Polish MMA fighter dies in Ukraine – media

The Polish MMA Federation has announced the death of fighter Tomasz Walentek, who it says passed away while fighting as a mercenary on behalf of Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Walentek was a promising amateur fighter and, according to RIA, won a tournament in the Polish city of Gliwice in 2021 but had recently been fighting as part of the International Ukrainian Defense Legion – a group comprised of foreign mercenaries.

“It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Tomko, who, as a Polish volunteer, fought in the International Ukrainian Defense Legion and died there,” the Polish MMA Federation said of Walentek in a social media message.