CAUSE OF DEATH: MMA fighter, Alexander Pisarev, has tragically died at the age of 33 from eating a “poisoned” watermelon

Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that MMA fighter Alexander Pisarev has tragically passed away at the age of 33 from eating a “poisoned” watermelon. (Read More Here).

An unnamed teammate from Pisarev's Tomahawk team told Russia's state-run news agency Tass that Pisarev died in his sleep, and that he didn't have any chronic health issues.

"According to preliminary data, death was the result of food poisoning," the source from Pisarev's team 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 team's statement said.

Melons do not naturally contain bacteria which can make you sick, however their outer skin can sometimes become contaminated as they are grown close to the ground.

They can also become contaminated during and after harvest from handling, storing and transporting. 

A recent Salmonella outbreak in Norway, which left 20 people ill, was believed to be caused by watermelons, while similar cases in the UK earlier this year were linked to honeydew, cantaloupe and galia melons originating from Costa Rica or Honduras.

Relatives of Pisarev insist he was in good health and obtained no chronic diseases.

An autopsy will determine the cause of his death, with the Moscow Region Investigative Committee saying: '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.'

Pisarev, a former Moscow champion in hand-to-hand combat and grappling, reached the final of the MMA European Championships and fought under promotional banners such as Absolute Championship Berkut and Fight Nights Global.

Russian officials have since launched an investigation into the cause of Pisarev’s death.

“In Balashikha, an investigation was organized into the death of an athlete as a result of poisoning,” the Moscow Region Investigative Committee said in a statement. “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.”

Pisarev’s Tomahawk team later confirmed the athlete’s death in a statement, but did not list a cause or give any further details.