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A fireman was killed with a single blow to the head during his first kick-boxing match.
Daniel Edmonds, 26, was competing in his first full contact tournament but was floored by his opponent.
He was taken to hospital suffering from a severe head injury but died in the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in central London, two days later.
The firefighter, based at Watford fire station, was said to have had a promising career ahead of him.
His family said: "Dan was our rock. A wonderful son, brother, boyfriend, uncle and friend. He gave us so much love and we loved him more than we can describe in words. Along with his girlfriend, Michelle, Dan had already started making big plans for their future.
"He spent his whole life helping other people and is still doing so now. Dan had registered to be an all organ donor and he has been able to donate seven life-saving organs and three life-changing organs."
Mr Edmonds, of Abbots Langley, joined Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service in August last year, and after completing his training moved to Red Watch at Watford in January. The county's chief fire officer, Roy Wilsher, said: "For all of us the loss is huge and we are all grieving."
The fight took place at a nightclub in Hemel Hempstead on Sunday.
