MMA fighter killed in bear attack in Canada

The Indian Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Hrishikesh Koloth was killed in a rare bear attack early this month in Canada.

Hrishikesh was working at a remote uranium exploration site in northern Saskatchewan on May 8 when the incident took place.

The 27-year-old from Kerala had relocated to Canada three years ago to live with his older brother, Arjun, in Penticton, British Columbia.

He was employed as a contract technician at the Zoo Bay property operated by Vancouver-based UraniumX Discovery Corp, near Nordbye Lake, approximately 850 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.

Following the attack, a civilian worker on the site shot and killed the bear.

Koloth was also a passionate boxer and had been actively training for over a decade with dreams of making it to the UFC. His untimely death cut short both his professional aspirations and his promising athletic journey.

“That was his dream. That's why he came here. He wanted to fight in the UFC,” Arjun was quoted as saying by CBC.

UraniumX Discovery Corp CEO Esen Boldkhuu said in a statement, “We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss. The safety and well-being of our employees, contractors, and all personnel working on our projects is, and will always remain, our highest priority.”

Koloth’s death is only the fourth recorded incident. The last incident registered was back in August 2020.

Meanwhile, the remains of the bear were sent to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon for a necropsy to help investigators determine the bear’s physical condition, health, and any other evidence that might explain the incident.