MMA fighter Medet Zheenaliev dead at 30 after helping save four teenagers in heroic lake rescue
MMA fighter Medet Zheenaliev tragically drowned at the age of 30 while attempting to save four teenagers in Kyrgyzstan. He and a friend jumped into Lake Issyk-Kul after noticing one of the girls in distress, successfully rescuing the group. Unfortunately, Zheenaliev did not resurface, and his body was recovered the following day.
- ▪Medet Zheenaliev died while rescuing four teenagers from drowning in Lake Issyk-Kul.
- ▪He was 30 years old and had a record of 2-2 in his MMA career.
- ▪Zheenaliev's last fight took place in August 2019, and he had competed in four MMA bouts from 2017 to 2019.
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MMA MMA fighter Medet Zheenaliev dead at 30 after helping save four teenagers in heroic lake rescue By Matt Ehalt Published May 16, 2026, 8:30 a.m. ET MMA fighter Medet Zheenaliev died of drowning at the age of 30 on Tuesday after saving four teenage girls from drowning in his home country of Kyrgyzstan, according to The Sun. Zheenaliev, who competed out of Russia, reportedly had been enjoying time with friends at Lake Issyk-Kul when he and a friend jumped into the lake after noticing one of the girls in trouble. One individual had been pulled under the water by a strong current, according to local reports cited by The Sun, and Zheenaliev and his friend helped the quartet, with the four teenagers returning to shore. Medet Zheenaliev competed in four MMA fights.
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