An MMA star tragically died at age 33 after eating a watermelon.
Alexander Pisarev, of Russia, was a champion in hand-to-hand combat and grappling, while also being the finalist in the MMA European Championships.
He fought five fights in the MMA, securing three victories and two losses. His last professional fight was in February 2020, when he lost to Maksim Usoyan, also from Russia.
After hearing the tragic news of Pisarev’s passing, people took to social media and paid tribute.
One fan wrote: “So sad. RIP.”
A second said: “Rest in peace. Condolences to the family.”
Pisarev’s Tomahawk team also paid tribute in a heartfelt statement.
It read: “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.”
According to Russia’s state-run news agency Tass, via Newsweek, an unnamed teammate from Pisarev’s Tomahawk team said the athlete died in his sleep and that he had no chronic health issues.
The alleged source also said Pisarev’s wife had also been hospitalized due to health problems, which was also supported by the fighter’s relatives.
The MMA star’s father, Igor Vladimirovich, reportedly told the SHOT Telegram channel that Pisarev was found unconscious in the afternoon.
“I looked into the room – Alexander and his wife were sleeping. I came closer and then realized that my son was no longer breathing,” Igor recounted.
His father added: “There were finger fractures after previous fights, but this is nothing. We all eat the same food, we live together.”
Several media outlets, including Pravda, suggest Pisarev died after eating a watermelon along with his wife. However, they also ate other products.
A source from Pisarev’s Tomahawk reportedly said: “According to preliminary data, death was the result of food poisoning.”
Keepfoodsafe.org says if a watermelon is left out too long or exposed to bacteria, it can spread germs and bacteria, causing illness.
Contamination can happen at any stage of the farming and distribution process.
Popular Science reports: “Heaps of any fluid-rich fruit could kill you. Cells inundated by water expand to normalize their electrolyte balance. Swelling like this in the brain can damage nerve cells and pinch off the oxygen supply.”
It was reported that an autopsy would officially confirm Pisarev’s cause of death, with the Moscow Region Investigative Committee stating: “In Balashikha, an investigation was organized into the death of an athlete as a result of poisoning.
“Investigators, with the participation of a forensic specialist, are conducting an additional inspection of the scene, confiscating items relevant to the investigation, and planning a forensic chemical examination.”