Russian MMA fighter dies of food poisoning

Mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Alexander Pisarev of Russia has died at the age of 33, reportedly from food poisoning.

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, per Newsweek.

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

On its page on the Russian social media site VKontakte, the Tomahawk team confirmed Pisarev's passing on October 30 without listing a cause of death.

"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.

The source of TASS said that the athlete's wife has also been hospitalized due to health problems.

Pisarev's father, Igor Vladimirovich, reportedly told the SHOT Telegram channel that he lived in an apartment in Moscow, with his son and his wife, and that he found Pisarev unconscious at around 4 p.m. local time on Sunday after returning home from a walk with their dog.

"I looked into the room — Alexander and his wife were sleeping. I came closer and then realized that my son was no longer breathing," the athlete's father said, adding that Alexander's wife was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.

Pisarev's relatives told SHOT that he was completely healthy, with no chronic illnesses.

According to SHOT, an autopsy will be conducted, and Pisarev will be cremated.