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The MMA community was recently rocked by devastating news from Russia, in which an unidentified 16-year-old competitor died after being struck in the head with a fatal blow.
Youngsters frequently fight in amateur MMA matches in some parts of the world. These competitions usually include adapted rules and safety measures to protect the wellbeing of the young competitors.
However, even while these laws exist, they may not always be followed, especially in areas with weak government oversight. Unfortunately, this error led to disastrous outcomes during a mixed martial arts competition in Belogorsk, Russia's Amur region.
A 16-year-old participant in the Rodina Sports Club's Open MMA Cup reportedly passed away in the hospital after being admitted for intensive care following the loss.
It's important to note that amateur mixed martial arts combatants in this region between the ages of 16 and 18 are required by law to wear protective headgear. The referee and the event coordinator had apparently agreed when the young fighter who tragically lost his life asked if he might compete without a helmet.
The Russian MMA Union has launched an investigation into the causes of this incident.