Alexander Pisarev was 33
Russian MMA star Alexander Pisarev has died at the age of 33 from reported food poisoning from eating watermelon.
Pisarev, whop trained at Moscow’s Tomahawk team, amassed a professional record of 3-2 in his career and reached the final of the MMA European Championships.
Tomahawk paid tribute to their fighter with a statement which said: “My brother, my friend, my student! Words cannot express the extent of the loss.
“Alexander Pisarev is the standard of friendship, decency and courage of a Russian person. I and we will miss you!!! Rest in peace our brother.”
The 33-year-old was found unconscious in his apartment on Sunday by his father, Igor Vladimirovich.
Speaking to local media, Vladimirovich told Pravda: “I looked into the room — Alexander and his wife were sleeping. I came closer and then realised that my son was no longer breathing.
“There were fractures of the fingers after the last fights, but this is nothing. We all eat the same food, we live together.”
Despite Vladimirovich’s claim that they all eat the same meal, an unnamed member of the Tomahawk team told Russian news agency Tass that the cause of death was food poisoning.
“Alexander Pisarev died in his sleep and did not have any chronic health problems,” they said.
Pravda also reported that Pisarev may have died after eating the watermelon however he is believed to have eaten other foods before passing away. The fighter’s wife was also allegedly hospitalised during the ordeal.
According to Heathline, watermelon and honeydew melon have a high risk of causing food poisoning as they contain listeria bacteria which can grow on the fruit and spread to the flesh.
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