The mixed martial arts community has rallied together in an extraordinary display of support following the death of Jeff Brady. He was a longtime PFL staffer who gave his life while saving two drowning children in Arizona.
Brady, 51, was near his home at Hidden Shores Resort in Yuma on Saturday when he witnessed two young boys, ages 10 and 12, being swept away by the current in a river. Without hesitation, he plunged into the water to help them reach safety.
According to the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, “two juveniles were pulled off the shallows by the current.” Brady “swam out to the juveniles and kept them above water” until rescue personnel could arrive with a vessel. The boat crew “was able to remove the juveniles from the waterway,” saving both children’s lives.
Tragically, Brady himself began struggling in the water during the rescue effort. The sheriff’s office reported that “the male was struggling to stay afloat, and was observed going underwater and did not resurface.” Despite an extensive search involving dive teams from multiple agencies, Brady was found and “pronounced deceased on scene” at 7:20 PM.
The heroic act has sparked an outpouring of support from across the combat sports world. UFC President Dana White made a significant $10,000 donation to a GoFundMe campaign established for Brady’s family, while the PFL contributed an even larger sum of $20,000.
In their official statement, the PFL said, “Professional Fighters League honors the memory, and loss, of longtime teammate, Jeff Brady. Jeff heroically gave his life while saving two drowning children in a river near his home in Arizona. Jeff was a long time partner, teammate, and friend of PFL. PFL’s thoughts and prayers are with the Brady family.”
The fundraising campaign has gained tremendous momentum, raising more than $87,000 as donations continue to pour in from the MMA community and beyond.
“Jeff Brady made the ultimate sacrifice when he gave his life to save two young boys, ages 10 and 12, from drowning in the river,” the campaign description reads. “Jeff didn’t hesitate, he saw children in danger and acted without a second thought. That’s just who he was…. a protector, a provider, and a selfless hero.”
The page reveals that Brady was caring for his 84-year-old blind father, along with his partner Elen, who had left her job in San Diego to become a full-time caregiver. “Elen had left her job in San Diego to become the full-time caregiver for Jeff’s father, dedicating her days to love and service,” the campaign notes.
Perhaps no one has been more affected by the loss than Brady’s twin brother Greg, who shared a heartbreaking message on social media just hours after receiving the devastating news.
“There are no words to describe the pain of losing someone who has been a part of me since the beginning,” Greg wrote. “We shared everything…. laughter, struggles, dreams, and memories I’ll hold onto forever. My heart is broken, but I am also incredibly proud of the man he was and the hero he’ll always be remembered as.”
Greg’s message concluded with a call for others to honor his brother’s memory through their own actions: “If you knew him, honor him by living with the same courage and kindness he showed every day. Heaven gained a Viking Angel.”
The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident, though the heroic nature of Brady’s actions has already been firmly established. His sacrifice ensured that two young lives were saved, creating a legacy that will resonate far beyond the MMA community he served with dedication and loyalty.
