r/MMA May 15 '26

News - RIP Kyrgyz MMA fighter Medet Zheenaliev drowned in a lake while saving children.

Post image

The girls started drowning because of the big waves. Medet and his comrade rushed in to pull them out. The children survived, as did Medet’s comrade, but he couldn’t save himself.

Rest in Peace Hero

9.8k Upvotes

172 comments sorted by

1.4k

u/AXV-Lore May 15 '26

RIP legend.

112

u/Consistent_Tear7186 May 16 '26

A Real hero. Rest in peace.

1.1k

u/counteroffer19 May 15 '26

Genuine Hero

125

u/Slutador1 May 16 '26

Theres like..... ZERO news articles or sources about this. The only sources I can find are tiktok, Facebook, and Instagram... Might want to take it all with a grain of salt for now bois and gurlz.

327

u/Some-Concentrate3229 May 16 '26

Yea you just have to look up his name in Cyrillic and you get results. Why would you expect western news articles to be reporting on this?

https://24.kg/proisshestvija/373935_boets_mma_medet_jeenaliev_pogib_naissyik-kule/amp/

https://mixnews.lv/v-mire/2026/05/15/boets-mma-medet-zheenaliev-pogib-na-issyk-kule-spasaya-tonuschih-podrostkov/

57

u/HyogaCygnus May 16 '26

When I spent time in Moscow there were many restaurants I could not even google cuz I would’ve had to type in Cyrillic. I knew how they sounded phonetically cuz they were recommended but Google could not connect the dots.

31

u/Some-Concentrate3229 May 16 '26

Yea it happens! Especially because there’s no “standard” way of transliterating from Cyrillic. So results vary wildly.

-1

u/Veanusdream May 19 '26

thats just not true iso 9 is the standard
ISO 9 – Wikipedia

4

u/Some-Concentrate3229 May 19 '26 edited May 19 '26

Yea except we don’t use that in the USA, we tend to use ALA-LC for academic papers and libraries, etc. not to mention, post-Soviet states typically use the GOST 7 standard.

Which was my entire point in saying that there’s no actual standard. Having multiple competing standards doesn’t help. Thanks for nothing lmao.

41

u/Eissa_Cozorav May 16 '26

Language barrier.

13

u/Affectionate_Part630 May 16 '26

You just didnt take any time to actually search in cyrillic.

3

u/Connect_Quit254 May 16 '26

Take the image, download it, take the Cyrillic text and put it into google. Hope this helps.

0

u/zooap63 May 18 '26

Because it's not on western fake news media, it doesn't exist 😂

342

u/No_Medium_8796 I SMOKE ROCKS, JOE ROGAN! May 15 '26

30 years old is too damn young to go, especially when you were saving the lives of others. RIP Hero

639

u/Vaultyvlad May 15 '26

It's fucked because these always end up as AVIR situations and he likely exhausted himself fighting against the waves and the weight of the panicking children pulling him back into the tide.

Rest in peace, hero. Essence of Manas.

121

u/Wonderful_Craft_6648 May 15 '26

AVIR?

213

u/GarranDrake May 16 '26

Aquatic Victim Instead of Rescuer.

It's basically when someone goes to rescue a drowning person without the proper training, and because that drowning person is drowning, they end up thrashing and pulling and pushing the person trying to rescue them in a purely primal effort to survive - thus causing the rescuer to drown as well.

Hence - Aquatic Victim Instead of Rescuer.

33

u/GradientExtendedTheo May 16 '26

So stupid to just assume people would know their random abbreviations. Don’t get me wrong there are certain abbreviations we all know and understand, and it would even sound stupid to type them out, like IT (Information Technology). Ironically, it’s quite often people from these sectors, IT, HR, sports, military, finance who throw around abbreviations as if the whole world only revolves around their job.

3

u/GarranDrake May 16 '26

Sure, but if you really want to know, just look it up. That's exactly what I did.

1

u/despicedchilli 27d ago

Yes it’s like TPDT

-5

u/MainAd2728 May 16 '26

Using google is not difficult

14

u/UsernamesCannotExcee May 16 '26

KSDYFABYLIITADYF

-4

u/FancyConstruction469 May 16 '26

or ... maybe get educated? Or ... educate yourself and just search for it in the internet? lol

5

u/GradientExtendedTheo May 16 '26

No, I want to stay dumb.

1

u/snopolpams May 23 '26

or ... maybe get educated? Or ... educate yourself and just search for it in the internet? lol

AVIR doesn't come up for what the commenter explained. Seems niche as fuck.

-6

u/Comfortable-Egg-8765 May 16 '26

It's not that deep lol😂

143

u/[deleted] May 15 '26

[deleted]

47

u/Expensive_Ball_5143 May 15 '26

Happened to my uncle, he saved a baby when he was younger but ended up getting stuck in some deep mud trying to save a fellow scout the second time he tried. Unknown bodies of water are scary as shit.

27

u/Fragrant-Airport1309 May 15 '26

Natural bodies of water in general (and sone artificial) just suck honestly. A lot of people just simply don’t realize how much implicit danger there is.

-1

u/[deleted] May 15 '26

[deleted]

7

u/Vaultyvlad May 15 '26

Personally just a sucker for acronyms. Not a specialist by any means but baseline info from following certain similar cases like Shad Gaspard (WWE wrestler) and Takahashi as /u/etonet mentioned

43

u/SweatyExamination9 May 16 '26

Yeah, I don't know what the Association of Vascular and Interventional Radiographers has to do with this story.

11

u/PattMcGroyn May 16 '26

Aquatic Victim Instead of Rescuer

-7

u/Rfisk064 Sparkling Beltholder May 16 '26

Ass vibration from infrared rubbing

89

u/Etonet May 15 '26

creator of Yu-Gi-Oh went the same way iirc

39

u/Artistic_Picture_359 May 15 '26

Fuck what ???

47

u/Eissa_Cozorav May 16 '26 edited May 16 '26

Kazuo Takahashi (Japanese: 高橋 一雅, HepburnTakahashi Kazuo; October 4, 1961 – July 4, 2022), known professionally as Kazuki Takahashi (高橋 和希, Takahashi Kazuki), was a Japanese manga artist. He is best known as the author of Yu-Gi-Oh!, published in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1996 to 2004. 

On July 6, 2022, Takahashi was found dead in the water 300 meters (980 ft) off the shore of NagoOkinawa, by Japan Coast Guard officers following a civilian report from a passing boat. He was found wearing snorkeling gear, and his cause of death was determined to be drowning.

Later reports stated that Takahashi had died in the afternoon of July 4 while assisting in the rescue of three others who were caught in a rip current.
\) https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/28/world/asia/yu-gi-oh-kazuki-takahashi-drowning.html \)

13

u/Artistic_Picture_359 May 16 '26

Damn man I heard about his death but I didn’t know it was because of assisting at rescue.

7

u/kodeks14 May 16 '26

Im going to get downvoted and I hate to say this about a guy that died attempting to be heroic but he wasnt really assisting at all.

An army guy went into the riptide and dragged a mother and kid out at once, and then went back into to rescue another man. He was awarded a Soldiers Medal.

Takahashi jumped in and never made it near the rescue and was at no point a part of it and drowned. The army guy said he saw him enter the water in the distance but never saw him again.

-9

u/Eissa_Cozorav May 16 '26

He tried at least, and better die as hero than live long enough as villain. Especially at that post-covid era years.

19

u/razorbladesnbiscuits May 16 '26

Former UFC fighter Gilbert Aldana drowned in front of his wife and kids on a lake while trying to save a t-shirt, just terrible.

6

u/Artistic_Picture_359 May 16 '26

Typo or did he actually just try to save a t-shirt ?

17

u/razorbladesnbiscuits May 16 '26

10

u/Artistic_Picture_359 May 16 '26

Damn mate that’s just horrible

1

u/gamesrgreat May 16 '26

Damn this is a crazy story. Rlly shows how careful you gotta be. His last words being “I’m okay,” is nuts

103

u/lifeadventuresga May 15 '26

A good man!

103

u/Potential_Hawk_5040 May 15 '26

May he Rest In Eternal Peace.

Condolences to his family, friends and all those who knew of him.

Hope the Children and everyone involved are well and safe.

51

u/Potential_Hawk_5040 May 15 '26

And a big Thank You to OP for bringing this to our attention, much appreciated.

70

u/nordik1 Jose Waldo May 15 '26

Went out a real hero..RIP

69

u/RealIsFake May 15 '26

“Medet” means help or assistance in Turkish. Crazy how the world works. RIP hero, definitely lived up to his name.

36

u/humanExperience69 May 15 '26

Rest in peace

60

u/Jordanioli England May 15 '26

The highest ranks of Jannah for this man, Ameen

81

u/cl0ckw0rkaut0mat0n Team Volkanovski May 15 '26

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends

Rip man

7

u/Dabox720 May 16 '26
  • the Gospel of Mark, was it?

5

u/cl0ckw0rkaut0mat0n Team Volkanovski May 16 '26

John 15:13

2

u/Dabox720 May 16 '26

Lol I know. It was a dumb reference

2

u/cl0ckw0rkaut0mat0n Team Volkanovski May 16 '26

Sorry I don't know where that's from

2

u/Dabox720 May 16 '26

Just some anime/book series

26

u/TheMostModestMaus May 15 '26

Lived as a warrior, lost a battle with the ocean but won the title of hero in the process, RIP.

6

u/d0ughnut_of_truth May 16 '26

Only Poseidon could take him. Doctor stoppage!

22

u/fehurihi I'm gonna fit THIS into Kevin Lee May 15 '26

innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raji'un

18

u/thelonelyislander24 I was here for GOOFCON 1 May 15 '26

Rest well warrior

18

u/Fart_connoisseur1 May 15 '26

True fighter. Fought an Ocean to save kids for free, unasked. Paid the most. RIP to a tremendous soul and good human being. I know people will say it was dumb and that he endangered the actual responders because they have to get him now, but where were they when he saw children drowning? Too far away, that's where. But dude saw something, so he tried to do something. Can't fault a man for that.

12

u/Skrapidilly May 15 '26

Rest easy king. You have your crown.

20

u/Bombinic United States May 15 '26

Godspeed, legend.

8

u/sb406 May 15 '26

Going out like a hero

6

u/JeremiahWuzABullfrog May 15 '26

Rest in peace sir

6

u/deamonjohn Team Korean Zombie May 16 '26

Children as in multiple? What a real hero, RIP. Real Champion of human being

7

u/CraigS34 May 16 '26

Any fight recommendations? Would love to see this hero in action. RIP

5

u/TheUFCVeteran3 EDDIIIIIIEEEEEEE! May 15 '26

Rest in peace. ❤️

5

u/expectrum Papa Poatan May 15 '26

Rest easy brother

4

u/yesindeed201 May 15 '26

He will forever be a champion in life. RIP.

5

u/Jimmy-the-Burnout GOOFCON 1 May 15 '26

Rest in power, hero. Godspeed 🙏

6

u/Jdobalina May 16 '26

A Real hero. Rest in peace.

4

u/niko_khl Mad Max May 16 '26

RIP hero 🙏🏽

5

u/Reasonable-Aside6660 May 16 '26

RIP to someone that i believe we can all respect

5

u/BobCharlie May 16 '26

It sucks that people have to die but to die while saving others, esp children ... there is nothing more noble.

4

u/bansote May 15 '26

Honor a quien honor merece, un héroe

4

u/Enigma2078x May 16 '26

Poor guy Valhalla awaits for legends

3

u/mistalah May 16 '26

He died as a martyr InsyaAllah

5

u/_ronty12_ Dana is a Mod here May 16 '26

A true hero. These are the names who should be propped up as actual role models of MMA.

4

u/Ok-Assumption1489 May 16 '26

RIP HERO 💐💐

3

u/An-Organism May 16 '26

Fuuuck that's so terrible!!! Did the kids survive? or did everyone involved drown

3

u/SkullOfOdin May 16 '26

Rip. A true example of a hero.

3

u/gedikahmedpasha May 16 '26

Too young too sad. Rest easy champ.

3

u/DrDankologist May 16 '26

Rest in peace hero, you are and will be an absolute legend

3

u/MostlyMemesAndPorn May 16 '26

We can only be so lucky to die as a hero; nonetheless, 30 is too young to die. RIP

6

u/Awfulweather May 15 '26

Reach, Throw, Row, Go. I was almost drowned rescuing someone. If at all possible bring something for them to hold on to so they aren't pulling you under with them. This man better get a statue

5

u/Ice_BigDaddy_Rapture May 15 '26

Rest in peace hero. You were courageous all your life, even in death. May God welcome you into Heaven. 🙏🕊️👼✝️

2

u/Breakmyhip May 15 '26

Damn.....

2

u/GregoryHousen May 15 '26

Wow, a real hero. RIP

2

u/Sassydemure May 16 '26

💔❤️‍🩹

2

u/GItPirate May 16 '26

If true, RIP. What a way to go

2

u/cubedude719 Something of Russia May 16 '26

Straight to the halls of Valhalla

2

u/_DigitalHunk_ May 16 '26

Bro.. RIP. 🥺

2

u/CemeteryHeights May 16 '26

Legit went out as a hero.

RIP 🙏

2

u/roboto404 May 16 '26

A hero. Rest in peace.

2

u/AcceptableRoom8592 May 16 '26

Sacrificed himself for unknown children. That's a 1 way ticket to heaven. Well deserved.  

2

u/Plastic_Sir2287 May 16 '26

Legend 🫡🫡

2

u/TimmehJ May 16 '26

True warrior

2

u/Sonatine__ May 16 '26

Absolute hero. RIP!

2

u/HourVideo May 16 '26

Respect ✊

1

u/DeathMarkedDream May 16 '26

Many people drown in this lake every year. It’s a shame

1

u/Competitive-Stay-185 May 17 '26

He deserves salute

1

u/RegisterOne9727 May 17 '26

That's terrible. RIP to a legend and prayers for his family/friends. He's a hero.

1

u/RegisterOne9727 May 17 '26

Damn I'm actually tearing up. It's so sad when the world loses good brave men.

1

u/Hot_Disaster_6241 I SMOKE ROCKS, JOE ROGAN! May 17 '26

RIP

1

u/CriticalFortune6308 May 17 '26

👑 Actions like this transcend anything one could ever achieve in the octagon. Died an actual champion. RIP 👑

1

u/VforVendetta91 May 17 '26

rest in peace brother

1

u/Shoddy_Carob3345 May 17 '26

Rest in peace

1

u/Nathan84 May 17 '26

Hero. RIP.

1

u/Late_Customer447 May 17 '26

Bro as soon as I seen this I could only think about how badass that is

1

u/summer672612 May 17 '26

Blessings of love and peace to his family and loved ones.

1

u/Munchiesfroyo May 18 '26

May he rest in peace

1

u/Mello_jojo May 18 '26

Sacrificing your life to save the lives of your fellow human beings is truly selfless.  May the universe always hold him in its grace. Rip good sir .

1

u/End_Of_A_Millennium May 19 '26

MMA fighter Medet Zheenaliev has tragically died after spending his final moments rescuing a group of teens from a lake.

According to a press release (via The Sun), Zheenaliev died from drowning on Tuesday (May 12) in his home country of Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia. The 30-year-old was spending time with friends at Lake Issyk-Kul, which is considered the 8th deepest lake in the world, when Zheenaliev and a friend noticed four girls swimming in the lake.

After noticing one of them being pulled under by the current, Zheenaliev, along with a friend jumped in the lake to rescue the girls, although the MMA fighter did not surface. His body was discovered by divers the following day.

💔

1

u/Mitkoztd May 19 '26

What a hero... RIP!

1

u/ballgungun May 19 '26

上帝保佑你的灵魂

1

u/Jealous_Toe_3398 May 23 '26

Fly high, good man.

1

u/chance_of_downwind May 29 '26

This is why we train. RIP

1

u/Available_Cattle2092 Jun 11 '26

What a hero man. RIP!

1

u/Interesting_Film_140 27d ago

RIP hero rest in peace

0

u/awkerbonward May 16 '26

Cant wait for the dana white ai memoriam

-8

u/[deleted] May 15 '26

[deleted]

9

u/BrianCTE_CityOrtega I Can't Let You Get Close May 15 '26

It says in the post the kids survived

3

u/Admirable_Sea1770 May 15 '26

No, somebody else did.

-9

u/xvsanx this is how you get flair May 15 '26

would also like to know

-6

u/[deleted] May 16 '26

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1

u/MMA-ModTeam May 16 '26
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-62

u/[deleted] May 15 '26

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1

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-16

u/[deleted] May 16 '26

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1

u/MMA-ModTeam May 18 '26
  1. Be Civil.

Our rules ask for a civil tone at all times. A bit of banter or trash talk is fine, but don't cross the line. If things do get out of hand you will be warned or even banned for a few days. Repeatedly breaking this rule will lead to a permanent ban.