water to help them.
Zheenaliev managed to rescue the young women together with another person who also helped in the improvised operation. However, after getting them to safety, the fighter disappeared beneath the water and did not resurface.
Emergency teams launched a search and found his body hours later, confirming that he had drowned during the rescue.
The news caused enormous shock in the world of mixed martial arts and in his home country. Many remembered him as a hero for having given his life to save others.