When you’re 27 and chasing a dream, you’re supposed to be unstoppable. That’s the energy Hrishikesh Koloth carried—a fighter from Kerala, India, who’d relocated to Penticton, British Columbia with one singular focus: make it in the UFC. He was training hard, taking any fight offered, and had just landed a new boxing coaching gig set to start in June. Everything was falling into place.
On May 8, 2025, that trajectory ended in a remote corner of central Saskatchewan. Koloth, working as an independent contractor at a uranium exploration site roughly 50 miles northeast of Points North Landing, was attacked and killed by a black bear. It was a moment of brutal, senseless tragedy—the kind that rewrites a family’s story in seconds.
The bear was euthanized by someone on scene before emergency responders arrived. UraniumX Discovery Corp., the company Koloth was working for, temporarily halted field operations as authorities launched an investigation. CEO Esen Boldkhuu issued a statement emphasizing the company’s commitment to safety, but words can’t undo what happened.
What makes this harder to process is the portrait his brother, Arjun Koloth, painted of him. He describes a fighter who wasn’t afraid of anything—not bigger opponents, not short notice, not long odds. Win or lose, Hrishikesh just wanted to fight. That was the whole point of being here. That was the dream. For his family and everyone who knew him in the martial arts community, it’s a loss that doesn’t make sense. A young man with everything ahead of him, taken by chance in one terrible moment.
The region where this happened is home to both black and grizzly bears, and while fatal attacks remain uncommon, Saskatchewan authorities were reminded that day to reissue bear safety guidelines. It’s cold comfort to Hrishikesh’s loved ones, and a stark reminder that even in the pursuit of your biggest dreams, there are forces beyond your control.
About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
