A female MMA fighter has died after collapsing in the ring, but fight organizers say all competitors are 'prepared that they may be injured'

Advertisement
A female MMA fighter has died after collapsing in the ring, but fight organizers say all competitors are 'prepared that they may be injured'

Advertisement
Saeideh Aletaha
  • The organizers of an amateur MMA organization said that all competitors are "prepared that they may be injured" after a female athlete died following a collapse in the ring.
  • Saeideh Aletaha, 26, died in hospital on Sunday morning after suffering a fatal brain injury during a K-1 bout Southampton, England, according to Sky.
  • "All competitors get in prepared that they may be injured," read a statement from the fight's organizers. "This is something not expected to happen 99.9% of the time. But it can."
  • Isobel Carnwath, a representative for the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, told Business Insider "there is no legal requirement in the UK for combat sports competitions to be regulated or licensed."
  • Hampshire Police told Sky that enquiries are ongoing. 
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The organizers of an amateur MMA organization said that all competitors are "prepared that they may be injured" after a female athlete died following a collapse in the ring.

Saeideh Aletaha, 26, died in hospital on Sunday morning after suffering a brain injury during her K-1 contest at Central Hall in Southampton, England the night before, according to Sky.

Emergency services were called to the fight, organized by the "Fast & Furious Fight Series," around 9 p.m. on Saturday after reports of a life-threatening injury.

Aletaha was taken to Southampton General Hospital four hours later, however passed away later that day, Sky reports.

Advertisement

"All competitors get in prepared that they may be injured," read a statement from the fight's organizers. "This is something not expected to happen 99.9% of the time. But it can, and in this we make the environment as safe as possible with pre and post medicals from a doctor, and full medical cover throughout with [a] doctor, [a] paramedic, and [an] ambulance on site alongside our experienced team of staff with numerous first aiders."

 

 

The statement continued: "Safety is not something ever skimped on in any of our 19 shows and all matches are made equal.

"Thoughts of course go out to all family, friends and team mates, if anyone needs any support please come to us or your coaches."

Advertisement

Lookborai, Aletaha's team, said: "Saeideh Aletaha was a lovely character with a beautiful soul. Her dedication to the sport was 110% traveling miles every day just to train.

"She found her place with us just a few months ago but has become apart of the family and will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family."

Isobel Carnwath, a representative for the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, told Business Insider "there is no legal requirement in the UK for combat sports competitions to be regulated or licensed."

She also added that the organization was "saddened to hear of the tragic death" and that "hearts go out to [Aletaha's] family and loved ones."

Hampshire Police did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment, but told Sky that enquiries are ongoing and that Aletaha's next of kin had been informed.

Advertisement

Read more:

Patrick Day, a 27-year-old American, has died from boxing injuries suffered in Saturday's fight

Boxing's doping scandals are 'tragic' in light of the sport's recent ring deaths, unbeaten heavyweight Adam Kownacki says

Khabib Nurmagomedov says recent ring deaths make him 'hate this sport in which we beat each other'

Argentine fighter Hugo Santillan, 23, becomes second boxer to die this week from injuries suffered in a fight

Advertisement
{{}}